The Crater Lake Monster (1977)

[Hellbilly]

Never seen but it looks like "Loch Ness Horror" fun. How's the film? Anybody ever picked up the Rhino DVD?

I have it. It was a drive-in favorite out here in middle America (where it played along with GIANT SPIDER INVASION). Definately worth a look, if only for the David Allen stop-motion animation at the end. Also has a great full-size head mock-up in some shots. Rather dull, other than the monster, with no gore to speak of and some really unfunny comic relief, yet I love it anyway.

Note: the cast on the front of the packaging is not in this movie. According to Tim Lucas, it's the cast listing for LAS VEGAS LADY by mistake.

Just go for it, i was'nt sure either, but took the chance and bought it, and i loved it
If your into stop motion, some bad acting and a nessie look alike this is worth the buy.
(No the movie is'nt b/w, oly this pic.)

[Damage]

Originally Posted by Madz H

Great picture! I manage to catch this movie every once in a while on TV, love that stop-motion animation... Another title to add to my wishlist.

[Hellbilly]

Looks cool
It's on my (never ending) wishlist now. Thanks for the awesome pic.

[dwatts]

Holy crap! That looks GREAT. Freaking great!

This was the first movie I ever saw by myself. I was six years old, I think. I believe it was PG.

[dwatts]

Dude, it must have scared you to death!

Truly, this look awesome.

[dwatts]

Well, I bought this one - finally. HILARIOUS fun. On a par with Nightbeast, but without the gore (sadly).

The filmmaking is awful. Favorite scene, two people (one an amazing Las Vegas show guy - from Britain) sitting in a boat on the lake. It's broad daylight, clearly the sun is out. The woman looks up and says: "Look st the stars, I've never seen so many stars". Say what?!?!?! Was this supposed to be shot night for day?

These two have some other great dialog too, like when she tells us he's getting drunk and going on stage, and that this must stop: "I told you, I've drying out. I might be a little soggy for a while, but I'm drying out."

Later: "I've been thinking of changing our act". She replies, "Oh no! Not that sword box again, not while you're drinking!!!"

Then we have a seriously nutty subplot about a robber that has nothing to do with anything else in the film. However, it provides us with the most incompetent "car going over a cliff" scene I've ever seen. I've seen better depictions in Captain Scarlett, and that was done entirely with puppets.

The monster is also very funny indeed, it doesn't have legs, it has flippers. This gives it a comical look, like something from the Flintstones.

They also constantly change the size of the monster. Sometimes it's as big as an office block, sometimes it's only slightly bigger than a truck. It's dealt with (not a spoiler really) by a mini bulldozer. The blade on it moves up about four feet, yet it manages to cut into the NECK of this huge beast.

Oh, and the supposed life size mock up looks like a killer turd floating in the water.

Brilliant stuff, and I'm only scratching the surface.

ps: The comic relief element isn't too bad, but trust me, by the end of the film you're in such a downer over these two, you forget they were there to make you smile. Totally mean

I could use this monster to come to where I work and have several snacks!!

This is probably the second movie I had ever seen, right after Star Wars as an 8 year old kid. I remember our local theater showing many b-grade horror flicks right around this time..the one bit o' gore I kind of remember is a severed head left over from a monster attack! Thanks for the memories. The good old days indeed.

[dwatts]

Actually, the head is pretty damn good. I watched some of Return of Living Dead 2 after this one, and they juxtapose nicely, since the head in latter wakes up

I have the Rhino dvd. This is one hilarious movie. They should call it a comedy/horror. lol.

[fceurich39]

alot of the reviews are bad for this movie but is it worth buying

I sort of remember this one , I'm getting this .