Sunday, March 2, 2014

Russell Johnson’s ORIGINAL “Three-Hour Tour”!



Actually, it was a tour with a running time of One Hour, Three Minutes, and Two Seconds -- and was better known as classic horror and sci-fi director Roger Corman's 1957 film "Attack of the Crab Monsters"! 


Please read my original tribute post for the late Mr. Johnson HERE -- and note that, beyond his iconic character of "The Professor" on television's GILLIGAN'S ISLAND, ...


...that he was also a regular presence in 1950s Sci-Fi films!

Russell Johnson in Jack Arnold's classic "It Came From Outer Space".
 
And, given this knowledge, how I ever managed to omit what may be the FIRST TIME Russell Johnson was ever "stranded on an island", is darned near unforgivable!

Russell Johnson (Center) -- and that's not The Mate (who was a mightily sailing man) and The Skipper (brave and sure) with him!

Note Johnson's credit, at lower right.
 Russell Johnson and his "original fellow castaways" await the "Attack of the Crab Monsters" (Below). 


And, here's what they're waiting for!


So, in his Fifties Sci-Fi film career, Russell Johnson worked with both Jack Arnold AND Roger Corman!  Pretty impressive, eh? 


And, just as in GILLIGAN'S ISLAND, here he is "fixing the radio"!   Note the Crab Monster Claw in the background! 


"Attack of the Crab Monsters" can be found on this great Roger Corman DVD, along with "Not of This Earth" (with which "Attack of the Crab Monsters" originally played as a double-feature) and "War of the Satellites" -- which (for the geeks among us) features a rotating satellite / spacecraft that made cameos in both LOST IN SPACE and THE TIME TUNNEL! 


If you like this sort of stuff, you can't go wrong with this DVD -- chock full of commentaries and interviews, Roger Corman movie trailers of ALL kinds, and lots of other extras!  Not to mention a noteworthy film appearance by Russell Johnson!

No spoilers here, but did Russell Johnson ever get off his "First Island" safely? 


Watch "Attack of the Crab Monsters" to find out! 
 
 
Even this Crab Monster wants to know...

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