The Giant Gila Monster (1959)
“Only hell could breed such an enormous beast!”
Streamed free from the Internet Archive · no signup, no cost — this film is in the public domain.
Synopsis
The sunnier companion to The Killer Shrews, this small-town monster picture mixes drive-in creature thrills with teen hot-rod culture and a couple of musical numbers. Clean-cut hero Chase Winstead juggles his garage job, a wholesome romance, and a town-eating reptile, all on a shoestring Texas budget.
Cast
About the Director
Ray Kellogg — Effects man turned director Ray Kellogg created the monster by filming a real Mexican beaded lizard crawling over miniature landscapes. He keeps the tone light and good-natured, closer to a teen drama with a creature than a straight horror film.
Why It’s Free: The Public-Domain Story
Public domain in the United States: the film's original copyright was never renewed in its 28th year, so it fell out of protection. Its lapsed status is documented on Wikipedia and it circulated freely on home video for decades.
Behind the Scenes
Like its sister film, it was bankrolled by Dallas drive-in and radio mogul Gordon McLendon and produced by Ken Curtis for the McLendon theater circuit. Both films were shot in Texas to dodge Hollywood union costs and released as a double bill.
Did You Know?
- The giant monster is a live Mexican beaded lizard crawling across tabletop miniature sets.
- Star Don Sullivan co-wrote and performs the film's songs, including "The Mushroom Song."
- Producer Ken Curtis made this and The Killer Shrews almost simultaneously with overlapping crews.
Reception & Legacy
Reviewers found it cheap and slow, but it became a fond drive-in memory and a perennial of public-domain monster collections. Fans single out its likable hero and earnest small-town flavor.
The Killer Shrews
The Hideous Sun Demon
War of the Satellites
The Amazing Transparent Man