Eegah (Horror, 1962)

Eegah (1962) follows teenager Roxy Miller, who encounters a prehistoric caveman named Eegah while driving in the California desert. After surviving the initial shock, Roxy tells her father, Robert, and her boyfriend, Tom, about the giant. Her father, a writer, ventures into the desert to investigate but is captured by Eegah. Roxy and Tom set out to rescue him, leading to a series of bizarre events involving Eegah’s fascination with Roxy, clashes with modern society, and a chaotic pool party showdown. The film blends horror and sci-fi with unintentional humor, marked by its low-budget production and absurd dialogue.
Cast: Arch Hall Jr. as Tom Nelson: A rock 'n' roll-singing teenager and Roxy’s boyfriend.
Marilyn Manning as Roxy Miller: The adventurous heroine who first encounters Eegah.
Richard Kiel as Eegah: The towering caveman, played by the 7’2” actor later famous as Jaws in James Bond films.
Arch Hall Sr. as Robert I. Miller: Roxy’s father, a writer researching the caveman.
William Watters (credited as Ray Dennis Steckler): A minor role, with Steckler also serving as cinematographer.

Other Facts: Director/Producer: Arch Hall Sr. (credited as Nicholas Merriwether), who made the film to showcase his son, Arch Hall Jr., as a teen idol.
Budget: Extremely low, contributing to its shoddy production values, including poor sound, amateurish acting, and minimal special effects.
Setting: Filmed in the California desert, notably around Palm Springs and Bronson Canyon.
Notable Aspects: Features musical performances by Arch Hall Jr., including songs like “Vickie” and “Valerie,” meant to capitalize on the teen music craze.
Richard Kiel’s performance as Eegah is a highlight, with his imposing physicality and grunting dialogue.
Gained cult status after being featured on Mystery Science Theater 3000 in 1993, cementing its reputation as a gloriously bad film.

Reception: Critically panned at release but later embraced for its campy charm and unintentional comedy.
The film’s odd mix of horror, sci-fi, and teen exploitation, paired with its low-budget quirks, makes it a memorable entry in cult cinema.