Beast from Haunted Cave (1959)

User Rating:

3.6/10   

Director:

Monte Hellman

Writers:

Charles B. Griffith (story)
Charles B. Griffith (screenplay)

Release Date:

October 1959 (USA)

Genre:

Crime | Horror | Romance

Tagline:

Horror Beyond Words!

Plot:

Gangster Alexander Ward, his girl friend, Gypsy Boulet, and two henchmen come to Deadwood, South Dakota with the idea of stealing a few gold bars...

Plot Keywords:

Cabin | Explosion | Cave | Ski Instructor | Heist

Cast

Michael Forest	...	Gil Jackson
Sheila Noonan	...	Gypsy Boulet (as Sheila Carol)
Frank Wolff	...	Alexander Ward
Richard Sinatra	...	Marty Jones
Wally Campo	...	Byron Smith
Linné Ahlstrand	...	Natalie, the bar-girl
Chris Robinson	...	The Beast / A Bartender (as Christopher Robinson)
Kay Jennings	...	Jill Jackson (Gil's sister)
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Jaclyn Hellman	...	Jill Jackson (scene added later for television showings)

Also Known As:

Creature from the Cave (USA) (working title)

Runtime:

75 min | Spain:71 min (DVD edition)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

USA:Unrated (video release) | USA:Approved (original rating) (certificate number not listed) | USA:Passed (National Board of Review) | Spain:13

Filming Locations:

Deadwood, South Dakota, USA

Company:

Gene Corman Productions

Trivia:

This Roger Corman-produced "quickie" was the first directing job for Monte Hellman.

Movie Connections:

Featured in Fantastic Fantasy Fright-o-Rama Show Vol. 1 (1996) (V)

Look! A spider-thingy!

The Corman family (notably Roger) has this nasty habit of padding a movie with lots of walking. Oh sure, there are variations on the theme. Generally, though you will find yourself subjected to a tour of Bronson Canyon, or wherever they decided to film that day's movie. Brother Gene has added variety by giving us lots of SKIING!!

The plot involves four theives who stage a mine explosion in South Dakota to divert the town's attention while the bank is relieved of gold bars - but only six bars! Why six? Why, they're going cross-country skiing to the lodge of a local man, and that's all they can carry. From there, they will hop a plane to Canada. Unfortunately, there's a monster following the crooks, sort of a cross between a spider and Bigfoot with extra floppy arms.

If it all sounds odd, that's because it is. The tension between the boss (I suspect it's really Donald Sutherland undercover) and his *ahem* secretary is almost palpable. Frank Sinatra's cousin's performance is outstanding, definitely paving the way for Frank Stallone's run of fame years later.

The disturbing thing is that if these crooks are into putting their fellow fireworks manufacturers out of business, why are we robbing banks in South Dakota? Let's face it, South Dakota is not known for much other than Sturgis and it's motorcycle rally. I'm trying to figure out how partially robbing a bank in South Dakota cements your claim to the fireworks empire. Fortunately, I have other things to worry about other than these jokers.

Sterno says spin your spider web somewhere else.