Upon its release, the film received mostly negative reviews. By the 1980s, it became something of a cult film to horror and B-movie film fans. In 1983, an authorized, re-edited comedic spoof version entitled What's Up, Hideous Sun Demon (1989) (also known as Revenge of the Sun Demon) was released. The film's star and producer Robert Clarke agreed to re-dub his dialogue for the spoof, but reportedly later regretted being involved in the production. In 1985, Hideous Sun Demon: Special Edition was released.
In the scene where the radio announcer is warning the public about the killer on the loose, he finishes by saying "I return to music by the King Sisters". Robert Clarke was married to Alyce King of the singing King Sister and later appeared on their TV show.
In his 1996 memoir To "B" or Not to "B: A Film Actor's Odyssey, Robert Clarke stated that The Hideous Sun Demon's budget was less than $50,000 (approximately $480,000 today). The rubberized lizard suit Clarke wore when he transformed into the Sun demon cost $500 (approximately $4,800 today). The film was shot over the course of twelve weekends to get two days' use of rental camera equipment for one day's fee.
The film was riffed by the former Mystery Science Theater 3000 (1988) stars Michael J. Nelson, Bill Corbett and Kevin Murphy for Rifftrax.
Nan Peterson's debut.
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By what name was The Hideous Sun Demon (1958) officially released in Canada in English?
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