Attack of the Giant Leeches

This film is often trashed because of superficial details. I feel the film itself is an artifact of the times and the location. Despite the silly sci-fi subplot, the real story is in the southerners who made and star in the film. The outdated boogie woogie instrumentals that blare constantly in the -background, the steamy heat that leaves the average people sweaty and the fat shopkeeper swimming, work together to show the oppressive effects of heat and isolation on the people who live and make their living from the swamp. When viewed in light of it's intended audience (who could be expected to identify with the cast and expect the "everyday" details of the story to appear normal...) I find it not only enjoyable, but an interesting view of a time and place that no longer exists.

Them folks down on the swamp there darn gone and got themselves killed or worsen. Yes giant inflatable swamp critters attack and suck the blood out of their victims. Just joking around there folks. Honestly this was much better than I was expecting although it really doesn't hold any surprises(but may cause you to laugh a time or two). Still for a low budget film, I felt it was well-done and benefits from being only 62 minutes in length. I really enjoyed this one.

I can't believe my aunt actually bought this movie, let alone felt it was just what I needed for Christmas one year but she did. Of course it wasn't until early March that I was bored enough to actually watch it. I have to say for a B-movie blast from the past, it really wasn't bad at all. The plot was coherent, the acting wasn't bad but typical for the era, and the leech costume actually had some value to it. There were some good, slightly extended underwater shots that made me feel bad for the guy in the leech costume. (The thing had to weigh a ton!) So for a few good laughs gather your pimpled-faced friends and rent this movie!

Another of the many giant creature movies from the '50's, this one being somewhere in the middle of the bunch. This time, it's swamp hicks who are being menaced by leeches. Not just leeches, but big, mean leeches! I tell you, it's a load of cheese from beginning to end, but this is what one would expect from a genre movie of this era. It's a movie that leaves you asking, "why don't the fools just get a pound of salt and waste 'em?" Anyway, it's an OK effort with some decent acting. But those leeches, oh boy! The monsters are strictly tongue-in-cheek! So, B-movie fans should love this one, it's a wonder it took four years for this movie to make it to Mystery Science Theater 3000. In any event, proceed with caution into the boggy swamps of schlock.

** out of ****

The local hillbilly population is being sorely depleted, due to the huge invertebrates of the title (aka: grown men in black, plastic trash bags). Due to this onslaught, the swamps just aren't what they used to be. Game Warden, Steve Benton (Ken Clark) tries to get to the bottom of the mysterious deaths.

Meanwhile, rotund retailer, Dave Walker (Bruno VeSota- WAR OF THE SATELLITES) watches as his manhood is incinerated by his wild wife, Liz (Yvette Vickers- ATTACK OF THE 50 FOOT WOMAN). Liz just won't stay home with her hulking husband in his tiny grocery store, choosing the allure of the swamps instead.

In all honesty, the real reason to watch this movie is Ms. Vickers. She's hot enough to start a forest fire with her big toe!

WATCH! As she applies her leg lotion like nobody's business!

SEE! Her make brushing her teeth into a sensual experience!

Oh my!

Liz is far too much for either Dave, or her man-on-the-side, Cal (Michael Emmet- NIGHT OF THE BLOOD BEAST) to handle. It's just a good thing that she's in this movie. Without her, we're left with Benton's yeti chest hair, Cal's overblown ego, Dave's blubber, and / or the sheriff's (Gene Roth- SHE DEMONS, THE SPIDER) gargantuan bowl of baked beans to draw our attention! Oh, and those bulbous bloodsuckers!

ATTACK OF THE GIANT LEECHES is among the upper levels of the schlock pantheon.

EXTRA POINTS: For Cal's quick change from macho lover-man to quivering coward! A singular sight to behold!...