The Giant Gila Monster

The Giant Gila Monster
Theatrical release poster
Directed byRay Kellogg
Screenplay byJay Simms
Story byRay Kellogg
Produced by
Starring
Narrated byGordon McLendon
CinematographyWilfred M. Cline
Edited byAaron Stell
Music byJack Marshall
Don Sullivan (songs)
Distributed byMcLendon-Radio Pictures Distributing Company
Release date
  • July 15, 1959 (1959-07-15)
Running time
75 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$138,000

The Giant Gila Monster is a 1959 American monster film directed by Ray Kellogg and produced by Ken Curtis. A famous B-movie of the era, the film stars Don Sullivan, a veteran of several low budget monster and zombie films, and Lisa Simone, the French contestant for the 1957 Miss Universe, as well as comedic actor Shug Fisher and KLIF disc jockey Ken Knox. The effects included a live Mexican beaded lizard, instead of a Gila monster, that was filmed on a scaled-down model landscape. The film was released by McLendon Radio Pictures on July 15, 1959. It played on a double feature with The Killer Shrews (1959).