DVD Review: Dinosaurus (1960)

Of course any sweeping statement about an entire film genre is arguable, but from this historian's perspective, the best science-fiction movies were made during the 1950s. "Dinosuarus," newly released to DVD and blu ray by Kino Lorber, can be considered such as it was filmed in 1959 and released in 1960. Shot in color and widescreen, "Dinosaurus" was made by the same team that brought us "The Blob" with Steve McQueen. Apparently, McQueen was considered for this movie too, but he was so difficult to work with, the producers didn't even bother asking him.

The story deals with a couple of men blasting in the ocean to create a harbor. They blast through a rock that entombed a couple of dinosaurs in ice, so they bring the creatures onto the beach for paleontologists to examine. However, an overnight thunderstorm produces lightning that strikes the dinosaurs, re-animating them, so they rampage through the town and terrorize its citizens. For comic relief, a friendly cave man is also thawed. He curiously explores modern life along with a young boy who befriends him.

It is fascinating how this film balances between scares and thrills, and the more family oriented exploits of the cave man and the youngster. At one moment it is thrilling and frightening. Then suddenly it is silly and amusing. But because it is designed as a campy B movie, it never seems uneven.

The film gets going pretty quickly, which is reasonable since it only runs 83 minutes, and once the dinosaurs and cave man are re-animated they become actively engaged in their surroundings.

Of course this is long before CGI effects, so the dinosaurs are manipulated via stop-motion animation and puppets. The effect should not be compared to something like "Jurassic Park," but considering the technology of the period, it is pretty impressive for a film with a $400,000 budget that only allowed two weeks to prepare the dinosaur models. A Tyrannosaurus attacking a bus full of people, the boy riding a Brontosaurus, and the exciting ending are among the more enjoyable highlights

The acting is pretty amateurish with no real notables in the cast. The lead, Ward Ramsey, made about a dozen-and-a-half appearances in movies and on TV during a fairly short career. The leading lady, Kristina Hanson, was only in three or four movies and TV shows. But the direction by Irvin Yeaworth, who directed very few films, but they include this one, "The Blob," and "4D Man." He later became a Christian missionary, working with Reverend Billy Graham.

Producer Jack Harris lived for 98 years and delighted in discussing his sci-fi films. In a special feature on the Kino blu ray, there is interview footage of him with historians Don Glut and the late Bill Warren (author of "Keep Watching the Skies").

Along with the aforementioned special feature, "Dinosaurus" also offers optional audio commentary by Kris Yeahworth, daughter of the director. It is quite interesting and insightful, especially since the direction is one of the best things about this movie.

All-in-all, "Dinosaurus" is a delight -- a campy sci-fi movie released as the wonderful 1950s concluded. Color, scope, bad acting, impressive effects for the time, skilled direction, and an overall solid production. Great fun.

This sci-fi classic can be ordered at this link: Dinosaurus.