Attack of the Crab Monsters (1957)

A group of scientists gather on a deserted Pacific island to study the effects of nuclear fallout.

The group is uneasy since a similar group recently vanished into thin air. Their mood doesn’t improve when a series of mysterious earthquakes, landslides and explosions rock the island – not to mention the sudden death of some members of the expedition.

The group includes solemn German physicist Dr Karl Weigand (Leslie Bradley), foolhardy American geologist Dr James Carson (Richard Cutting), young American biologist Dale Brewer (Richard Garland), his fiancee Martha Hunter (Pamela Duncan), and jovial, moustachioed French botanist Jules Deveroux (Mel Welles).

Russell Johnson (better known as the professor from Gilligan’s Island) plays Hank Chapman.

After much to-do, it is determined that the culprits are two giant-sized crabs who have grown to roughly the size of a house as the result of radiation poisoning.

The crustaceans are not only BIG, but they are also highly intelligent, having developed the ability to ingest the knowledge and consciousness of their victims.

Attack Of The Crab Monster – made with a budget of just $70,000 – was released as part of a double bill with another Corman film, Not Of This Earth.

Ed Nelson played the crab monsters with Beach Dickerson operating the monster’s claws.  The voice of the giant crab was provided by David Arvedon. Despite the Pacific island location, the film was made on location at Leo Carrillo beach and the (now closed) Marineland park in Los Angeles.

Dale Brewer
Richard Garland
Martha Hunter
Pamela Duncan
Hank Chapman
Russell Johnson
Dr Karl Weigand
Leslie Bradley
Jules Deveroux
Mel Welles
Dr James Carson
Richard Cutting
Seaman Ron Fellows
Beach Dickerson
Seaman Jack Sommers
Tony Miller
Lt. Quinlan
Ed Nelson
Seaman Tate
Charles B. Griffith

Director
Roger Corman