MONSTER FROM THE OCEAN FLOOR (1954)
Director: Wyott Ordung
Rhino

Those fans expecting to see THE MONSTER FROM THE OCEAN FLOOR will have a bit of a wait as the director keeps the monster off-camera for the better part of the film. This was producer Roger Corman's first, if not early foray into the genre. And it was made for a mere $12,000 and made the money back because of the drive-in phenomenon Corman helped create.

The director Wyott Ordung appears in the film and is justly famous for writing the screenplay for the infamous and essential ROBOT MONSTER (1953). Considering the six day shooting schedule and lack of professional actors (except for the ever-dependable Jonathan Haze) one cannot be too harsh in judging such an effort as it does deliver a bug-eyed, 50s-style monster, even if it's only for a couple of minutes. After all, who was watching the screen during its initial release anyway?

Science-fiction has progressed so much with special effects and digital magic that is important to view features like this just to keep in mind what a producer like Roger Corman could do for the cost of a new car at the time. His record is now legendary and the people he helped start in the business reads like the Who's Who in today's film industry.

This reviewer doubts that anyone under the age of 35 would even want to sit through MONSTER FROM THE OCEAN FLOOR but if you are a connoisseur of bad, bad movies and especially if titles like PHANTOM FROM 20,000 LEAGUES, BEAST WITH A MILLION EYES and the granddaddy of them all, INVASION OF THE SAUCER MEN, then you will invest ten bucks in Roger Corman's little six-day wonder.

Sound quality varies throughout the film and overall is quite poor. The print quality, except for a few anticipated specks and blotches, is quite good. Images are crisp and clear and underwater sequences are a little murky but will not disappoint. (Christopher Dietrich)

 

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