DVD Pick of the Week – Attack of the 50 Foot Woman
Attack of the 50 Foot Woman
It isn’t all that often that a pure blood, true-blue slab of B-movie becomes elevated to a level of pop culture recognition enjoyed by Attack of the 50-Foot Woman. Compared to many of its contemporaries in the rampaging-mutant-giant-creature sub genre, Nathan Juran’s 1958 oddfest has endured a surprising legacy thanks in large part to stunning marketing, what with the ear-grabbing title and the poster you see above, in which the scantily-clad giant temptress plows through a highway interchange like it was a Tonka playset. And duh… it’s not a monster, it’s a buxom babe. Nearly fifty years later, the film still wins over fans with a delightful mix of appalling effects and less than stellar acting, which means this week’s DVD release from Warner’s Cult Camp Classics label is an absolute must.
What ne’er do well philandering husband isn’t going to recoil in horror at the sound of “Haarrry…Haaarrry!” after watching this film? Especially if his name actually IS Harry. In this case, Harry (William Hudson) is cheating on his alcoholic socialite wife, Nancy (Allison Hayes), who is already plenty peeved when her boozing results in no one believing her when she says she’s seen aliens. It’s a little hard for them to deny it when she begins growing to skyscraper like proportions, Hands down (no pun intended) the best effect in the film is a giant foam latex hand that gets sent down to scoop up victims. Hayes isn’t exactly Hepburn (Kate OR Audrey), but she’s looks great in large proportions, and what woman hasn’t lived through a day where she just wished she could crush everyone who pissed her off? I had two of those just last week; would have loved to smash a Hummer or two.
Also recommended this week: Cult Camp Classics, Volumes 1-4; Monk: Season 5; Mystery Science Theater 3000: Volume 11; Reno 911!: Season 4
- Nicole Campos
