“The Giant Spider Invasion” is a low-budget 1975 horror flick about a swarm of arachnids wreaking havoc on a small Wisconsin town. A meteor crashes to Earth, unleashing spiders the size of cars that start devouring people. The special effects are laughably bad, with clearly visible strings and fake spider legs. Overall, it’s a cheesy, forgettable B-movie that will only appeal to die-hard fans of campy horror.
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Review
In the early 1970s, a low-budget sci-fi flick by the name of “The Giant Spider Invasion” hit theaters, and it would go on to become a cult classic.
The film tells the story of a small Wisconsin town that is invaded by giant spiders from outer space. The spiders are the result of an experiment gone wrong, and they quickly begin wreaking havoc in their new environment. It’s up to a group of locals to band together and try to stop the deadly arachnids from destroying everything in their path.
One thing that immediately stands out about “The Giant Spider Invasion” is its impressive cast. The film stars Barbara Hale, who many will recognize from her role as Della Street in the classic TV series “Perry Mason.” Hale’s presence adds a sense of gravitas to the production, which helps balance out some of the more over-the-top elements.
But it’s not just Hale who shines in this movie – there are plenty of memorable performances throughout. Alan Hale Jr., best known as The Skipper from “Gilligan’s Island,” brings his trademark charm to the role of Dr. Vance, a scientist who gets caught up in the spider mayhem. Meanwhile, Robert Easton steals scenes left and right as Preacher Billy, a local man who serves as something of a comic relief character.
Of course, no discussion of “The Giant Spider Invasion” would be complete without mentioning its special effects. On one hand, it’s clear that this is a low-budget production – some scenes featuring the titular spiders are clearly just puppets or models. But on the other hand, there are moments where the filmmakers manage to create genuinely creepy visuals. The sight of giant spiders crawling all over cars and buildings is sure to give anyone with even a mild fear of arachnids some serious nightmares.
Despite its flaws (or perhaps because of them), “The Giant Spider Invasion” has developed a loyal following over the years. Part of that may be due to its relative obscurity – it’s the kind of movie that you have to seek out, rather than stumbling across on cable TV. But there’s also something genuinely charming about the film’s earnestness. It’s clear that everyone involved was doing their best with what they had, and that kind of can-do spirit is infectious.
Perhaps the most telling quote about “The Giant Spider Invasion” comes from its director, Bill Rebane. In an interview with Fangoria magazine, he said: “There are two kinds of people in the world – those who like ‘The Giant Spider Invasion,’ and those who haven’t seen it yet.” That kind of confidence is refreshing, especially in a world where so much media is designed to be as broadly appealing as possible.
Looking back on “The Giant Spider Invasion,” it’s easy to see why it became such a beloved oddity. Sure, the special effects might be goofy at times, and the acting occasionally veers into melodrama. But there’s a sense of joy and enthusiasm running through every frame of this movie – these filmmakers clearly had a blast making it, and their enthusiasm is infectious.
It’s also worth noting that “The Giant Spider Invasion” was something of a trailblazer when it comes to independent filmmaking. Shot in Wisconsin with a largely local cast and crew, it was one of the first low-budget horror movies to be made outside of Hollywood. This DIY spirit would go on to inspire countless other filmmakers in the years to come.
In terms of popularity, “The Giant Spider Invasion” has remained relatively underground over the years. It never quite achieved mainstream success (although it did make back its budget at the box office), but it has maintained a devoted fanbase thanks to home video releases and midnight movie screenings.
All in all, “The Giant Spider Invasion” is arguably the perfect B-movie. It’s silly, it’s over-the-top, and it’s a lot of fun. But there’s also a certain charm and sincerity to it that makes it more than just a forgettable schlockfest. If you’re a fan of cult cinema, or if you just love seeing giant spiders wreaking havoc on small-town America, then this one is definitely worth seeking out.
Technical Data
- Runtime : 84
- Release : 1975-10-01
- Genre : Horror, Science Fiction
- Cast : Steve Brodie as Dr. Vance, Barbara Hale as Dr. Jenny Langer, Robert Easton as Kester, Leslie Parrish as Ev, Alan Hale Jr. as Sheriff
- Crew : Robert Easton as Screenplay, Kevin Brodie as First Assistant Director, Bill Rebane as Director, Bill Rebane as Producer, Bill Rebane as Original Music Composer
- Popularity 7.01
- Budget : $300,000
- Revenue : $15,000,000
- Company : Cinema Group 75
- Summary : A black hole hits North Wisconsin and opens a door to other dimensions. Giant 15 meter spiders emerge from it, who have an appetite for human flesh! Dr. Jenny Langer and Dr. Vance from NASA try to save the world.
- Tagline : Creeping!…Crawling!…Crushing!