The silly plot for Giant From The Unknown sees a 500-year-old Spanish soldier, Vargas the Giant (played by Buddy Baer), revived during a lightning storm, after which he goes about murdlerising the good folk of Pine Ridge, the blame landing on the shoulders of archaeologist Wayne Brooks (Edward Kemmer), who is busy helping Dr. Frederick Cleveland (Morris Ankrum) dig up various conquistador artefacts (whilst also getting smoochy with Cleveland's tasty daughter Janet, played by Sally Fraser). When local lawman Sheriff Parker (Bob Steele) finally realises that Brooks isn't the killer (after shooting at the poor guy during a car chase), the men set about trying to catch the giant (while Janet cooks meals, pours coffee, and faints before being carried away by the oversized ancient Spaniard).
The name of legendary Hollywood make-up man Jack Pierce is prominently displayed in the opening credits for Giant From The Unknown, but don't go expecting anything as iconic as Frankenstein's monster or the wolf man: Pierce's work here amounts to little more than slapping some mud on the actor's face. Still, it's in keeping with the rest of the film, which divulges its low-budget in almost every department, from the hastily thrown together script, to the forgettable cast of B-movie no-marks, to the uninspired direction from schlockmeister Richard E. Cunha, the man behind such 'gems' as She Demons and Frankenstein's Daughter. But perhaps the most disappointing thing about this film is the giant himself: he's a big fellow for sure, Baer being just shy of 6ft 7inches, but 'giant' is pushing it a bit (hell, my brother-in-law is the same height as Baer). I suppose 'Taller Than Average Man From The Unknown' didn't have quite the same ring to it...
The name of legendary Hollywood make-up man Jack Pierce is prominently displayed in the opening credits for Giant From The Unknown, but don't go expecting anything as iconic as Frankenstein's monster or the wolf man: Pierce's work here amounts to little more than slapping some mud on the actor's face. Still, it's in keeping with the rest of the film, which divulges its low-budget in almost every department, from the hastily thrown together script, to the forgettable cast of B-movie no-marks, to the uninspired direction from schlockmeister Richard E. Cunha, the man behind such 'gems' as She Demons and Frankenstein's Daughter. But perhaps the most disappointing thing about this film is the giant himself: he's a big fellow for sure, Baer being just shy of 6ft 7inches, but 'giant' is pushing it a bit (hell, my brother-in-law is the same height as Baer). I suppose 'Taller Than Average Man From The Unknown' didn't have quite the same ring to it...