Track of the Moon Beast is a 1976 horror film directed by Richard Ashe and written by Bill Finger and Charles Sinclair. It tells the story of a mineralogist who is hit in the head by a meteorite, which subsequently turns him in to a vicious, reptilian creature during a full moon.[3][4]
The film takes place in Albuquerque, New Mexico, where mineralogist Paul Carlson (Chase Cordell) is struck by a lunar meteorite while observing a meteor shower. Lodged in his brain, a fragment from the meteorite causes him to transform into a strong and vicious lizard (the titular "Moon Beast") whenever the Moon comes out. In his lizard form, Paul loses all trace of his human self and goes about killing people at random. While human, Paul is subject to spells of dizziness and nausea, causing his girlfriend Kathy Nolan (Donna Leigh Drake) and friend and former anthropology professor Johnny "Longbow" Salinas (Gregorio Sala) to become concerned.
Eventually it is shown that Paul is actually the Moon Beast; later, it is deduced that the meteorite fragment in his brain is the cause of his transformation. Plans are made to remove it from his skull, but the NASA brain surgeons realize—after another X-ray and Johnny's recollection of some Native American legends documenting similar phenomena—that the meteorite fragment has disintegrated and will eventually cause Paul to self-combust. When Paul learns of this, he escapes into the desert on a stolen motorcycle, presumably to kill himself so that he will not cause any more harm. When Johnny recalls that Paul's favorite place was always Sandia Crest, Kathy, Johnny, and local law enforcement officers follow him there. Johnny eventually shoots him with an arrow tipped with the original meteorite, which causes him to explode.
Cast
Chase Cordell as Paul G. Carlson
Leigh Drake as Kathy Nolan (credited as Donna Leigh Drake)
Track of the Moon Beast was produced by Ralph T. Desiderio and written by Bill Finger.[5] Its setting and location was in Albuquerque, New Mexico as Finger had written the story in the city despite never visiting, instead basing it on brochures.[2][6] Frank Larrabee and his band, who were staying at the same Ramada Inn as the movie crew, performed the song "California Lady" in the movie.[citation needed] The performance was shot at the hotel.[citation needed]
The budget for the film was $300,000.[2] It was produced by Lizard Productions and received help from New Mexico's chamber of commerce. The production company kept the film under wraps during filming. Local Albuquerqueans were used for small speaking parts or as extras. Filming was from July 3 to the 27th of 1972, finishing two days ahead of schedule. The film was expected to be released in the spring of 1973.[6] It ended up being shown on television in 1976.
Release
Track of the Moon Beast was copyrighted in 1972 with the expectation that it would be released theatrically.[1][failed verification] It was never picked up by a distributor, however, and finally premiered on television on June 1, 1976.[1][failed verification] It was first released on DVD in 2001 by American Home Treasures, along with Creature and Snowbeast, in the set Classic Creature Movies II.[7] It has since been packaged with other public domain movies in several DVD releases, including Chilling Classics (Mill Creek Entertainment, 2005),[8]50 Fright Classics (Emson, 2006),[9] and Drive-In Classics (St. Clair Entertainment Group, 2007).[10]
Reception and legacy
Critical response has been predominantly negative. John Kenneth Muir considered the film to be "a failure in every way," criticizing its special effects, acting, and story. Muir did note that despite its numerous negative aspects, the movie had a quirky charm to it, similar to that of other low-budget 1970s films such as The Crater Lake Monster and The Giant Spider Invasion.[11]TV Guide panned the film, saying, "Although this premise is ripe with comedic opportunities, the production is hampered by classically inept film-making, and the story unfolds so slowly one begins to think the film is running in reverse. The acting is even worse. Still, horror fanatics might find some interest in Joe Blasko's lizard makeup."[12]Oh the Horror! gave it a negative review, panning the film's execution, dialogue, and script, and deeming the movie "embarrassing" and its ending "ridiculous."[13]
Mystery Science Theater 3000
The film is featured in a tenth season episode (#1007) of Mystery Science Theater 3000. Fodder for mockery includes, but is not limited to, the "brain-dead" expression of the lead actress (Donna Leigh Drake), the "horrible" dialogue, and the suggestive name and unctuous nature of the character Johnny Longbow—whom the MST3K characters repeatedly refer to as "Johnny Longbone." An entire host segment with Mike Nelson, in the style of VH1'sBehind the Music, is devoted to "The Band That Played California Lady." The scene in which Johnny names the ingredients in his stew quickly becomes a running gag, and is one of the writers' favorite moments from the series. Writer Kevin Murphy said that Johnny's world-weary sigh of "onions..." made him one of the "best" characters they had ever encountered.[citation needed] In 2017, Track of the Moon Beast was included in the Volume 38 DVD set, alongside Invasion USA, Colossus and the Headhunters, and High School Big Shot.[14]
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