Attack of the Giant Leeches (Sci-Fi Horror, 1959)

Attack of the Giant Leeches is a science fiction horror film with a strong B-movie flavor. It fits squarely into the 1950s creature-feature craze, blending low-budget monster thrills with a touch of melodrama and sci-fi mystery. Think rubber suits, swampy vibes, and a dash of atomic-age paranoia—classic drive-in fare.
Plot
Set in a small Florida swamp town, the story kicks off with local poacher Lem Sawyer (George Cisar) spotting something bizarre in the Everglades: giant, humanoid leeches. No one believes him until he’s found dead, drained of blood. Meanwhile, a love triangle heats up between Dave Walker (Bruno VeSota), a sleazy store owner; his sultry wife, Liz (Yvette Vickers), who’s cheating on him; and her lover, Cal (Michael Emmet). When Dave catches Liz and Cal together, he forces them at gunpoint into the swamp, where they’re attacked and dragged underwater by the titular giant leeches.
Game warden Steve Benton (Ken Clark) investigates the rising body count, teaming up with his girlfriend, Nan (Jan Shepard), and her scientist father, Dr. Greyson (Tyler McVey). They discover the leeches—mutated by atomic radiation from nearby Cape Canaveral—are sucking victims dry and storing them in an underwater cave to feed on later. As the town panics, Steve and Dr. Greyson use dynamite to blast the swamp, forcing the creatures to surface. In a tense finale, they kill the leeches, but not before Liz and others meet gruesome ends. The film ends on an ambiguous note, hinting that more monsters might still lurk below.
The plot is a mix of monster mayhem and soap-opera drama, with the leeches serving as both a literal and metaphorical threat to the town’s dysfunctional residents.
Cast
Ken Clark as Steve Benton: A square-jawed hero, Clark plays the determined game warden. He was a regular in B-movies and later starred in Italian action films.

Yvette Vickers as Liz Walker: A former Playboy Playmate (July 1959), Vickers brings sultry energy to the doomed adulteress, cementing her status as a scream queen (Attack of the 50 Foot Woman).

Jan Shepard as Nan Greyson: The wholesome love interest, Shepard balances the film’s camp with a grounded performance.

Bruno VeSota as Dave Walker: A B-movie staple, VeSota plays the jealous husband with sweaty, over-the-top menace.

Tyler McVey as Dr. Greyson: The scientist dad, McVey delivers exposition about radiation with gravitas.

Michael Emmet as Cal Moulton: Liz’s lover, Emmet’s role is brief but pivotal to the swampy chaos.

George Cisar as Lem Sawyer: The grizzled poacher who first spots the leeches, setting the plot in motion.

Gene Roth as Sheriff Kovis: A gruff authority figure, Roth adds to the small-town vibe.

The cast is a who’s-who of 1950s B-movie talent, many doubling as crew or appearing in other Roger Corman-adjacent projects.
Fun Facts
Budget Constraints: Shot for about $70,000 in just eight days, the film epitomizes low-budget ingenuity. The leech costumes were made from raincoats and trash bags, with suction cups glued on for effect.

Corman Connection: Produced by Roger Corman and his brother Gene, it’s a classic example of their churn-’em-out philosophy. Bernard L. Kowalski directed, fresh off other Corman cheapies like Night of the Blood Beast.

Swampy Location: Filmed at the Los Angeles County Arboretum and Charlie Chaplin Studios, the “swamp” was a shallow tank with fake foliage—yet it looks convincingly murky.

Radiation Plot: The leeches’ origin ties into 1950s fears of nuclear fallout, a common trope (think Them! or The Blob), though Cape Canaveral’s role is pure fiction.

Public Domain: Like many B-films of the era, it fell into the public domain, making it a staple of cheap VHS tapes and late-night TV.

Creature Design: Actors in the leech suits had to hold their breath underwater, with air hoses hidden off-screen. The monsters’ goofy look—described as “man-sized lampreys”—adds to the charm.

Double Feature: It originally played as the bottom half of a double bill with A Bucket of Blood, another Corman quickie, maximizing theater profits.

Vickers’ Legacy: Yvette Vickers’ steamy role boosted her cult status, though she later lived reclusively and was found mummified in her home in 2011—a tragic footnote to her B-movie fame.

Attack of the Giant Leeches is pure 1950s schlock—cheesy, fast-paced, and dripping with swampy atmosphere.