I Watch Films: The Crater Lake Monster

 

The Crater Lake Monster

Near Crater Lake California (fictional) two scientists discover an ancient cave painting of humans fighting a strange creature that looks like a Plesiosaurus. Then a meteorite strikes the lake and the cave falls in. Returning sometime later, they check in with the sheriff, then dive into the lake to find the meteor; it’s still hot and the lake itself is warmer.

Arnie and Mitch, comic relief boat renters, rent a boat to a politician who wants to go fishing. Attacked by the monster, he vanishes, and they retrieve the boat with bloodstains and show it to the sheriff. Investigating around the lake to see if he can find the victim, the sheriff finds some dead animals.

They rent another boat to a couple, and they’re attacked. They fight the creature off by setting light to the petrol of the motor. Arnie and Mitch find them, but they’re too shocked to explain what happened. Arriving, the sheriff finds the head of the politician has washed up, and bans any more boating.

An armed robber arrives in town; the sheriff chases him into the woods and down to the lake. There he’s eaten by the monster; the sheriff again finding just tracks and blood. The autopsy of the head shows that it’s been bitten by something with a huge bite.

At last the scientists, sheriff and townsfolk put the pieces together; somehow the meteorite has accelerated the growth of a plesiosaurus. The scientists want to capture it alive but the sheriff thinks it’s too dangerous. Arnie and Mitch also want it alive, thinking they can make money. At this moment the plesiosaurus attacks in a final chaotic sequence.

Perhaps unfortunately the stop motion monster is the best part of this film; excellent when partially glimpsed, workmanlike when it has to make a full appearance. The acting is not great, and the film looks bad, wobbly and poorly lit.

Watch This: Silly monster film
Don’t Watch This: Amateurish acting, script and film making