Monster from the Ocean Floor

Last updated
Monster from the Ocean Floor
Monster from the Ocean Floor FilmPoster.jpeg
Theatrical release poster
Directed byWyott Ordung
Written byBill Danch
Produced by Roger Corman
Starring Anne Kimbell
Stuart Wade
Dick Pinner
David Garcia
Cinematography Floyd Crosby
Edited byEdward Sampson
Music byAndre Brummer
Production
company
Palo Alto
Distributed by Lippert Pictures
Release date
  • May 21, 1954 (1954-05-21)
Running time
64 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$30,000 or $15,000 [1]
Box office$850,000 or $185,000 [1]

Monster from the Ocean Floor is an American 1954 science fiction film about a sea monster that terrorizes a Mexican cove. The film was directed by Wyott Ordung and starred Anne Kimbell and Stuart Wade.

Contents

It was the first film produced by Roger Corman (although he had previously written Highway Dragnet ).

Plot

Julie Blair (Anne Kimbell) is an American artist vacationing at a seaside village in Mexico. She hears stories about a man-eating creature dwelling in the cove. She meets Steve Dunning (Stuart Wade), a marine biologist doing research in the area, and they fall for one another. She further investigates the stories of a sea monster killing people along with unexplained disappearances in the area. Julie thinks there might be some substance to these rumors, but Dunning does not.

The mysterious death of a diver inspires Julie to investigate, but Dunning remains very skeptical. She sees a giant amoeba rising from the ocean. [2] Thinking fast she is able to get a tissue sample from the monster. Confronted with the evidence, and now admitting the creature does in fact exist, Dunning uses the submarine to attack the monster.

Cast

Production

Drive-in advertisement from 1954 for Monster from the Ocean Floor and co-feature, The Queen of Sheba. Mount Vernon Drive-In Ad - 9 June 1954, San Bernardino, CA.jpg
Drive-in advertisement from 1954 for Monster from the Ocean Floor and co-feature, The Queen of Sheba .

It was the first film produced by Roger Corman. One of his first decisions was to allow Wyott Ordung to direct. Ordung agreed to divert part of his pay for the experience of directing. [3] Corman was also able to defer payment against future profits to make the final print.

Alan Frank listed Monster from the Ocean Floor's budget as $30,000. [4] However, Corman stated that the film was made for $12,000 in cash over six days. [5] According to Corman, $4,000 of the film's budget came from Ordung, $3,500 from Corman (from the sale of the Highway Dragnet story to Allied Artists), $5,000 in deferment from Consolidated Labs, and money raised privately by selling $500 and $1,000 shares. [6] Ordung later claimed that he hocked his life insurance and sold his apartment to raise $15,000 to pay for the film. [7] Corman's brother, Gene Corman, estimated the budget at $35,000. [8] Variety said the film cost $15,000. [1]

Producer Alex Gordon later recalled meeting Corman at a screening of the movie. "I thought, for the money he brought it in for, was absolutely remarkable," said Gordon. I thought it was very, very good and that he was a very nice, young, polite guy. And very nice-looking, properly dressed — he looked like a young executive, not some guy who was just lolling around like some of the other guys who were around in those days, coming around to try and get jobs." The men would later work together on Apache Woman and Day the World Ended . [9]

Roger Corman had seen an article on a new electric-powered one-man submarine, and was able to use it in the picture for free in exchange for the publicity and an on-screen credit ("Submarine built by Aerojet General").

This is the first appearance of Haze in a Corman film, he would become a regular in Corman's films.

Corman said when he made the film, "I was surprisingly confident. I think if I were to do it now, I would be very worried that I couldn't do it. But at the age of twenty-five or whatever, I had ambition and confidence. You do things that, when you're older and smarter, you wouldn't do. " [10]

The film's original title was It Stalked the Ocean Floor, but was changed by the distributor for being too artsy. [11]

In an interview with Starlog, it was noted that the experience of making this movie hooked Corman on filmmaking as a career. It also established a professional relationship between Corman, James Nicholson and Samuel Arkoff, that would lead to the creation of American International Productions. [12]

Distributor

Corman's brother Gene, negotiated the sale of the film to a distributor. Although Herbert Yates of Republic Pictures had an interest in the film, Corman says the only person willing to put up an advance against income was Robert Lippert. Monster from the Ocean Floor was sold to Lippert Pictures for $110,000. Gene Corman later said that Lippert renegotiated his deal on the film once he found out that Roger Corman had not spent $100,000 on making it, but considerably less. [8]

Roger Corman says he ultimately received a $60,000 advance for Monster, which enabled him to make his next film. [5]

Reception

Box office

The film grossed $850,000. [6] [7] Variety put this figure at $185,000. [1]

Critical

TV Guide found the movie lacking and criticized the directing; however, it found the movie interesting historically as the "beginning of something big and cheap". [13] Variety was kinder, calling the movie a well made quickie. [11] [14]

Creature Feature by John Stanley gave the movie two out of five stars citing minimal mood, the films dubbing and a cast of unknowns. [15]

Moria found the movie slow, dull and prosaic, but found it was worthwhile as the first of Corman's films. It did note that the speech on undersea farming was interesting and that Corman's famed penny pinching was on display in the movie. It also stated that the underwater scenes were well done. [16]

The Encyclopedia of Science Fiction found it to be a minor film that was moderately successful, and found its depiction of a capable heroine noteworthy for the time. [2]

While Roger Ebert was not fond of the film, he noted it was the start of Corman as an auteur not just a low budget film maker, and therefore is a part of Corman's legacy. [17]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Roger Corman</span> American film director, producer, and actor (born 1926)

Roger William Corman is an American film director, producer, and actor. Known under various monikers such as "The Pope of Pop Cinema", "The Spiritual Godfather of the New Hollywood", and "The King of Cult", he is known as a trailblazer in the world of independent film. Many of Corman's films are based on works that have an already-established critical reputation, such as his cycle of low-budget cult films adapted from the tales of Edgar Allan Poe.

<i>The Fast and the Furious</i> (1954 film) 1954 film by John Ireland

The Fast and the Furious is a 1954 American crime drama B movie from a story written by Roger Corman and screenplay by Jean Howell and Jerome Odlum. The film stars John Ireland and Dorothy Malone. Ireland also served as the film's co-director.

<i>It Conquered the World</i> 1956 film by Roger Corman

It Conquered the World is an independently made 1956 American black-and-white science fiction film, produced and directed by Roger Corman, starring Peter Graves, Lee Van Cleef, Beverly Garland, and Sally Fraser. It Conquered the World was released theatrically by American International Pictures as a double feature with The She-Creature.

<i>Attack of the Crab Monsters</i> 1957 film by Roger Corman

Attack of the Crab Monsters is a 1957 independently made American black-and-white science fiction-horror film, produced and directed by Roger Corman, that stars Richard Garland, Pamela Duncan, and Russell Johnson. The film was distributed by Allied Artists as a double feature showing with Corman's Not of This Earth.

<i>Swamp Women</i> 1955 film by Roger Corman

Swamp Women is a 1956 American adventure film noir crime film directed by Roger Corman. It stars Carole Mathews, Beverly Garland, and Marie Windsor, with Mike Connors and Ed Nelson in small roles.

<i>The Undead</i> (film) 1957 film by Roger Corman

The Undead is a 1957 horror film directed by Roger Corman and starring Pamela Duncan, Allison Hayes, Richard Garland and Val Dufour. It also featured Corman regulars Richard Devon, Dick Miller, Mel Welles and Bruno VeSota. The authors' original working title was The Trance of Diana Love. The film follows the story of a prostitute, Diana Love (Duncan), who is put into a hypnotic trance by psychic Quintus (Dufour), thus causing her to regress to a previous life. Hayes later starred in Attack of the 50 Foot Woman (1958). The film was released on March 15, 1957 by American International Pictures as a double feature with Voodoo Woman.

<i>Teenage Caveman</i> (1958 film) 1958 film by Roger Corman

Teenage Caveman is an independently made 1958 black-and-white science fiction adventure film drama, produced and directed by Roger Corman, and starring Robert Vaughn and Sarah Marshall. Teenage Caveman was released by American International Pictures in July 1958 as a double feature with How to Make a Monster.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jonathan Haze</span> American actor

Jonathan Haze is an American actor, producer and screenwriter. He is best known for his work in Roger Corman films, especially the 1960 black comedy cult classic, The Little Shop of Horrors, in which he played florist's assistant Seymour Krelboined.

<i>Creature from the Haunted Sea</i> 1961 film by Roger Corman

Creature from the Haunted Sea is a 1961 horror comedy film directed by Roger Corman. Written by Charles B. Griffith, the film is a parody of spy, gangster, and monster movies, concerning a secret agent, XK150, who goes under the code name "Sparks Moran" in order to infiltrate a criminal gang led by Renzo Capetto, who is trying to transport an exiled Cuban general with an entourage and a large portion of the Cuban treasury out of Cuba. Filmgroup released the film as a double feature with Devil's Partner.

<i>Beast from Haunted Cave</i> 1959 film

Beast from Haunted Cave is a 1959 horror/heist film directed by Monte Hellman and starring Michael Forest, Frank Wolff and Richard Sinatra. It was produced by Gene Corman, Roger Corman's brother. Filmed in South Dakota at the same time as Ski Troop Attack, it tells the story of bank robbers fleeing in the snow who run afoul of a giant spider-like monster that feeds on humans. The film was released as a double feature with The Wasp Woman (1959).

<i>The Wasp Woman</i> 1959 film by Roger Corman, Jack Hill

The Wasp Woman is a 1959 American independent science-fiction horror film produced and directed by Roger Corman. Filmed in black-and-white, it stars Susan Cabot, Anthony Eisley, Michael Mark, and Barboura Morris. The film was originally released by Filmgroup as a double feature with Beast from Haunted Cave. To pad out the film's running time when it was released to television two years later, a new prologue was added by director Jack Hill.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Charles B. Griffith</span> American screenwriter (1930–2007)

Charles Byron Griffith was an American screenwriter, actor and film director, son of Donna Dameral, radio star of Myrt and Marge, along with Charles' grandmother, Myrtle Vail, and was best known for writing Roger Corman productions such as A Bucket of Blood (1959), The Little Shop of Horrors (1960), and Death Race 2000 (1975).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">B movies in the 1950s</span>

The 1950s mark a significant change in the definition of the B movie. The transformation of the film industry due to court rulings that brought an end to many long-standing distribution practices as well as the challenge of television led to major changes in U.S. cinema at the exhibition level. These shifts signaled the eventual demise of the double feature that had defined much of the American moviegoing experience during Hollywood's Golden Age of the 1930s and 1940s. Even as the traditional bottom-of-the-bill second feature slowly disappeared, the term B movie was applied more broadly to the sort of inexpensive genre films that came out during the era, such as those produced to meet the demands of the burgeoning drive-in theater market.

<i>Day the World Ended</i> 1955 film by Roger Corman

Day the World Ended is a 1955 independently made black-and-white post-apocalyptic science fiction film, produced and directed by Roger Corman, that stars Richard Denning, Lori Nelson, Adele Jergens, Paul Birch and Mike Connors. Chet Huntley of NBC, later of The Huntley-Brinkley Report, served as the film's narrator. It was released by American Releasing Corporation as a double feature with The Phantom from 10,000 Leagues.

<i>Night of the Blood Beast</i> 1958 American science-fiction horror film by Bernard L. Kowalski

Night of the Blood Beast is a 1958 American science-fiction horror film about a team of scientists who are stalked by an alien creature, which implants its embryos in an astronaut's body during a space flight. Produced by exploitation filmmaker Roger Corman and his brother Gene, it was one of the first films directed by Bernard L. Kowalski and was written by first-time screenwriter Martin Varno, who was 21 years old. It starred several actors who had regularly worked with Roger Corman, including Michael Emmet, Ed Nelson, Steve Dunlap, Georgianna Carter and Tyler McVey. The film was theatrically released in December 1958 as a double feature with She Gods of Shark Reef.

<i>Highway Dragnet</i> 1954 film by Nathan H. Juran

Highway Dragnet is a 1954 American film noir B film crime film directed by Nathan Juran from a story by U.S. Andersen and Roger Corman. The film stars Richard Conte, Joan Bennett and Wanda Hendrix. It was Roger Corman's first feature film credit. Corman also worked as an associate producer.

<i>The Beast with a Million Eyes</i> 1955 American film

The Beast with a Million Eyes is a 1955 independently made American black-and-white science fiction film, produced and directed by David Kramarsky, that stars Paul Birch, Lorna Thayer, and Dona Cole. Some film sources have said that the film was co-directed by Lou Place. The film was co-produced by Roger Corman and Samuel Z. Arkoff. and was released by American Releasing Corporation, which later became American International Pictures.

<i>The Saga of the Viking Women and Their Voyage to the Waters of the Great Sea Serpent</i> 1957 film by Roger Corman

The Saga of the Viking Women and Their Voyage to the Waters of the Great Sea Serpent is a 1958 American action-adventure horror film directed by Roger Corman. It stars Abby Dalton, Susan Cabot and June Kenney.

<i>Atlas</i> (1961 film) 1961 film

Atlas is a 1961 action-adventure peplum film directed by Roger Corman and starring Michael Forest and Frank Wolff. It was filmed in Greece. Corman called it "my last attempt to do a big picture on a low budget." Writer Charles B. Griffith said "Atlas was a mess. It was a doomed project. "

Nightfall is a 1988 American science fiction film written and directed by Paul Mayersberg, based on the 1941 short story of the same name by Isaac Asimov.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "$65,000 'Day' may hit $1,000,000". Variety. 22 February 1956. p.  16.
  2. 1 2 "SFE: Monster from the Ocean Floor".
  3. ↑ Corman, R. (1990) How I Made a Hundred Movies in Hollywood and Never lost a Dime. Random House
  4. ↑ Alan Frank, The Films of Alan Frank: Shooting My Way Out of Trouble, Bath Press, 1998 p 15
  5. 1 2 Beverly Gray, Roger Corman: Blood Sucking Vampires, Flesh Eating Cockroaches and Driller Killers, AZ Ferris 2014 p 30-31
  6. 1 2 Mark McGee, Faster and Furiouser: The Revised and Fattened Fable of American International Pictures, McFarland, 1996 p15-20
  7. 1 2 Mark Thomas McGee, Talk's Cheap, Action's Expensive: The Films of Robert L. Lippert, Bear Manor Media, 2014 p 156-159
  8. 1 2 Weaver, Tom (2006). Interviews with B Science Fiction and Horror Movie Makers: Writers, Producers, Directors, Actors, Moguls and Makeup. McFarland. pp. 94–95. ISBN   9780786428588.
  9. ↑ Weaver, Tom (January 2004). "The Day His World Began". Fangoria. p. 68.
  10. ↑ Emery, Robert J. (2003). The Directors Take Three. Allworth Press. p.  120.
  11. 1 2 Frank, Alan (1998) The Films of Roger Corman. Batsford
  12. ↑ Bonahm, J. (Nov 18 2102) The Return of Roger Corman. Starlog #109. Retrieved Feb 16 2021 https://archive.org/details/starlog_magazine-019/page/n44/mode/1up
  13. ↑ "Monster from the Ocean Floor".
  14. ↑ Review of film at Variety
  15. ↑ Stanley, John (2000) Creature Feature: Third Edition
  16. ↑ "Monster from the Ocean Floor (1954)". 15 December 2007.
  17. ↑ Ebert, R. (1967) Interview with Roger Corman. Retrieved Feb 21 2021) https://www.rogerebert.com/interviews/interview-with-roger-corman
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.