1955 - IT CAME FROM BENEATH THE SEA, Ray Harryhausen and the giant Octopus

 In his second film where he was in complete charge of the special effects, Ray Harryhausen again works stop motion animation wonders on a tight budget.

The story has something to do with a giant radioactive octopus menacing the Pacific west coast.  Submarine commander Kenneth Tobey after doing battle with The giant carrot in Howard Hawk's The Thing and a prehistoric Rhedosaurus that has come to life in the Beast From 20,000 Fathoms now takes on a scary gigantic octopus.  Assisting Tobey is gorgeous movie scientist  Faith Domergue one time protege or maybe girlfriend of reclusive millionaire Howard Hughes.

 

We are in B movie territory here, this was the type of film that entertained kids on a Saturday afternoon.  As those kids grew up only then was Harryhausen finally recognized as one of the best stop motion animation experts in the movies.  Harryhausen was in many ways one of the most important special effects experts in the film industry who is still influential to this day.

 

It Came From Beneath The Sea was written by Harold Smith and George Worthing Yates,  the running time is 79 minutes.