BEAST FROM HAUNTED CAVE & SKI TROOP ATTACK: Roger Corman Goes to South Dakota (on purpose)

BEAST FROM HAUNTED CAVE / SKI TROOP ATTACK (Blu-ray)

1959 / 65 & 72 min (2 movies)

FROM FILM MASTERS

Review by Mr. Paws😼

A couple of early titles from the Roger Corman stable make up this two-disc set. They don’t rank among his few classics, but certainly demonstrate that nobody was better at getting two movies out of the same cast, crew and location (the snowy South Dakota mountains).

The first film, Beast from Haunted Cave has a gang of criminals trying to escape their latest heist by skiing through the mountains with the help of unwitting guide Gil Jackson (Michael Forest). Unfortunately, a nasty, spider-like critter starts hunting them down, cocooning his prey to snack on later. Though directed by Monte Hellman (his first), this one has Corman’s stamp all over it…cheaply made, but after a laborious first half, there’s some goofy fun to be had.

When you don't bring enough gum for everybody.

Corman immediately turned right around (directing this time) and cranked out Ski Troop Attack with most of the same guys and ski gear used in Beast from Haunted Cave. Atypically for Corman, it’s a WWII action drama featuring a small group of soldiers trekking behind enemy lines to battle Germans and blow up a bridge. Considering the meager budget and ample use of stock footage, we obviously ain’t exactly talking Bridge on the River Kwai here, but the movie ain’t half bad. It’s briskly paced and features decently written characters & performances. 

Both films are nicely restored and come with a few supplements, though pretty light on substantial bonus features. As for the movies themselves…no one watches Corman expecting great (or even good) cinema, but this set does show the man certainly knew how to get the most bang for his buck…if he even spent that much.

EXTRA KIBBLES 

SUPPLEMENTAL BOOKLET - Includes an interview with Chris Ronison, who design and played the title creaure in Beast from Haunted Cave, and an essay about Ski Troop Attack.

BEAST FROM HAUNTED CAVE

THEATRICAL & TV VERSIONS

AUDIO COMMENTARY - By author Tom Weaver and filmmaker Larry Blamire.

STILL GALLERY

SKI TROOP ATTACK

RESTORED 4:3 VERSION

HOLLYWOOD INTRUDERS: THE FILMGROUP STORY: PART ONE - A brief documentary.

AUDIO COMMENTARY - By author C. Cortney Joyner and filmmaker Hoard S. Berger.

TRAILER