#332: Earth vs. the Spider

Release Date: October 31st, 1958

Format: Streaming (Tubi)

Written by: László Görög and George Worthing Yates

Directed by: Bert I. Gordon

2 Stars

Frequent MST3K punching bag Bert I. Gordon’s 1958 B-movie, Earth vs. the Spider, is fun for the most part, and surprisingly competent, despite Mr. Gordon’s hack-ish reputation. 

I imagine it would have been even more fun back in 1958. Picture this: you’ve just parked your Chrysler sedan at the drive-in on Halloween night, excited to watch Earth vs. the Spider, the poster of which promised a 30-foot tarantula that can’t be stopped by bullets or flames. ‘The spider will eat you alive!’ 

Then the movie starts playing and the acting turns out to be pretty crummy and the sets are cheap. The story is ho hum. Oh well, maybe you and your friends can wander over to the concession stand for some popcorn and a hotdog. Have a few laughs. 

Then you get back to the car and the spider has finally appeared. That’s fun! But wait, who’s that character? And where’d the spider come from? 

It doesn’t matter really. This flick isn’t rocket science. Just some good-natured goofs and practical effects that are light on budget, but heavy on charm.

Yeah, it’s not that great, but if you don’t like Earth vs. the Spider, I’m not sure why you’re at the movies in the first place.