The Giant Gila Monster / The Killer Shrews

Back in the 50s teenagers would go to the drive-ins and watch the crazy sci-fu horror flicks. They seemed to never quite get enough of the craziness! A couple of the films that made it to the drive-in was from special effects artist and film maker Ray Kellogg. These films were his directing debut. They were The Giant Gila Monster and The Killer Shrews.

These two films have fell into the public domain over the years and have seen countless releases. Some good some not so good. A new company The Film Masters have decided to restore public domain classics and put them on Blu-ray. This is a way to rescue these films from the horrible releases. There first release is the Ray Kellogg double feature. 

Our Rating System
**** = Don't Miss It!
*** = Worth A Look.
** = An Ok way to spend an evening.
*= You haven't missed anything.

The Giant Gila Monster (1959) A giant lizard terrorizes a rural Texas community, and a heroic teenager attempts to destroy the creature. **

The Killer Shrews (1959) On an isolated island, a small group of people are terrorized by giant voracious shrews in the midst of a hurricane. ***

Let's be honest here these are B sci-fi horror films. They are not classic horror like Dracula or Frankenstein. They don't hit the mark of sci-fi greats like The Day the Earth Stood Still. But they are a lot of fun to watch. 

I have watched these films every year on the less than stellar DVD releases. Now The Film Masters have given both of these films a release they so richly deserve. Each films gets its own dedicated Blu-ray disc release. On both of these discs there is the option to watch these films in the original widescreen 1.85:1 aspect ratio or the TV version in full screen format 1.33:1 aspect ratio.

Both films have been restored. The Giant Gila Monster is restored in 4K from a 35mm archival materials, and The Killer Shrews restored in HD. Both of these restorations look simply amazing. When watching these new Film Masters black and white restorations they look better than any copy  you will see anywhere else.

But gorgeous looking restorations is not all that this 2-disc Blu-ray release has going for it! Not by a long shot. The Film Masters have added a good amount of bonus features that will have b-movie fans jumping for joy. Take a look at what is included.

* Ray Kellogg: An Unsung Master, a Ballyhoo Motion Pictures documentary written by C. Courtney Joyner and narrated by Larry Blamire

* Archival interview with star, Don Sullivan, conducted by author Bryan Senn in 2009

* Full commentary of The Giant Gila Monster by Larry Strothe, James Gonis, Shawn Sheridan and Matt Weinhold from The Monster Party podcast

* Full commentary of The Killer Shrews by professor and film scholar Jason A. Ney

* Original, vintage radio, marketing spots for both features, provided by Gary L. Prange

* Full-color, inserted booklet with essays by Don Stradley and Jason A. Ney

With insightful audio commentaries, vintage spots, a book insert, a full hour and a half interview with Don Sullivan (a must listen) and the tremendous Ballyhoo featurette Ray Kellogg: An Unsung Master. The bonus features take this release from great to a must own.


So, if you love Sci-fi horror B-movies as much as I do, this new Blu-ray from Film Masters is an absolute must add to your collection. Head over to MVD Shop or Amazon and order your copy today. You can watch it just in time for Halloween!

Out of 4 Film Reels (4Being the Best) Film Master's Blu-ray of The Giant Gila Monster & The Killer Shrews receives....