Lively, entertaining reviews of, and essays on, old and newer films and everything relating to them, written by professional author William Schoell.

Thursday, February 3, 2011

KILLER SHREWS


KILLER SHREWS (1959). Director: Ray Kellogg.

Captain Thorne Sherwood (James Best) comes to make a pick-up at an isolated island and encounters Professor Craigis (Baruch Lumet) and his daughter Ann (Ingrid Goude), as well as her ex-fiance Jerry (Ken Curtis) and the nerdy Dr. Baines (Gordon McLendon). He soon discovers why everyone seems so fidgety -- the island has been overrun by out-sized shrews who not only have a poisonous bite but are running out of food -- and guess who's next on the menu? Despite its low-budget and some highly inadequate amateur "performances," Killer Shrews is a neat little "B" monster flick, adroitly directed and with some lively tricked up creatures to boot. James Best is fine, and the climax is a nail-biter. NOTE: This played on a double-bill with The Giant Gila Monster, which was also directed by Ray Kellogg.

Verdict: Lots of fifties-type fun! ***

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