KINGDOM OF THE SPIDERS (1977, USA, 97m, 15) ***
Horror, Sci-Fi
dist. Dimension Pictures (USA), Enterprises Pictures Limited (UK); pr co. Arachnid Productions; d. John ‘Bud’ Cardos; w. Richard Robinson, Alan Caillou (based on a story by Jeffrey M. Sneller and Stephen Lodge); pr. Igo Kantor, Jeffrey M. Sneller; ph. John Arthur Morrill (Eastmancolor | 1.85:1); m sup. Igo Kantor; ed. Igo Kantor, Steven Zaillian.
cast: William Shatner (Dr. Robert ‘Rack’ Hansen), Tiffany Bolling (Diane Ashley), Woody Strode (Walter Colby), Lieux Dressler (Emma Washburn), David McLean (Gene Smith), Natasha Ryan (Linda Hansen), Altovise Davis (Birch Colby), Joe Ross (Vern Johnson), Marcy Lafferty (Terry Hansen), Adele Malis-Morey (Betty Johnson), Roy Engel (Mayor Connors), Hoke Howell (Earl Forbes), Bill Coontz (Clyde (as Bill Foster)), Whitey Hughes (The Baron), Jay Lawrence (Deputy), Bettie Bolling (Mildred), Anita Merritt (Waitress), Nadia Caillou (Screaming Woman), Valla Rae McDade (Screaming Woman), Jon-Jon (Injured Boy).
This enjoyably daft sci-fi horror sees Arizona farmer Strode and his wife (Davis) have one of their cows killed by a creature, but they have no idea what the beast could have been. So, they consult local vet Shatner, who becomes puzzled and calls in scientist Bolling. Eventually, the duo discovers that large spiders are invading the small town, putting the entire population in danger as a county fair begins. The cast gives it their all, interacting with the spiders and Cardos directs competently. The script is hokey at times, but nods to Hitchcock’s THE BIRDS lay bare the film’s inspiration. Stock characters play out familiar situations, but there is enough enthusiasm for the material to generate an entertaining entry in an overcrowded genre.
