"Tarantula" was one of a series of Sci/Fi/mutated monster films that were popular in the 1950s. This one is better than most.
A mutated man turns up dead in the desert. He turns out to be a scientist named Jacobs. He has apparently died from an affliction that takes several years to develop but has developed it in just a few days. Town doctor Matt Hastings (John Agar) becomes suspicious. Professor Gerald Deemer (Leo G. Carroll), Jacobs associate confirms that the man had died from the dreaded disease over a period of four days.
Later at Professor Deemer's lab we learn that he has been experimenting with a nutrient that accelerates the growth in animals and spiders (eeeuuu!). The professor is attacked by his other assistant Lund, who causes a fire during which a giant tarantula escapes. Before he dies, Lund injects the professor with the deadly nutrient.
The comely young Stephanie "Steve" Clayton arrives to take up a post with Jacobs, however since he is dead Professor Deemer takes her on. "Steve" and Matt become attracted to each other (who knew?). Meanwhile the escaped tarantula begins to wreak havoc killing animals and whatever people cross its path. The professor was unaware that the spider had not perished in the fire you see.
As the tarantula heads toward town, it stops to destroy the Professor's home...and the professor. To combat the giant spider the air force is called in and just as the jets are about to fire, I'm sure I heard the squadron leader say...Go ahead...make my day.
The special effects are quite good for a low budget "B" + movie. The tarantula effects are quite convincing. John Agar, who had been married to Shirley Temple, is nothing more than a card board hero whose main purpose in the film is to ride around in his brand new '55 Ford convertible. Mara Corday is lovely as the heroine and Leo G. Carroll adds an air of sophistication as the "mad scientist".
Others in the cast include Nestor Paiva as the Sheriff, Ross Elliott as the newspaper editor, Raymond Bailey as a scientist and good old Hank Patterson as the desk clerk Josh.
A mutated man turns up dead in the desert. He turns out to be a scientist named Jacobs. He has apparently died from an affliction that takes several years to develop but has developed it in just a few days. Town doctor Matt Hastings (John Agar) becomes suspicious. Professor Gerald Deemer (Leo G. Carroll), Jacobs associate confirms that the man had died from the dreaded disease over a period of four days.
Later at Professor Deemer's lab we learn that he has been experimenting with a nutrient that accelerates the growth in animals and spiders (eeeuuu!). The professor is attacked by his other assistant Lund, who causes a fire during which a giant tarantula escapes. Before he dies, Lund injects the professor with the deadly nutrient.
The comely young Stephanie "Steve" Clayton arrives to take up a post with Jacobs, however since he is dead Professor Deemer takes her on. "Steve" and Matt become attracted to each other (who knew?). Meanwhile the escaped tarantula begins to wreak havoc killing animals and whatever people cross its path. The professor was unaware that the spider had not perished in the fire you see.
As the tarantula heads toward town, it stops to destroy the Professor's home...and the professor. To combat the giant spider the air force is called in and just as the jets are about to fire, I'm sure I heard the squadron leader say...Go ahead...make my day.
The special effects are quite good for a low budget "B" + movie. The tarantula effects are quite convincing. John Agar, who had been married to Shirley Temple, is nothing more than a card board hero whose main purpose in the film is to ride around in his brand new '55 Ford convertible. Mara Corday is lovely as the heroine and Leo G. Carroll adds an air of sophistication as the "mad scientist".
Others in the cast include Nestor Paiva as the Sheriff, Ross Elliott as the newspaper editor, Raymond Bailey as a scientist and good old Hank Patterson as the desk clerk Josh.