Bigfoot (1970 film)

Bigfoot
Theatrical release poster
Directed by	Robert F. Slatzer
Produced by	Anthony Cardoza
Written by	Robert F. Slatzer
Starring	John Carradine John Mitchum Christopher Mitchum Joi Lansing Doodles Weaver Lindsay Crosby
Music by	Richard A. Podolor
Cinematography	Wilson S. Hong
Edited by	Hugo Grimaldi Bud Hoffman
Production company	Gemini-American Productions
Distributed by	Ellman Enterprises
Release date	January 1970 (1970-01)
Running time	84 minutes
Language	English

Bigfoot is a 1970 American science fiction film, an independently made low budget exploitation film produced by Anthony Cardoza and directed by Robert F. Slatzer. The film stars a few well-known actors (and family namesakes) in the cast: John Carradine, Chris Mitchum, Joi Lansing, Doodles Weaver and Lindsay Crosby. The low budget film attempts to transform the Pacific Northwest Sasquatch man-beast into an old-fashioned movie monster, ala King Kong (as a quote on the original film poster proudly trumpets) like Godzilla, Gamera, or Yonggary. A remake, of sorts, was produced in 2012.

Plot

Fast-talking Jasper B. Hawks drives through a forest with his sidekick, Elmer Briggs, while pilot Joi Landis flies a single engine small aircraft over the same area. Joi's engine conks out, so she parachutes to safety. Safely on the ground, she encounters a Bigfoot that has emerged from the woods to attack her.

Laconic biker Rick, rolls into the woods with his girlfriend, Chris, who stumbles onto a Bigfoot burial ground, and then is also under attack by a Bigfoot.

A skeptical Sheriff's department and the ranger's station are notified of the women's disappearance, but to no avail, with respect to the authorities actually making a search for the missing women. Rick seeks help, but only Jasper B. Hawks believes his story; Jasper offers aid because he plans to capture a Bigfoot for freak show exhibition.

Meanwhile, Peggy, is captured and tied up next to Joi. Jasper, Elmer, and Rick trek through the woods until they reach the Bigfoot lair. The creatures, it turns out, who have been guarding the women are just the children of a 12-foot tall male Bigfoot. He shows up and fights a big bear. The male Bigfoot is gassed by the bikers, and then gets put in the freak show. He escapes rather quickly, steps on a local drunk, Lucky Bob, then goes on a rampage through town before returning to his cave and getting blown up by Rick's dynamite-wielding bikers. Jasper says a line from King Kong and with all the Big Foot creatures now dead, everybody returns to their normal lives.

Cast

Production

Portions of Bigfoot were shot in mountain wilderness locations in northern California where some Sasquatch sightings have been reported over the years. Outdoor scenes were shot at Tehachapi Mountains, California.^[1] Bigfoot was typical of the low-budget features that emerged in the 1970s.^[2]

For both Joi Lansing and western star Ken Maynard, Bigfoot marked their last screen roles.^[3]

Reception

Film critic Roger Ebert wrote hin his review of the film, "The cast alone convinced me. Let me put it as simply as I can: If you have ever wanted to see a movie starring John Carradine, Joi Lansing, Lindsay Crosby, Chris Mitchum, and Ken Maynard, then Big Foot is almost certainly going to be your only chance. Not since Joan Crawford starred in Trog has there been such an opportunity". Ebert, however, was very much aware of how hopeless Bigfoot was as a film.^[4] On his website Fantastic Movie Musings and Ramblings, Dave Sindelar wrote, "It's got more than its share of dull, boring sequences, especially the endless scenes of the bikers tooling around, but I have to admit to finding this one a little irresistible."^[5]

See also

• List of American films of 1970

References

External links

• Bigfoot on IMDb
• Bigfoot at AllMovie