REPTILICUS! “Like nothing you’ve ever seen before!”
Nope, that is not a comment about my kitchen after a round of cooking up some witch’s brew. But many people do say that very thing about the Danish movie Reptilicus: “I’ve never seen anything like that before!”
Reptilicus has always received a bad rap from monster movie fans ever since its release in 1962. From over acting to unnecessary comedic relief, to a phony-looking monster to poor special effects, the movie doesn’t fare too well on the popularity scale. And yet, it still has a certain charm about it, and most monsterkids are inclined to cut it some slack.
I called my grandson, Big Abner, and asked him if he knew about Reptilicus. He said he did, and I asked him what he thought was the best part of the movie.
“Ann Smyrner,” he said.
Hmmm. Boys will be boys, I guess.
Was the movie so bad? Well, the story itself was ok, it was just how it was presented that got it into trouble. The most criticism goes to the design of the marionette/puppet used to portray Reptilicus. Although the head was pretty good, the way it moved and flopped around was rather pitiful. The small wings and useless feet were also subjects of derision. No wonder the scene of Reptilicus flying was cut from the Danish version for the American release. Also, the added use of acid saliva that Reptilicus spewed at various times was not convincing.
Apart from a few process shots, some double exposures, and one obvious paste-up of a farmer being swallowed alive by Reptilicus, no grand visual effects were used. The Reptilicus model was always combined with realistic miniatures. The live-action scenes of the military firing on Reptilicus were well done, however.
If one can suspend disbelief just long enough to sit through the movie, it does prove to be somewhat entertaining. The visuals aren’t all that bad if one can overlook the shortcomings.
The radio spots are pretty good, using the same general pattern Konga used the year before. Paul Frees does an excellent job of selling the highpoints of the movie, although I still snicker when he says, “See …and you still won’t believe what you saw.” Hype or sarcasm? You be the judge. So, sit back, remember Ann Smyrner, and listen to Reptilicus!
Here are the 20, 30, and 60 seconds radio spots to terrorize you!
Do you have any radio spots you would like to share? Contact Granny (Gary Fox) at [email protected]. You can also read the comic book!