The Giant Gila Monster / The Killer Shrews (1959) Blu-ray - Blu-ray Forum

MifuneFan · 05-05-2023, 09:14 PM

A double-feature of sci-fi horror films, The Giant Gila Monster, and The Killer Shrews (1959) will be making their way to Blu-ray from a label called Film Masters. Gia Monster will be sourced from a new 4K rscan, while Killer Shrews (labeled a bonus film) will be from an HD print. This Blu-ray will feature commentary tracks for both films, as well as a documentary from Ballyhoo Motion Pictures. The films will be presented in fullscreen, and widescreen. I'm not sure if Film Master is an offshoot ofThe Film Detective, as this release feels pretty similar to the latter's releases.

https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/The-G...lu-ray/337775/

Quote:

Bonus Materials

RAY KELLOGG-AN UNSUNG MASTER: A Ballyhoo Motion Pictures documentary written by C. Courtney Joyner and narrated by Larry Blamire
Full Commentary of The Giant Gila Monster by Larry Strothe, James Gonis, Shawn Sheridan, and Matt Weinhold from The Monster Party Podcast
Full Commentary of The Killer Shrews by Professor and Film Scholar, Jason A. Ney
Full Color inserted booklet with essays by Don Stradley and Jason A. Ney
Both films are also offered in 4x3, in additional to the theatrical 16x9.

Quote:

The classic era of drive-in schlock was near its end in 1959, but there was still time for The Giant Gila Monster and The Killer Shrews, a pair of no-budget howlers from producer Gordon McLendon. In The Giant Gila Monster, a lizard takes on a small town. If that's not enough for you, there are plenty of cool cars and some ersatz rock 'n' roll sung by the movie's star, Don Sullivan (The Monster of Piedras Blancas). The Killer Shrews stars James Best (The Dukes of Hazard) as a riverboat pilot stuck on an island where the shrews are the size of German Shepherds. The cast includes Ken Curtis (Gunsmoke) and Ingrid Goude (Miss Universe, 1957). These two features were originally released on a double-bill. Trust us - they belong together!

Rzzzz · 05-05-2023, 09:23 PM

I think you are right which is great news. I was getting a little worried about Film Detective. Hopefully they can put some of the Wade Williams films on this label if they were able to work things out with his heirs...

[Show spoiler]

Blu2u · 05-05-2023, 09:23 PM

Yeah, it does look like Film Detective and I'm pretty sure they are partnered with Ballyhoo as far as extras. I wonder if this is due to Wade Williams dying.

MifuneFan · 05-05-2023, 09:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rzzzz

[Show spoiler]

I think you are right which is great news. I was getting a little worried about Film Detective. Hopefully they can put some of the Wade Williams films on this label if they were able to work things out with his heirs...

Yeah, that's why I'm pretty sure it's TFD. They've put out several from the Wade Williams collection previously:

(Pretty sure there others from that collection, but just wanted to highlight some of the sci-fi/horror ones)

Mikezilla3k · 05-05-2023, 09:36 PM

And the lord said laugh, children laugh.........

This news is cause enough for a drink:

Rzzzz · 05-05-2023, 09:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MifuneFan

Yeah, that's why I'm pretty sure it's TFD. They've put out several from the Wade Williams collection previously:

[Show spoiler]

Yeah, I have 4 of those. That's what I was worried about. There are so many more I want (not even counting the Ed Wood films). It seemed like everything stopped just before Mr. Williams passed away. I'm not sure if the first deal was done or if his death had something to with it. I don't really know how these deals work...

Rzzzz · 05-05-2023, 09:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blu2u

Yeah, it does look like Film Detective and I'm pretty sure they are partnered with Ballyhoo as far as extras. I wonder if this is due to Wade Williams dying.

That's what I was wondering as well...

Röckzilla · 05-05-2023, 10:22 PM

YES!!!

Two of my all-time favorites finally on Blu-ray!

Automaton-X · 05-06-2023, 07:17 AM

So glad to see these coming out, especially KILLER SHREWS. SHREWS is a lot better film than it should be in regards to its budget. But the director does good with what little he has. Certain scenes have a creepy vibe to them. Plus, James Best (aka Roscoe P. Coletrain, of The Dukes of Hazzard) and "Festus" (Gunsmoke) get in a knockdown drag-out. Gotta love it! Best carries the film, and everything is pretty much played serious and straight.

All the versions of SHREWS that I've ever seen were poor copies with washed out black levels. This caused the film to look muddy and didn't help the fact that the movie was already made on the cheap. In any case, I look forward to seeing this in much better condition. It would be nice if Film Masters could provide reversible artwork with the opposite side having a large image of THE KILLER SHREWS poster and a smaller image of GILA.

Moonlight Shadow · 05-06-2023, 08:17 AM

I wish "The Killer Shrews" would be the main feature, it's a much better mivie than "The Giant Gila Monster".

Katatonia · 05-06-2023, 08:31 AM

Yeah, I also like The Killer Shrews more to be honest.

I'll definitely grab this when it comes out. I only have an old $1 Digiview DVD of Shrews. The quality was actually decent for a public domain DVD, but obviously it's time to upgrade.

Dragon78 · 05-06-2023, 10:59 AM

Killer Shrews?

Professor Echo · 05-06-2023, 11:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dragon78

Killer Shrews?

That's actually a typo.

[Show spoiler]

sa5150 · 05-06-2023, 10:19 PM

I have the bayview dvd of both from retromedia and definitely love the killer shrews ,scary movie . This should be a nice upgrade . They should of had the Killer shrews as the top movie .

annubis44 · 05-08-2023, 01:23 PM

Killer Shrew, Killer Shrew,
K-I-double-L-E-R Shrew.
He's scary and tough,
If that ain't enough,
He's augmented with
Bath mats and stuff.

Rayjg · 05-08-2023, 02:37 PM

Whatever they're calling themselves now hopefully they turn down the DNR dial.

MifuneFan · 05-08-2023, 03:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dragon78

Killer Shrews?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Professor Echo

That's actually a typo.

[Show spoiler]

You all got me triple-checking the title to make sure that I spelled it correctly

bsend · 05-08-2023, 05:25 PM

Excited for The Killer Shrews. Will be buying this.

WaverBoy · 05-14-2023, 05:53 PM

Just found out about this, can’t wait! Never thought these two lowly-but-lovable drive-in schlockers would ever hit Blu, but lo and behold, here they come, with one of them from a 4K restoration even (HOLY SHIT), a commentary and two aspect ratio presentations for each film, a Ray Kellogg documentary (just repeat those unlikely words a few times in your head) and even a booklet fer chrissakes! Color me flabbergasted.

JohnCarpenterLives · 05-14-2023, 07:54 PM

I realize it may be a controversial opinion but I would love to see the MST3k episodes as "special features" on these. I would scoop them up in an instant.

05-06-2023, 07:17 AM	#9
Automaton-X Active Member Member since:Jan 2016 Blu-ray collection:110 DVD collection:1 Trading Score:1	So glad to see these coming out, especially KILLER SHREWS. SHREWS is a lot better film than it should be in regards to its budget. But the director does good with what little he has. Certain scenes have a creepy vibe to them. Plus, James Best (aka Roscoe P. Coletrain, of The Dukes of Hazzard) and "Festus" (Gunsmoke) get in a knockdown drag-out. Gotta love it! Best carries the film, and everything is pretty much played serious and straight. All the versions of SHREWS that I've ever seen were poor copies with washed out black levels. This caused the film to look muddy and didn't help the fact that the movie was already made on the cheap. In any case, I look forward to seeing this in much better condition. It would be nice if Film Masters could provide reversible artwork with the opposite side having a large image of THE KILLER SHREWS poster and a smaller image of GILA. Last edited by Automaton-X; 05-07-2023 at 01:47 AM.

05-05-2023, 09:23 PM	#2
Rzzzz Banned Member since:Nov 2016 Location:Behind enemy lines 4K collection:18 Blu-ray collection:1414 DVD collection:535 Blu-ray reviews: 6	I think you are right which is great news. I was getting a little worried about Film Detective. Hopefully they can put some of the Wade Williams films on this label if they were able to work things out with his heirs... [Show spoiler]

05-05-2023, 09:23 PM	#3
Blu2u Power Member Member since:Jan 2012 Trading Score:228	Yeah, it does look like Film Detective and I'm pretty sure they are partnered with Ballyhoo as far as extras. I wonder if this is due to Wade Williams dying.

05-05-2023, 10:22 PM	#8
Röckzilla Special Member Member since:Oct 2022 Location:California's Thrashin' Bay Area! \m/ 4K collection:520 Blu-ray collection:2614	*YES!!!* Two of my all-time favorites finally on Blu-ray!

05-06-2023, 08:17 AM	#10
Moonlight Shadow Expert Member Top contributor Member since:Nov 2007	I wish "The Killer Shrews" would be the main feature, it's a much better mivie than "The Giant Gila Monster".

05-06-2023, 08:31 AM	#11
Katatonia Blu-ray Grand Duke Top contributor Member since:Nov 2010 Location:Missouri, USA 4K collection:920 Blu-ray collection:8205 DVD collection:3655 Digital collection:33 Prime collection:97 Blu-ray reviews: 30 Trading Score:156	Yeah, I also like The Killer Shrews more to be honest. I'll definitely grab this when it comes out. I only have an old $1 Digiview DVD of Shrews. The quality was actually decent for a public domain DVD, but obviously it's time to upgrade.

05-06-2023, 10:59 AM	#12
Dragon78 Blu-ray Ninja Member since:Jan 2019	Killer Shrews?

05-06-2023, 10:19 PM	#14
sa5150 Blu-ray Samurai Member since:Dec 2011 Location:Chicago IL 4K collection:147 Blu-ray collection:870 DVD collection:322 Digital collection:7 iTunes collection:3 Prime collection:4 Blu-ray reviews:10 Trading Score:40	I have the bayview dvd of both from retromedia and definitely love the killer shrews ,scary movie . This should be a nice upgrade . They should of had the Killer shrews as the top movie .

05-08-2023, 01:23 PM	#15
annubis44 Active Member Top contributor Member since:Oct 2010 Location:Cincinnati, Ohio 4K collection:237 Blu-ray collection:3011 DVD collection:139 Digital collection:575 Blu-ray reviews: 2 Trading Score:32	Killer Shrew, Killer Shrew, K-I-double-L-E-R Shrew. He's scary and tough, If that ain't enough, He's augmented with Bath mats and stuff.

05-08-2023, 02:37 PM	#16
Rayjg Blu-ray Champion Member since:Aug 2016	Whatever they're calling themselves now hopefully they turn down the DNR dial.

05-08-2023, 05:25 PM	#18
bsend Blu-ray Ninja Member since:Nov 2015 4K collection:280 Blu-ray collection:4058 DVD collection:2000	Excited for The Killer Shrews. Will be buying this.

05-14-2023, 05:53 PM	#19
WaverBoy Blu-ray Knight Member since:May 2013 Location:Seattle, WA Blu-ray reviews:1 Trading Score:5	Just found out about this, can’t wait! Never thought these two lowly-but-lovable drive-in schlockers would ever hit Blu, but lo and behold, here they come, with one of them from a 4K restoration even (HOLY SHIT), a commentary and two aspect ratio presentations for each film, a Ray Kellogg documentary (just repeat those unlikely words a few times in your head) and even a booklet fer chrissakes! Color me flabbergasted.

05-14-2023, 07:54 PM	#20
JohnCarpenterLives Blu-ray Samurai Top contributor Member since:Sep 2008 4K collection:232 Blu-ray collection:993 DVD collection:419 Trading Score:5	I realize it may be a controversial opinion but I would love to see the MST3k episodes as "special features" on these. I would scoop them up in an instant.

Best Blu-ray Movie Deals