Elaine DuPont Movies
- 1965
This hysterically awful rubber-suit monster romp stars Jon Hall (who also directed) as an embittered marine researcher who is so incredibly annoyed by the rock and roll antics of the fun-loving teens who hang out near his Waikiki beach house that he decides to create a slimy fish-monster to silence them once and for all. The beast manages to wipe out a fair portion of beach bums and bummettes, but somehow the pesky kids just keep multiplying and coming back more annoying than before -- surfing, gyrating (to tunes by Frank Sinatra, Jr.) and throwing the odd clambake. Not a very distinguished comeback for former Ramar of the Jungle Hall, this nevertheless has a certain ugly charm, according it "so-bad-it's-good" status. Released to television as Monster from the Surf. ~ Cavett Binion, All Movie Guide
- 1959
This goofy cult classic incorporates the most entertaining elements of AIP's drive-in favorites from the '50s and '60s by taking hot-rodding teen gangs and plunking them down in a haunted-house horror scenario, with a sizable splash of beach blanket antics, pajama parties, and plenty of good old Rock & Roll... not to mention some of the lamest attempts at "hip" comic shtick ever committed to film. The story is incidental, but it allows ample opportunity to showcase the aforementioned ingredients, along with appearances by B-movie veteran Russ Bender, AIP musical fave Jimmie Madden, and future real-life hot-rodder "TV" Tommy Ivo. There's even an appearance from the tennis-shoe-sporting She Creature from the film of the same name... but apparently it's a "He Creature" this time, since the filmmakers have removed the monster's humongous armor-plated breasts. Also known as The Haunted Hot-Rod. ~ Cavett Binion, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jody Fair, Martin Braddock, (more)
- 1955
Dale Robertson stars as the Son of Sinbad in this tongue-in-cheek Arabian Nights romp. Hoping to rescue Bagdad from the forces of the dreaded Tamerlaine, Sinbad Jr. enlists the aid of the Khalif (Leon Askin) by promising to deliver the secret of "Greek Fire". To expedite this, he enlists the aid of the lovely Kristina (Mari Blanchard), who has memorized said secret. When the bad guys threaten the safety of hero and heroine, slave girl Ameer (Sally Forrest), who heads the all-female descendants of the original Forty Thieves, come galloping to the rescue. Personally produced by Howard Hughes, Son of Sinbad seems to be a clearing house for all of Hughes' voyeuristic fetishes; at one point, stripteaser Lili St. Cyr performs an exotic (and erotic) dance wearing the equivalent of a postage stamp, earning a Condemned rating from the Catholic Legion of Decency. The overabundance of feminie pulchritude gets a little wearing after a while, and it is up to Vincent Price to steal the show as Omar the Tentmaker, improvising passages of his unpublished "Rubiyat" (with a few anachronistic Shakespearean quotes thrown in) as he tries to keep apace with the hero. Also on hand is an uncredited (and fully clothed) Kim Novak as a handmaiden. More silly than sexy when seen today, Son of Sinbad is acceptable nonthink entertainment. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Dale Robertson, Sally Forrest, (more)
