The Killer Shrews

[JBails]

This movie is amazing. It has one of the worst plots in movie history. Also, I love the main characters "brilliant" ideas...that actually work! It's complete absurdity, but it's worth a lot of laughs.

[nunyer]

you can download the full movie, for free, at archive.org http://www.archive.org/details/The_Killer_Shrews

[Trevor]

 

I have this on DVD and I still cannot believe that Sidney Lumet's Dad, Baruch, plays a mad scientist in it.

The movies' production design, set decoration and make up must have cost about $25. 

[Flangepart]

I almost bought this the otherday. it was on dvd.a double feature with the giant gila monster and the killer shrews.they are from the same director:kellog.He shot both movies in texas and were done at the same time.talk about a crammed schedule! it was only a 5 dollar dvd.

And on that note, did anyone else see the Animal Planet special where they used these two flicks to do a science of giant monsters programe?
Not a bad show.
Yep....gotta watch this with Mike and the bots.
Truth is, though, i found the "Waterdrum tank" kinda clever.

[HarlotBug3]

They tried here, they really tried.
Tried to give every actor their chance to steal the show.
Tried to encourage reflection on overpopulation.
Tried to break away from those 'cheesy' puppet monsters.

It really seasaws from start to finish between laugh out loud funny and lower your head sad.

[RCMerchant]

It's interesting to see James Best as a lead...as I always think of him as the the giggling idiot Roscoe P. Coltrane. I wouldv'e loved to see him bust out into his giggle routine and Ken Curtis doing his Festus shtick while battling the mutts...er shrews! Just rewatched it last night. A good,fun movie!

[Adele Abrams]

I'm another child of the '60's who saw this many times on Chiller Theater and similar programs that featured B-horror movies ... and it scared the s**t out of me, too! Only now, as an adult, do I realize that these were doggies with bad rugs (so to speak) ... I had nightmares over this many times and actually never realized until years later what a 'shrew' really was. This movie worked on so many levels, that I can forgive the cheesy effects. Watch out ... the killer shrews are coming!   

[wanderarbeiter]

I think my favorite part, besides the dogs, is the rampant alcoholism. 

[Giant Claw Jr]

Kind of like the movie VALLEY OF GWANGI where they make a prehistoric horse by sticking a fake nose and long legs on a small dog or the movie PLANET OF PREHISTORIC WOMEN and make a pteradactle from a duck

[Gary]

I saw this flick when I was a kid and it too gave me nightmares for not months but years. It was filmed just around the corner from where I live now in Texas and to this day when I see a high fence....I think of the Killer Shrews. When I see a dog with carpet on his back....I think of Killer Shrews.
 you can get a copy at Sinester Cinema and I have two copies. Seeing this as an adult does calm some fears from Childhood BUT.....when those damn Shrews burst in the house OR try and bite under those barrels I still cringe in fear.
 There are also model kits of the escape scene around.
I would LOVE someone with vision to re make this movie with good effects and even more important...good acting. THAT was the worse thing about this movie by far. But folks...next to Psycho this one scared the crap outa lots of young kids and adults in its time.

[kennyb50]

saw it a couple of times when i was 7 or 8. scared me s**tless.

[Andrew]

Updated the review, and bumped my rating for this to a full five slimes.  I have constantly come back to "The Killer Shrews" over the years, and every time I found it to be a blast.  The dogs in costume, the drinking, and the dialog are all just amazing b-movie cheese.

I used the newer DVD release by Legend for the updated review; anyone who loves "The Killer Shrews" (and "The Giant Gila Monster") should check it out. 

Click here to go to the Review

[Patient7]

I saw this movie a few years ago, I think it was my first black and white movie EVER!!  besides Three Stooges shorts that is.  Still, a great film.

[Jordan]

All I have to say is ....
"Kill-er Shrew! Kill-er Shrew! Don't know the diff-rence 'tween me or you! They come out at night, to give you a fright! Don't look now but they're gonna take a bi-ite!"

Gotta love this flick and the MST3K episode that heckles it. God bless dogs dressed in carpet remnants..... 

[Ozzymandias]

What can you say about a film that stars Roscoe p. Coltrane, Festus Hagen and one of the founding fathers of Top 40 radio, Gordon McClendon. McClendon and his father owned not only radio stations but several drive-ins in Texas. This and Giant Gila Monster were made to be shown at those drive-ins. McClendon also created the 24 hour news radio format, which influenced CNN and other cable news outlets.