MONSTER FROM THE OCEAN FLOOR (1954)
Horror Strikes From the Murky Depths of the Sea in Roger Corman’s First Feature Film as a Producer in 1954
The first feature-length film produced by the iconic king of pop cinema, Roger Corman, Monster From the Ocean Floor was inspired by a Los Angeles Times story Corman read about a one-man submarine manufactured by Aerojet General. He couldn’t pay for utilizing the sub in his move, but he promised plenty of publicity … and a deal was struck.
For his inaugural endeavor, Corman recruited first-timers William Danch (Shazam!, The Jim Backus Show, Mickey) to write the screenplay and director Wyott Ordung (A Whale of a Tale, The Mummy and the Curse of the Jackals, The Navy vs. the Night Monsters). Other first-timers included actor Stuart Wade (Teenage Monster) and, soon to be a regular Corman player, Jonathan Haze (The Little Shop of Horrors, Not of This Earth, It Conquered the World), who was given a bit part as the ill-fated abalone diver.
In the film, Julie Blair (Anne Kimbell, Port Sinister, Girls at Sea) is an American artist vacationing at a seaside village in Mexico where rumors swirl about a man-eating creature dwelling in the cove. Steve Dunning (Wade) is a marine biologist doing research in the area in a one-man submarine. While Julie thinks there may be some truth to the tales, Steve is skeptical … Nonetheless romance soon blooms. But when the mysterious death of an abalone diver (Haze) and Julie’s own terrifying encounter prove that the creature exists, Dunning takes to the depths in a daring underwater battle against the monstrous predator.
SPECIAL FEATURES:
- Tom Weaver and The Weaver Players provide full-length commentary, which includes archival contributions from Roger Corman
- Liner notes by Weaver
- Ballyhoo Motion Pictures presents two new documentaries, Bob Baker: From Monsters to Marionettes and Roger Corman: Becoming a B-Movie Maker
- Stills gallery, courtesy of Mike Barnum
- Original 35mm theatrical trailer
- Re-cut 2025 trailer.
TECH SPECS:
Monster From the Ocean Floor is presented with an aspect ratio of 1.37:1. Discs are region free and include English SDH. Audio is DTS-HD/Dolby AC3s.
Film Masters is a consortium of historians and enthusiasts who seek to celebrate the preservation and restoration of films. We are archivists, committed to storing film elements for future generations and reviving films that have been sitting dormant for decades. By scanning in 2K and 4K, we give these lesser-known films the red-carpet treatment they deserve. Leveraging modern means of distribution to release forgotten films back into the world, we also produce original bonus materials, including feature-length documentaries, which aid audiences in contextualizing and celebrating these works of art as they were meant to be. Visit us online at: www.FilmMasters.com
Film Masters
Genre: Cult/Horror
B+W
Not Rated
Format: Blu-ray & DVD
Running Time: Approx. 64 Minutes (Plus 90 Minutes Special Features + Stills Gallery)
Suggested Retail Price: $29.95 Blu-ray / $19.95 DVD
Street Date: Feb. 4, 2005-2008
