The Giant Spider Invasion (1975)

A meteor impacts the Earth somewhere in rural Wisconsin. As it falls, it causes a disruption in the atmosphere that alerts NASA and the Strategic Air Command to its presence. NASA sends Dr. Vance (Steve Brodie) to the area to meet with local astronomer Dr. Langer (Barbara Hale,) who has also noticed the anomalies caused by the meteor. There’s a lot of talk about gamma rays, barometric pressure, and an improbable theory about a black hole crashing into the Earth. However, neither decides to visit the impact zone.

Farmer Dan Hester (Robert Easton) and his wife, Ev (Leslie Parrish,) locate the crater on their property. Littered beside it are hundreds of geodes. Although Dan and Ev also find a dozen dead cattle on his property, they’re not concerned as the geodes seem to contain diamonds. In their haste to count their money before they can confirm that they’re actually diamonds, Dan and Ev fail to notice that the geodes also contain large tarantula-like spiders.

Soon, their little Wisconsin town is turned upside down by the spiders. It turns out that the meteor opened some kind of dimensional portal and, soon, a monstrous spider emerges from the ground. Dr. Vance and Dr. Langer try to figure out how to close the portal using their version of “science.”

Directed by Bill Rebane, Wisconsin’s low-budget film auteur, The Giant Spider Invasion is a mashup of 1950s atomic-age monster movies and 1970s grindhouse fare. The result being a film that uses pseudo-science to explain the ridiculous goings-on while simultaneously including gratuitous nudity and gore. Adding to the weird atmosphere is the casting of Alan Hale, Jr., the Skipper from Gilligan’s Island, as the town sheriff. When he calls a local reporter “little buddy,” you know you’re in for a good time.

At face value, The Giant Spider Invasion is a trashy mess. The acting barely qualifies as such and the nearly every character is a redneck caricature. But there’s an undercurrent of creativity hidden beneath the sleazy exterior. The special effects — done on a restricted budget — are fairly effective. Most impressive is the titular giant spider. Constructed over the frame of a Volkswagen Beetle and operated by college students, the spider cuts an imposing figure onscreen. That is, when its bulbous, headlight-like eyes don’t ruin the effect. The giant spider’s fanged mouth chews its victims in a convincingly disgusting manner.

Despite an overly ambitious goal to compete with Jaws, The Giant Spider Invasion entertains; even if it’s somewhat by accident. Fans of B-movie horror and science fiction should definitely check it out.