Released in 1959 The Giant Gila Monster is just one in a long line of movies about giants that run amok. The Gila Monster hates teenagers. Well, to be fair who doesn't? After some guy (the narrator? a scientist?) tells us no one knows how big a gila monster can grow (um...scientist can) we see two teenagers sitting together in a car enjoying music. Suddenly, the car is knocked off a cliff and the monster crushes it. The movie continues at a diner where the local teenagers gather. A quirky old man enters and asks for 'a snort of that there sodie pop.'. Me thinks he hast been snorting something else. Anyway, the father of one of the missing kids asks the Sheriff to look for his son.
The Sheriff talks to our main character, Chase, and we see the two are good buddies. A bit later Chases' boss comes in with several cases of nitroglycerin. Chase demonstrates why we all hate teenagers, by pointing out how much more he knows about nitroglycerin than his boss. Though, i have to wonder which is worse; a teenager with nitroglycerin or an old man. Chase and the Sheriff investigate a wreck later on and the Sheriff lets Chase steal a headlight from the wrecked car. That's the spirit!
We see the Gila Monster lurking about and learn he also hates smokers, as he kills a man about to light up. Chase later helps a drunk who crashed due to sped up footage. Chase is a really 'swell' guy, to use an outdated phrase. In fact, he's just a little too good to be true. The Sheriff asks Chase for help in searching for the missing kids. Does the police force of this small town just consist of the Sheriff? Chase and his girlfriend, who apparently is French (though sounds spanish) begin searching.
While driving down the road Chases' boss suddenly yells and his truck flips over and explodes. The Gila Monster has struck...apparently. Later, Chase sings for his disabled little sister. This goes on for far too long. I signed up for a giant monster, not songs! Don't give me songs!
The quirky old man, we see, is a drunk and plays chicken with a train. The Gila Monster destroys a section of the track, causing a nice model train wreck. Even though its just a model and a normal size lizard, as a kid i always though this was well done and the highlight of the movie. Out of the blue the Sheriff starts going on about giants. Apparently he talked to a Zoologist off screen. Still, this just comes outta nowhere.
Chase then goes to a barn party. At some point, also off screen, Chase recorded a record demo and it is played at the party. I'm telling you this guy is too perfect. He works on cars, helps the Sheriff, has a French girlfriend, takes care of his sister and cuts records. This man has too much time on his hands. What, is he Batman or Wolverine? Anyway, while Chase sings the Gila Monster approaches the barn. It bursts through the barn wall, which thankfully cuts short Chases' song. The Sheriff takes aim with a riffle but all it does is drive the monster off.
Chase decides he can do better than the Sheriff and takes off on his own. He takes four canisters of nitroglycerin and drives off...through the rough and rocky terrain of...wherever the heck they are. Chase jumps out of his hotrod, it stays on course hitting the Gila Monster and explodes. The Sheriff tells Chase the railroad company will buy him a new car (why?). Everyone smiles, watches the lizard burn and we have...The End.
This is another movie that is best viewed through the guidance of robots, as Mystery Science Theater 3000 covered this film. The thing is, there isn't even a proper gila monster in this movie. They used a Mexican Beaded Lizard. Cause actual gila monsters are dangerous you know. I've always been a fan of the giant rampaging monsters of the 50s and 60s. Though this isn't one of the better ones, its good for a laugh. Besides, where else are you gonna see a hotrod drive into a giant lizard and explode?
