Reviews

Viewed this one for the first time in the summer of 2015.

Discovering it on an ancient ' Prism ' video cassette.

A treat for more than one reason.

If you're of a certain age or just an enthusiast of old films and television, you're in for at least a half dozen surprises concerning the cast. Characters pop up on a regular basis from the 60's and 70's, who, you may not immediately connect the face with a name, but you know you know them.

You have Red Buttons unlike I've never seen him. Don't want to call him a ' tough guy ' but he doesn't take any bull and he knows how to use his fists. Yes, that Red Buttons. Amazingly, it's not at all awkward and he plays it very, very well.

If, like me, you miss his name in the opening credits, you will eventually realize who the amateur film maker was who recorded ' Mary ' in the last moments of her life.

Late 60's , early 70's bleakness, to be sure. Throw - a - way citizens and how large parts of New York, and most other large, American cities, were allowed to deteriorate to the point that they did.

Worth looking for.

I've seen this film being bashed before within other circles and forums and I'm always somewhat puzzled by it. We're talking 1950's era, 3-D, monster hokum here folks. Fun, lighthearted with none of it meant to be taken all that seriously. It's sort of like trying to critique, ' Plan 9 From Outer Space ' ; it's all a little beyond that, isn't it ? Let's all go to the Saturday matinée for some laughs and a good time ! Visually enjoyable in wonderful color, great nostalgia value centering around the old amusement park with the fun house, room of mirrors, dodgems, trapeze act and all the rest. Including cotton candy ! The impressive, high profile cast, ( see the credits for yourself ) must of been having a grand old time with it all. The unoriginality of the ' gorilla ' is usually the main focus point for the films negative comments. Sure, you keep an eye on him to stay up to speed with the story but Anne Bancroft is, of course, the main attraction. At twenty - something and gorgeous, she spends the majority of her on screen time in Capri swim suits and black, fishnet tights; often contorted or strategically placed into unconventional physical positions. Yessiree. So who was paying attention to the big monkey ? MONTER ON THE MIDWAY !! Recommended.