The Crater Lake Monster

Infobox Film
name = The Crater Lake Monster


image_size = 170px
caption = Film poster
director = William R. Stromberg
writer = William R. Stromberg
Richard Cardella
narrator =
starring = Richard Cardella Glen Roberts Kacey Cobb
music =
cinematography =
editing =
distributor = Crown International Pictures
released = 1977
runtime = 85 minutes
country = USA
language = English
budget =
gross =
followed_by =
website =
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imdb_id =

"The Crater Lake Monster" is a 1977 B-rated horror film directed by William R. Stromberg for Crown International Pictures, and starring Richard Cardella. The script was also written by Stromberg and Cardella, and their affiliation with "The Crater Lake Monster" marked the zenith of their careers.

The storyline revolves around a giant plesiosaur, akin to the Loch Ness Monster, which appears in Crater Lake, next to a small Californian town. As people are attacked by the monster, the Sheriff (Cardella) investigates along with a group of scientists in order to stop the creature.

The film is mostly notable for being an example of David W. Allen's early stop-motion animation, and "the best thing about the movie (make that the "only" thing)". Otherwise, the film was widely panned by critics, with DVD Drive-In calling it "one of the worst giant monster flicks of all time".cite web| last = Reis| first = George | title = "THE CRATER LAKE MONSTER" (Review)| publisher = DVD Drive-In| url = http://www.dvddrive-in.com/reviews/a-d/craterlakemonster.htm| accessdate = 2007-10-14 ] The film suffered from financing and publication problems with Crown International; as Cardella recounts:

Despite being a critical and commercial flop, the camp appeal of the film led to a VHS release on United Home Video, and DVD release on Rhino Home Video.

References