IMDb > Earth vs. the Spider (1958)

Earth vs. the Spider (1958) More at IMDbPro »


Overview

User Rating:
3.1/10   1,046 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
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Director:
Bert I. Gordon
Writers:
László Görög (screenplay) and
George Worthing Yates (screenplay) ...
(more)
Contact:
View company contact information for Earth vs. the Spider on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
September 1958 (USA) more
Genre:
Horror | Sci-Fi more
Tagline:
It Must Eat You to Live! more
Plot:
Teenagers from a rural community and their high school science teacher join forces to battle a giant mutant spider. full summary | add synopsis
Plot Keywords:
more
User Comments:
ONE OF BERT I. GORDON'S BEST MOVIES more (50 total)
US TV Schedule:
Sat. Nov. 213:30 AMAMC   

Cast

  (in credits order) (verified as complete)
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Directed by
Bert I. Gordon 
 
Writing credits
László Görög (screenplay) (as Laszlo Gorog) and
George Worthing Yates (screenplay)

Bert I. Gordon (story)

Produced by
Samuel Z. Arkoff .... executive producer
Bert I. Gordon .... producer
James H. Nicholson .... executive producer
Henry Schrage .... assistant producer
 
Original Music by
Albert Glasser 
 
Cinematography by
Jack A. Marta (director of photography) (as Jack Marta)
 
Set Decoration by
William F. Calvert  (as Bill Calvert)
 
Makeup Department
Kay Shea .... hair stylist
Allan Snyder .... makeup artist (as Allen Snyder)
 
Production Management
Marty Moss .... production supervisor
 
Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Marty Moss .... assistant director
John W. Rogers .... assistant director
 
Art Department
James Harris .... property master (as Jim Harris)
Walter E. Keller .... set designer (as Walter Keller)
 
Sound Department
Al Overton .... sound recordist
Bruce Schoengarth .... sound effects editor
 
Special Effects by
Bert I. Gordon .... special technical effects
Flora M. Gordon .... assistant technical effects
 
Camera and Electrical Department
Calvin A. Maehl .... chief set electrician (as Cal Maehl)
Del Nodine .... key grip
 
Costume and Wardrobe Department
Marjorie Corso .... costumer (as Marge Corso)
 
Editorial Department
Ronald Sinclair .... editorial supervisor
Paul Wittenberg .... assistant editor
 
Music Department
Albert Glasser .... conductor
Samuel Hoffman .... musician: theremin (uncredited)
 
Other crew
Jackie Blaisdell .... special designer
Paul Blaisdell .... special designer
Jim Dannaldson .... spider handler
Elayne Garnet .... script supervisor
Thol Simonson .... special devices
 
Crew verified as complete


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Additional Details

Also Known As:
Earth vs. the Giant Spider
The Spider (USA) (promotional title)
more
Runtime:
73 min
Country:
USA
Language:
English
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Mono
Certification:
USA:Approved (Certificate #19120) | USA:Not Rated (DVD) | UK:A (original rating)

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
This was filmed as "The Spider". Prior to completion, the title was changed to "Earth vs. The Spider" and that was used for the main title on the film itself. When The Fly (1958) became a blockbuster for 20th Century Fox, American International decided to ride on their success by changing the title back to simply "The Spider" on all advertising material. The main title on the film itself was never changed. more
Goofs:
Factual errors: The spider expert repeatedly refers to them as insects. more
Quotes:
Mr. Kingman: Well, speaking of spiders - are you sure rifles are just the thing? Insects have a pretty simple nervous system, sherriff. You could plug holes in one all day and never hit a vital spot. If you want to be on the safe side, call the pest control people in Springdale and have 'em send out all the DDT they can find. more

FAQ

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17 out of 19 people found the following comment useful.
ONE OF BERT I. GORDON'S BEST MOVIES, 1 November 1999
9/10
Author: TEXICAN-2 from Benbrook, Texas

For a craftsman who specialized in rather cheezy special effects, this was really one of his best movies.

You still see the holes in the superimposed spider's legs as it walks along, lines around it's body in some scenes, and the prop leg during the house sequence only dangles limply in front of the people, which is more humorous than scary. The spider's "growl" is a bit much. I don't know if arachnids make any audible noises, but, this one is very vocal.

The cave sets are pretty impressive, interlaced with real shots of Carlsbad Caverns. The story is fairly plausible, and Gene Roth is a trip as the town sheriff.

Albert Glasser gives us, again, a terrific score that adds to the terror of the story.

For it's theatrical release, the original title was shortened to just "The Spider". That would fit easily on any marquee.

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Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Earth vs. the Spider (1958)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
I think there's two giant spider movie from the 50's? sta2468
Teenage Couple falls in Spider Web RNE
Shriek JoJo31
Watch for Mr. Ziffel *spoilers* LCShackley
Earth v the Spider brand78
Mr. Kingman Koosh_King01
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