IMDb on iPhone and iPod touch Learn more Learn more Download from the App Store
IMDb > The Killer Shrews (1959)
The Killer Shrews
Quicklinks
Top Links
trailers and videosfull cast and crewtriviaofficial sitesmemorable quotes
Overview
main detailscombined detailsfull cast and crewcompany creditstv schedule
Awards & Reviews
user reviewsexternal reviewsnewsgroup reviewsawardsuser ratingsparents guiderecommendationsmessage board
Plot & Quotes
plot summarysynopsisplot keywordsAmazon.com summarymemorable quotes
Fun Stuff
triviagoofssoundtrack listingcrazy creditsalternate versionsmovie connectionsFAQ
Other Info
merchandising linksbox office/businessrelease datesfilming locationstechnical specslaserdisc detailsDVD detailsliterature listingsNewsDesk
Promotional
taglines trailers and videos posters photo gallery
External Links
showtimesofficial sitesmiscellaneousphotographssound clipsvideo clips

The Killer Shrews (1959) More at IMDbPro »

Photos (see all 21 | slideshow) Videos (see all 2)
The Killer Shrews (1959) -- On an isolated island, a small group of people is terrorised by giant, voracious shrews in the midst of a hurricane.
The Killer Shrews (1959) -- On an isolated island, a small group of people is terrorised by giant, voracious shrews in the midst of a hurricane.

Overview

User Rating:
3.1/10   1,676 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Up 1% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Writers:
Jay Simms (story)
Jay Simms (screenplay)
Contact:
View company contact information for The Killer Shrews on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
6 April 1962 (West Germany) more
Genre:
Tagline:
All that was left after...THE KILLER SHREWS! (Used in conjunction with a woman's pink pump and splattered blood) more
Plot:
On an isolated island, a small group of people is terrorised by giant, voracious shrews in the midst of a hurricane. full summary | add synopsis
User Reviews:
Shrewd...but fun. more (87 total)

Cast

  (in credits order) (verified as complete)

Directed by
Ray Kellogg 
 
Writing credits
Jay Simms (story)

Jay Simms (screenplay)

Produced by
Ken Curtis .... producer
Gordon McLendon .... executive producer (uncredited)
 
Original Music by
Harry Bluestone 
Emil Cadkin 
 
Cinematography by
Wilfred M. Cline (director of photography) (as Wilfrid M. Cline)
 
Film Editing by
Aaron Stell 
 
Set Decoration by
Louise Caldwell 
 
Makeup Department
Corinne Daniel .... makeup artist (as Cornie Daniel)
 
Production Management
Ben Chapman .... production manager
 
Art Department
Louise Caldwell .... art designer (as Louis Caldwell)
 
Sound Department
Milton Citron .... sound effects
Earl Snyder .... sound
 
Stunts
Fred Graham .... stunt coordinator (uncredited)
 
Camera and Electrical Department
Harry L. Gianneschi .... camera assistant
Henry A. Kokojan .... camera operator
George Gordon Nogle .... camera operator
William John Ranaldi .... camera assistant
 
Music Department
Harry Bluestone .... music supervisor
Gilbert D. Marchant .... music editor (as Gil Marchand)
 
Other crew
Audrey A. Blasdel .... script supervisor (as Audrey Blasdel)
 
Crew verified as complete


Production CompaniesDistributorsOther Companies

Additional Details

Also Known As:
The Attack of the Killer Shrews
more
Runtime:
69 min
Country:
Language:
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Mono (RCA Sound System)
Certification:
USA:Passed (National Board of Review) | UK:PG (video rating) (1996) | UK:X (original rating) | USA:Approved (PCA #19311)
Filming Locations:

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
Close-ups of the giant shrews were filmed using hand puppets. The wider shots used dogs made up as the shrews. more
Goofs:
Continuity: As Thorne and Jerry are fighting at the gate, Ann and Radford look out the window to see what's going on. In the close-up Ann is wearing a black top, even though she had just changed into a white blouse. When Thorne comes back into the house after the fight, Ann is again wearing the white blouse. more
Quotes:
Jerry Farrell: Looks like a rat, smells like a skunk - some call them bone-eaters. more
Movie Connections:

FAQ

What are shrews?
How did the killer shrews get loose on the island?
Who survives and who becomes shrew food?
more
20 out of 24 people found the following review useful.
Shrewd...but fun., 23 January 2005
6/10
Author: suspiria10 from The Void

When will the doctors learn? On a desolate and exotic island a doctor with a heart of gold screws up and damn near destroys the world. Am I referring to Fulci's Zombie, no? How about that island with Marlon Brando? Nope, wrong again.

In the Killer Shrews this tome around on that deserted tropical island as seen a hundred times we have mutated shrews threatening to chomp down on our trapped scientists and a boat crew unlucky enough to be carting supplies to the island. Poisonous and hungry these shrews are gonna clean the island and suck the marrow from your bones…burp.

This fun little clichéd cheese fest moves along are a pretty quick pace. The acting is on par with the era, a bit over blown, but who cares. You have to love those shrew monsters. The effects are a bit *ahem* shrewd and laughable. Not to mention the long shots of the animals that appear to be dogs or maybe pigs dressed up in costumes, complete with tail. Good fun to be had by all with a hankering for b-grade sci-horror.

Was the above review useful to you?
more (87 total)

Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for The Killer Shrews (1959)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
Giant Killer Shrews Coming South from AK? SPOILER ALERT rprescot-2
Stephen King says 'The Killer Shrews' is one of the scariest movies ever LarrupinLou
Very un-PC jmpswann
Actually scared me graboidkiller
Sequel Needed! WeNeedKillerShrews2
Movie with a Message: Overpopulation! kbarada
more

Recommendations

If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
- - - - -
The Secret of Treasure Island Danger Island The Giant Gila Monster The Galloping Ghost Song of the Buckaroo
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
Show more recommendations

Related Links

Full cast and crew Company credits External reviews
News articles IMDb Horror section IMDb USA section
Add this title to MyMovies

You may report errors and omissions on this page to the IMDb database managers. They will be examined and if approved will be included in a future update. Clicking the 'Update' button will take you through a step-by-step process.