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{{one source|date=July 2015}}
{{one source|date=July 2015}}
{{Infobox film
{{Infobox film
| name = King Dinosaur
| name = King Dinosaur
| image = kingdinosaurposter.jpg
| image = King Dinosaur.jpg

| image_size =
| caption = Theatrical release poster
| caption = Theatrical release poster
| director = [[Bert I. Gordon]]
| director = [[Bert I. Gordon]]
| producer = Bert I. Gordon<br/>[[Al Zimbalist]] (Executive Producer)
| writer = Bert I. Gordon<br />[[Tom Gries]]<br />[[Al Zimbalist]]
| writer = Bert I. Gordon<br/>[[Tom Gries]]<br/>Al Zimbalist
| producer = Bert I. Gordon<br />Al Zimbalist (Executive Producer)
⚫
| starring = [[William Bryant (actor)|William Bryant]]<br />[[Wanda Curtis (actress)|Wanda Curtis]]<br />[[Douglas Henderson (actor)|Douglas Henderson]]<br />[[Patti Gallagher]]
| narrator = [[Marvin Miller (actor)|Marvin Miller]]
| narrator = [[Marvin Miller (actor)|Marvin Miller]]
⚫
| starring = [[William Bryant (actor)|William Bryant]]<br/>[[Wanda Curtis (actress)|Wanda Curtis]]<br/>[[Douglas Henderson (actor)|Douglas Henderson]]<br/>[[Patti Gallagher]]
⚫
| music = Louis Palange<br/>Gene Garf (uncredited)
| cinematography = Gordon Avil
| cinematography = Gordon Avil
| editing = Jack Cornall
| editing = Jack Cornall
⚫
| music = Louis Palange<br />Gene Garf (uncredited)
| distributor = [[Lippert Pictures]]
| distributor = [[Lippert Pictures]]
| released =
| released = {{Film date|1955|06|17}}
| runtime = 63 min.
| runtime = 63 minutes
| country = United States
| country = United States
| language = English
| language = English
| budget = $15,000 (estimated)<ref name="AIP">Mark McGee, ''Faster and Furiouser: The Revised and Fattened Fable of American International Pictures'', McFarland, 1996 p105</ref>
| budget = $15,000 (estimated)<ref name="AIP">Mark McGee, ''Faster and Furiouser: The Revised and Fattened Fable of American International Pictures'', McFarland, 1996 p105</ref>
| gross =
| gross = $55,000<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/details/variety212-1958-09/page/n242/mode/1up?view=theater|magazine=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|title=Bert Gordon's Fancy Dan 'Fantasies'; Make 'Em For 429G and Net $1,071,000|date=September 17, 1958|page=24}}</ref>
| preceded_by =
| followed_by =
}}
}}


'''''King Dinosaur''''' is a 1955 [[science fiction film]] starring [[William Bryant (actor)|William Bryant]] and Wanda Curtis with narration by [[Marvin Miller (actor)|Marvin Miller]]. The film was featured on season 2 of ''[[Mystery Science Theater 3000]]''.
'''''King Dinosaur''''' is a 1955 [[science fiction film]] starring [[William Bryant (actor)|William Bryant]] and Wanda Curtis with narration by [[Marvin Miller (actor)|Marvin Miller]]. It was co-written, produced, and directed by [[Bert I. Gordon]], in his directorial debut. The film was featured on season 2 of ''[[Mystery Science Theater 3000]]''.


==Plot==
==Plot==
Five years in the future (1960), four scientists (zoologist Dr. Richard Gordon, geologist Dr. Nora Pierce, medical specialist Dr. Ralph Martin, and chemist Dr. Patrica Bennett) are selected as [[astronauts]] to travel to a planet called Nova that has just entered Earth's solar system. The crew begins studying the planet to see if it's suitable for a possible Earth colony. After first discovering normal Earth animals such as a [[kinkajou]] which they refer to as a [[lemur]], [[crow]]s which they call [[vulture]]s, and an alligator, they soon encounter and battle giant insects, an enormous snake, and prehistoric mammals.
Five years in the future (1960), four scientists (zoologist Dr. Richard Gordon, geologist Dr. Nora Pierce, medical specialist Dr. Ralph Martin, and chemist Dr. Patrica Bennett) are selected as [[astronauts]] to travel to an ancient planet called Nova that has just entered Earth's [[Solar System]]. The crew begins studying the planet to see if it is suitable for a possible Earth colony. After first discovering normal Earth animals such as a [[kinkajou]] which they refer to as a [[lemur]], [[crow]]s which they call [[vulture]]s, and an [[alligator]] (A Prehistoric species called [[Diplocynodon]]), they soon encounter and battle giant insects, an enormous snake known as [[Gigantophis]], and prehistoric mammals like a [[Cave Bear]], a [[Mastodon]], and a [[Glyptodont]].


Richard and Nora paddle a raft out to an island and are trapped in a cave by the titular character, King Dinosaur, an [[Iguana]] coaxed to stand on its hind legs. They fire off a signal flare. Back on the mainland near their spaceship, Ralph and Patricia see the distress signal, grab the auxiliary nuclear power supply and paddle their raft out to the island to rescue Richard and Nora. Before they leave the island, they set the power supply to "unharness" in thirty minutes and leave it on the island. After encountering more prehistoric monsters, they reach their spaceship. The power supply blows up the island in a nuclear mushroom cloud, rendering King Dinosaur and the other dinosaurs of Nova extinct.
Richard and Nora paddle a raft out to an island and are trapped in a cave by Prehistoric Reptiles, even a [[Tyrannosaurus|Tyrannosaurus rex]] (portrayed by a [[green iguana]]). They fire off a signal flare. Back on the mainland near their spaceship, Ralph and Patricia see the distress signal, grab the auxiliary nuclear power supply and paddle their raft out to the island to rescue Richard and Nora. Before they leave the island, they set the power supply to "unharness" in 30 minutes and leave it on the island. After encountering more prehistoric creatures, they reach their spaceship. The power supply blows up the island in a nuclear [[mushroom cloud]], rendering King Dinosaur and the other dinosaurs of Nova extinct.


==Cast==
==Cast==
*[[William Bryant (actor)|William Bryant]] &mdash; Dr. Ralph Martin
* [[William Bryant (actor)|William Bryant]] – Dr. Ralph Martin
*[[Wanda Curtis (actress)|Wanda Curtis]] &mdash; Dr. Patricia Bennett
* Wanda Curtis – Dr. Patricia Bennett
*[[Douglas Henderson (actor)|Douglas Henderson]] &mdash; Dr. Richard Gordon
* [[Douglas Henderson (actor)|Douglas Henderson]] – Dr. Richard Gordon
*[[Patti Gallagher]]&mdash; Nora Pierce
* Patti Gallagher – Nora Pierce
*[[Marvin Miller (actor)|Marvin Miller]] &mdash; Narrator
* [[Marvin Miller (actor)|Marvin Miller]] – Narrator


==Production==
==Production==
Filming started September 1954.<ref>Schallert, E. (1954, Sep 08). Alex nicol to menace stewart; 'strange new men' bids for calhern. Los Angeles Times (1923-Current File) Retrieved from https://search-proquest-com.ezproxy.sl.nsw.gov.au/docview/166676269?accountid=13902</ref>
Filming started in September 1954.<ref>{{cite news|author=Schallert, E.|title=Alex nicol to menace stewart; 'strange new men' bids for calhern|date=Sep 8, 1954|work=Los Angeles Times|id={{ProQuest|166676269}}}}</ref>


The film was directed over a seven-day period by [[Bert I. Gordon]] and was Gordon's debut. The camera and other pieces of equipment were borrowed and the cast worked for deferred salaries.<ref name="AIP"/>
The film was directed over a seven-day period by [[Bert I. Gordon]] and was Gordon's debut. The camera and other pieces of equipment were borrowed and the cast worked for deferred salaries.<ref name="AIP"/>


The scene of the attacking [[mammoth]] was stock footage recycled from the film ''[[One Million BC]]''.
The scene of the attacking [[mammoth]] was stock footage recycled from the film ''[[One Million B.C.]]''.


There were only four actors in this film. The rest of the band and soldiers were just military stock footage, as was the footage of the atomic bomb explosions.
There were only four actors in this film. The rest of the band and soldiers were just military stock footage, as was the footage of the atomic bomb explosions.


==Mystery Science Theater 3000==
==''Mystery Science Theater 3000''==


The film was featured in a second-season episode of ''[[Mystery Science Theater 3000]]'' in December 1990.
The film was featured in a second-season episode of ''[[Mystery Science Theater 3000]]'' in December 1990.
Line 54: Line 52:


TV Guide gave the movie one out of five stars, stating that the quickness of the movie shooting shows.<ref>[https://www.tvguide.com/movies/king-dinosaur/review/103223/ "King Dinosaur" Review, TV Guide.]</ref> Film historian [[Leonard Maltin]] rated the movie 0 of 4 stars, describing it as "First and worst of director Gordon's many 1950s sci-fi films .... Boring, silly, and awesomely cheap ...."<ref>[http://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/80315/King-Dinosaur/ "King Dinosaur", Turner Classic Movies.]</ref>
TV Guide gave the movie one out of five stars, stating that the quickness of the movie shooting shows.<ref>[https://www.tvguide.com/movies/king-dinosaur/review/103223/ "King Dinosaur" Review, TV Guide.]</ref> Film historian [[Leonard Maltin]] rated the movie 0 of 4 stars, describing it as "First and worst of director Gordon's many 1950s sci-fi films .... Boring, silly, and awesomely cheap ...."<ref>[http://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/80315/King-Dinosaur/ "King Dinosaur", Turner Classic Movies.]</ref>

==See also==
* [[List of films featuring dinosaurs]]


==References==
==References==
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== External links ==
== External links ==
{{Wikiquote}}
{{Wikiquote}}
* {{imdb title | id=0048256 | title=King Dinosaur}}
* {{IMDb title | id=0048256 | title=King Dinosaur}}
* {{Tcmdb title|80315|King Dinosaur}}
* {{TCMDb title|80315|King Dinosaur}}
* {{Amg movie|27388|King Dinosaur}}
* {{AllMovie title|27388|King Dinosaur}}
* {{imdb title | id=0655430 | title=Mystery Science Theater 3000: King Dinosaur}}
* {{IMDb title | id=0655430 | title=Mystery Science Theater 3000: King Dinosaur}}


{{Bert I. Gordon}}
{{Bert I. Gordon}}


[[Category:1955 films]]
[[Category:1955 films]]
⚫
[[Category:1950s monster movies]]
⚫
[[Category:1950s science fiction films]]
[[Category:Giant monster films]]
[[Category:Giant monster films]]
[[Category:Films about astronauts]]
[[Category:Films about astronauts]]
[[Category:Films about extraterrestrial life]]
[[Category:Films about extraterrestrial life]]
[[Category:Dinosaur films]]
[[Category:Films about dinosaurs]]
⚫
[[Category:1950s science fiction films]]
⚫
[[Category:American films]]
[[Category:American black-and-white films]]
[[Category:American black-and-white films]]
[[Category:Films directed by Bert I. Gordon]]
[[Category:Films directed by Bert I. Gordon]]
[[Category:Lippert Pictures films]]
[[Category:Lippert Pictures films]]
[[Category:Films set in 1960]]
[[Category:Films set in the future]]
[[Category:Films set on fictional islands]]
[[Category:Films set on fictional planets]]
[[Category:1950s English-language films]]
[[Category:American science fiction films]]

Revision as of 22:59, 6 May 2024

King Dinosaur
Theatrical release poster
Directed byBert I. Gordon
Written byBert I. Gordon
Tom Gries
Al Zimbalist
Produced byBert I. Gordon
Al Zimbalist (Executive Producer)
StarringWilliam Bryant
Wanda Curtis
Douglas Henderson
Patti Gallagher
Narrated byMarvin Miller
CinematographyGordon Avil
Edited byJack Cornall
Music byLouis Palange
Gene Garf (uncredited)
Distributed byLippert Pictures
Release date
  • June 17, 1955 (1955-06-17)
Running time
63 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$15,000 (estimated)[1]
Box office$55,000[2]

King Dinosaur is a 1955 science fiction film starring William Bryant and Wanda Curtis with narration by Marvin Miller. It was co-written, produced, and directed by Bert I. Gordon, in his directorial debut. The film was featured on season 2 of Mystery Science Theater 3000.

Plot

Five years in the future (1960), four scientists (zoologist Dr. Richard Gordon, geologist Dr. Nora Pierce, medical specialist Dr. Ralph Martin, and chemist Dr. Patrica Bennett) are selected as astronauts to travel to an ancient planet called Nova that has just entered Earth's Solar System. The crew begins studying the planet to see if it is suitable for a possible Earth colony. After first discovering normal Earth animals such as a kinkajou which they refer to as a lemur, crows which they call vultures, and an alligator (A Prehistoric species called Diplocynodon), they soon encounter and battle giant insects, an enormous snake known as Gigantophis, and prehistoric mammals like a Cave Bear, a Mastodon, and a Glyptodont.

Richard and Nora paddle a raft out to an island and are trapped in a cave by Prehistoric Reptiles, even a Tyrannosaurus rex (portrayed by a green iguana). They fire off a signal flare. Back on the mainland near their spaceship, Ralph and Patricia see the distress signal, grab the auxiliary nuclear power supply and paddle their raft out to the island to rescue Richard and Nora. Before they leave the island, they set the power supply to "unharness" in 30 minutes and leave it on the island. After encountering more prehistoric creatures, they reach their spaceship. The power supply blows up the island in a nuclear mushroom cloud, rendering King Dinosaur and the other dinosaurs of Nova extinct.

Cast

Production

Filming started in September 1954.[3]

The film was directed over a seven-day period by Bert I. Gordon and was Gordon's debut. The camera and other pieces of equipment were borrowed and the cast worked for deferred salaries.[1]

The scene of the attacking mammoth was stock footage recycled from the film One Million B.C..

There were only four actors in this film. The rest of the band and soldiers were just military stock footage, as was the footage of the atomic bomb explosions.

Mystery Science Theater 3000

The film was featured in a second-season episode of Mystery Science Theater 3000 in December 1990.

Reception

TV Guide gave the movie one out of five stars, stating that the quickness of the movie shooting shows.[4] Film historian Leonard Maltin rated the movie 0 of 4 stars, describing it as "First and worst of director Gordon's many 1950s sci-fi films .... Boring, silly, and awesomely cheap ...."[5]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b Mark McGee, Faster and Furiouser: The Revised and Fattened Fable of American International Pictures, McFarland, 1996 p105
  2. ^ "Bert Gordon's Fancy Dan 'Fantasies'; Make 'Em For 429G and Net $1,071,000". Variety. September 17, 1958. p. 24.
  3. ^ Schallert, E. (Sep 8, 1954). "Alex nicol to menace stewart; 'strange new men' bids for calhern". Los Angeles Times. ProQuest 166676269.
  4. ^ "King Dinosaur" Review, TV Guide.
  5. ^ "King Dinosaur", Turner Classic Movies.

External links

Wikiquote has quotations related to King Dinosaur.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=King_Dinosaur&oldid=1222613693"