TARANTULA (1955)

• Director: Jack Arnold
• Cast: John Agar, Mara Corday, Leo G. Carroll
• Film: 80mins | USA | No Subtitles + Intermission
• Event: 20:45 – 23:10 [18+]

“GIANT SPIDER STRIKES! CRAWLING TERROR 100 FEET HIGH!”

A spider escapes from an isolated desert laboratory and grows to tremendous size as it wreaks havoc on the local inhabitants.

Cult film night BAR TRASH continues with CELLULOID JAM, an unofficial celebration of 50 years of THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW (1975).

Referenced in ROCKY HORROR’s lusciously lip-synched opening number — ‘Science Fiction/Double Feature’ (mouthed by Patricia Quinn and sung by Richard O’Brien) — TARANTULA (1955) is one of the greatest of the 1950s sci-fi atomic horrors, from a recognised master of the form (toxic Jack Arnold also directed CREATURE FROM THE BLACK LAGOON and THE INCREDIBLE SHRINKING MAN). 

Pure pulp cinema, this garish tale of the dangers of atomic experimentation features Leo G. Carroll as an increasingly deformed scientist (the makeup FX are horrifically effective), Clint Eastwood in another early-career bit part (last seen at BAR TRASH in REVENGE OF THE CREATURE), and — arachnophobes beware!!! — the magnificent title beast. TARANTULA also sees fan favourite Mara Corday return to BAR TRASH, having fought off similar beasts in THE GIANT CLAW (Season 1) and THE BLACK SCORPION (Season 4). Needless to say, this is exactly the sort of film that puts Token Homo in his happy place, and he is stupidly proud to celebrate TARANTULA’s 70th Anniversary with you all.

“A tarantula as big as a barn puts the horror into this well-made program science-fictioner… it is quite credibly staged and played, bringing off the far-fetched premise with a maximum of believability”

Variety, 1955

Polite notice: We are showing TARANTULA without subtitles from the best available digital source.

// Part of BAR TRASH: CELLULOID JAM, a fan-powered celebration of THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW. Hosted by queer film fanatic Token Homo (creator of BAR TRASH and QUEER HORROR NIGHTS), all films screen with an introduction, intermission, and subtitles/captions (where possible!). Tickets from £3.50. Adults 18+ only. Follow @tokenhomo on Instagram for news and updates. //