Customer Reviews

The Killer Shrews / The Giant Gila Monster (Color Special Edition Double Feature)

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

From the folks that brought us the colorized dvds of NOTLD, Carnival of Souls, Reefer Madness, House on Haunted Hill and Plan 9 from Outer Space, you can now add The Killer Shrews / The Giant Gila Monster to the list. First off, this is a 2 disc set. Disc 1 contains both movies colorized, while the second disc contains the BW versions with extras. The extras include Giant Gila trailer (in anamorphic 16x9!), info on gilas and shrews, a weird video of a squirrel (?!) and colorized trailers for the titles I listed in the first sentence. Now you're probably wondering, how is the quality on these. I have two copies of the Killer Shrews already and the print on this is by far the best I've seen. Sure it has some print damage here and there, but this by far the sharpest I've seen both movies. If anything, get the disc set for the BW versions as I doubt any better copies are out there. The audio is clear however some hiss is present. As for the colorized versions, they look the same as the other movies if you have seen them. The best way I can describe is that it's not quite realistic, but more of a comic book feel to it. It's not far fetched in how the colors are used as they try their best to make it realistic, but something about the colorization still doesn't seem real. But, they are definitely interesting to check out.

Overall, I HIGHLY recommend this set. I've been waiting for years for a SE Killer Shrews disc and this is it in my opinion.

although I am not a fan of colorization, this looks pretty good. The movies themselves are pure cornball, but they do bring back memories. I also like that you have the option of watching either black and white or color. If you are a fan of b grade horror movies, this set will not dissapoint.

Cheesy, horrible special effects. The killer shrews are large dogs with pieces of carpet on them. If you are a fan of cheesy b horror/sci fi movies of the 50s and 60s, you will love this! The plot isn't the best. In fact, there is nothing that's really done well with this movie. But it is great for a few laughs!

Ive had two different versions of these two films for many years now, the quality was very poor, both video and soundtrack, I took a chance on this "LEGEND FILMS" set,
MAN! AM I GLAD I DID!
I honestly believe this is the best quality any company has ever released of these classic old movies, both video and soundtrack,

killer shrews has a 30 second video glitch when the man is trapped in the tree by the killer shrews, but it is still the highest over all quality of any other release, the movie plays fine after that,

I know some people want just black and white like the origional
release, no problem, with this set you have the best of both worlds,
one disc in black and white, or the other disc colorized,

you watch the film the way you think it is more enjoyable!

Out of all the different sets that have been offered, THIS IS THE SET YOU WANT !!!

thank you again, "LEGEND FILMS" !!!

for a job well done.

great bad horror film! terrible, hillarious, and interesting due to the ridiculous premise, plot, and acting. to anyone that loves watching crappy but entertaining old horror flicks this one is highly recommended!

On the back of the case for these Legend Films DVD's, it states "The Killer Shrews has been beautifully restored". If so, why didn't they use that print on the DVD? What is on the disc is the worst example of a "restored" film I have ever seen. There are multiple bad splices, a section of film with extreme damage, and while the actual picture quality is sharper there is just too much minor damage(lines, etc.). If they are going to "restore" a film, they should at least start with a decent print. I've seen a print of this on a budget 50-movie pack that didn't have the splices and damage that this had(although the picture wasn't as sharp). This is in full screen and I understand it was filmed that way. The print for The Giant Gila Monster is better. It looks like it has been cleaned up but I wouldn't call it a restoration. The picture quality is sharper and there are no bad splices. This is a full screen version of an originally widescreen film. I understand Image has a widescreen version. Legend continues its tradition of releasing good films in multilated form, showing a complete lack of caring for the film and for the consumer. I was hoping for a good release of these B/W films, but my hopes were again dashed by Legend. If they could just manage to put out a decent release of the B/W films, I could put up with their despicable colorization of them(of which I never have and never will watch a colorized film). The films themselves, I have no problems with.

Legend Films present "THE KILLER SHREWS/THE GIANT GILA MONSTER" (1959) (143 mins) (Fully Restored/Dolby Digitally Remastered) --- now in COLOR and Glorious Black and White --- with Legend Films to restore, colorize and release the earliest black and white films--- a patented coloring and remastering process makes the picture perfect more vivd than ever .

"THE KILLER SHREWS" (1959) (69 mins) --- Under Ray Kellogg (Director), Ken Curtis (Producer), Jay Simms (Screenwriter), Wilfrid M. Cline (Cinematographer), Harry Bluestone (Composer (Music Score), Emil Cadkin (Composer (Music Score), Aaron Stell (Editor), Louise Caldwell (Set Designer), Earl Snyder (Sound/Sound Designer), Ben Chapman (Production Manager) - - - - - Our story is intriguing: a scientist experiments with rodents, who turn into giant mutants, running loose on a island of seven people, including his daughter --- Ingrid Goude is good as the lone female who temporarily becomes the object of affection of two men, a drunkard (Ken Curtis) and a seaman (James Best). But the romantic entanglements soon dissipate when the giant shrews, seeking food, start gnawing at the house of the islanders --- When their food supply runs out, the creatures turn cannibalistic --- This theme pre-dates "The Birds" (1963), "Night of the Living Dead" (1968), even "Signs" (2002) --- this is an enjoyable campy film, a must have for any collector.

the cast includes:
James Best ... Thorne Sherman
Ingrid Goude ... Ann Craigis
Ken Curtis ... Jerry Farrell
Gordon McLendon ... Dr. Radford Baines
Baruch Lumet ... Dr. Marlowe Craigis
Judge Henry Dupree ... 'Rook' Griswold
Alfredo DeSoto ... Mario

Our second feature on this double bill is - "THE GIANT GILA MONSTER" (1959) (74 mins) --- Under Ray Kellogg (Director / Screenwriter), Ken Curtis (Producer), Jay Simms (Screenwriter),Wilfrid M. Cline (Cinematographer), Jack Marshall (Composer (Music Score), Aaron Stell (Editor), Gordon McLendon (Executive Producer), Louise Caldwell (Set Designer), Earl Snyder (Sound/Sound Designer), Ralph Hammeras (Special Effects), Wee Risser (Special Effects), Ben Chapman (Production Manager) - - - - This is one of several monster films made at this time that mixes teenagers/hot rods and rock and roll --- A small town in Texas is invaded by a giant lizard, eating people, few victims are from car wrecks and a tanker crash, the lizard forcing the vehicles off the road --- The lizard interrupts a party and dance being held in a barn, featuring most of the town's teenagers --- This is one of the films that were made during the period when Monsters were animated and then magnified because of the low budget the film producers had to work with --- check out the old Hot Rod cars of the 1930's with rumble seats and the 1959 Dodge car which the Sheriff is driving --- this is a film to view and enjoy!

Don Sullivan ... Chase Winstead
Fred Graham ... Sheriff Jeff
Lisa Simone ... Lisa
Shug Fisher ... Old Man Harris
Bob Thompson ... Mr. Wheeler
Janice Stone ... Missy Winstead
Ken Knox ... Horatio Alger 'Steamroller' Smith
Gay McLendon ... Mom Winstead
Don Flournoy ... Gordy
Cecil Hunt ... Mr. Compton
Stormy Meadows ... Agatha Humphries
Howard Ware ... Ed Humphries
Pat Reeves ... Rick
Jan McLendon ... Jennie
Jerry Cortwright ... Bob

SPECIAL FEATURES:
1. Original Black and White Versions
2. More About Gila Monsters
3. More About Shrews
4. The Gila Monster Trailer
5. Squeak the Squirrel
6. Theatrical Trailers

Hats off and thanks to Barry B. Sandrew Ph.D. (Founder, COO & CTO) and his Legend Films Staff --- looking forward to more high quality releases from the vintage era of the '20s, '30s & '40s --- order your copy now from Amazon where there are plenty of copies available on DVD --- if you enjoyed this title, why not check out Legend Films where they are experts in releasing long forgotten films and treasures to the collector --- all my heroes have been cowboys!

Total Time: 143 mins on DVD ~ Legend Films Video. ~ (7/17/2007)