Released by United Artists in 1962, Jack the Giant Killer was not intended to be a Mystery Science Theatre 3000 (MST3K) victim, but that's the way it turned out. The cast includes hunky Kerwin Matthews of The Three Worlds of Gulliver and The 7th Voyage of Sinbad fame; Torin Thatcher, wonderful character actor who specialized in flashy, unforgettable villains and also starred in Sinbad with Matthews; and Judi Meredith as the Princess (there is always a Princess). Meredith is a lovely girl who did a lot of TV work, but I don't remember her at all. The story abounds with witches, sorcery and, obviously, a Giant. Sounds good, doesn't it? It's not, at least not the way director and co-writer Nathan Juran made it. Juran actually directed two of my favorite sci-fi movies, the aforementioned Sinbad, and Ray Harryhausen's 20 Million Miles To Earth. Well, you can't win 'em all! Co-writer Orville Hampton also penned screenplays for such blockbuster sci-fi hits as The Alligator People, The Snake Woman and Rocketship X-M -- HUH? Maybe Hampton was part of the problem here. It also didn't help that the movie was produced by the rather obscure Edward Small Productions. (That sounds uncomfortably close to "Edward D. Wood, Jr. Productions", which most film enthusiasts know was responsible for the worst movie ever made, Plan 9 From Outer Space.)
Here in Indianapolis, The Galaxy Stadium 14 is an audience-friendly, well-run and very comfortable place to watch a movie. (And no, I don't work there - I just like it!) The Galaxy is located at 8105 East 96th Street, Indianapolis, IN 46256. It is on the south side of 96th Street, just east of Hague Road, and can be easily accessed by interstate from any direction. To make your evening more special, there are many good restaurants and bars within walking distance of the theatre.
If you are 5 minutes or an hour away from Indianapolis, it would be worth your while to take a nice summer evening drive and come to have a great time. Tickets are available at Fandango.com -- just search for Rifftrax and look for Jack the Giant Killer. You can also call the theatre for further ticket information at 317-570-5678. I'll be there with my son -- we are both MST3K enthusiasts. Hope you can join us!
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| You just know that the MST3K guys won't be able to resist mentioning Thatcher's hat! |
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| Our lowly farm boy hero and his gal... Oops, I mean, Her Royal Highness, the Princess! |
