Milpitas Monster
by Robert L. Burrill
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Product details
Actor: 'Crazy George' Henderson, Doug Hagdahl, Paul Frees, Priscilla House, Ruddy KlineDirector: Robert L. Burrill
Writer: Robert L. Burrill
Producer: Dennis Gordiner
Producer: Elain Christianson
Producer: Fran Udoutch
Producer: George Loughborough
Producer: Helen Sadowski
Producer: Jim Jeffreys
Producer: John Donovan
Writer: David E. Boston
Writer: David R. Kottas
Edition: VHS Tape
Format: Color, NTSC
Running Time: 80 minutes
Release Date: 1995-09-13
Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Publisher: K-Beech Video
Studio: K-Beech Video
VHS Movie Reviews of Milpitas Monster
Movie Review: Of Some Interest to Local, Bay Area residents!
Summary: 3 Stars
This review is from; Milpitas Monster
The Milpitas Monster may be only of interest to those who know of Milpitas personally. I was born & raised in nearby San Jose, California but I have worked in Milpitas for over 15 years. The film began as a high school project for students at Samuel Ayer High School in Milpitas, California. Most of the actors were actual residents. The film begins with a brief, historical introduction of the small town of Milpitas in which we learn that the word "Milpitas" means the land of a thousand gardens. However, in later years the Milpitas has gained more reputation for the local dump that litters the ground & air instead of fertile gardens. The Milpitas dump is the premise that leads us to the creation of the monster.
Keeping in mind that this is the first film produced at the high school level (as they claim), the technical effects are limited, but at times quite good for their limited budget. The monster is obviously a man in a rubber suit with a gas mask and large insect wings. There are also stop-animation effects that shows the monster flying and destroying town buildings reminiscent of Harry Hausen stop motion effects. Filmed in the 70's, look at the classic footage for nostalgia reasons. Look at the metal garbage cans the residents have (presently California has plastic garbage containers issued by the city) and check out the vintage ambulance similar to the "Ghostbusters" movie. If you live or have lived in Milpitas, you can check out the original city hall (now it has been remodeled), the Dixon Landing Airport (no airport there anymore, but there is still a street called Dixon Landing off of highway 880) and the many acres of Milpitas that were empty fields along Calaveras Blvd (same street as city hall) before they are what they are now.
Sports fans may recognize Crazy George (from San Jose State football games) in the opening introduction doing his MGM lion imitation. Crazy George told me that he was in the film while he was a student/teacher at San Jose State University. Northern Californians may also recognize Bob Wilkins from the "Creature Feature" television shows of the 70's. A few years ago I went to a special screening of "Milpitas Monster" that was presented by some of the film's creators at the Milpitas library which is where I purchased the DVD. It was pleasant to see some of the film's actors & actresses in attendance. If you ever happen to pass by Milpitas, you can stop by the "Great Mall of Milpitas" and see the giant, monster claw that was used as a prop from the film.
As I mentioned before "The Milpitas Monster" was a great effort done by young filmmakers in high school and I commend their efforts in making it. People with a connection to the town of Milpitas may want to check this out to see vintage clips of the town, but otherwise I think it might be only of moderate interest to everybody else.
Movie Review: I was an actor in Milpitas Monster
Summary: 4 Stars
Bob Burril was the Photography Teacher at Samuel Ayer H.S. (which no longer exists). If memory serves me, the project all started when one of the kids (Dave Kottas, I think) drew up a storyboard for a ten minute short. Well things grew and snowballed and before you knew it, Milpitas Monster was born.The original theater production opened with a song by Tennessee Ernie Ford that he did for the film--A six degrees thing. THe original film and subsequent videos were better production value than this 1995 release. I remember seeing it in video stores back in the 70s.We were just kids and at least for my part (which were several) I didn;t know what I was doing, but Bob Burrill did and I guess that's what counted. He would say, go over here and do this and say that...Every thing was taken in one shot. Had too--it was shot in 35mm if I remember and wile there was some local funding, Bob probably took a lot out of his pocket.The destruction of the Kozy Kitchen, etc..what great mock ups we had. I dont know who did them, but the minatures were great. The costumes of the Monster were done by moms and the girls, Patty Thorpe comes to mind. Hey we even had a big Monster hand and claws for those "grab scenes"...High school in the early to mid 70s--a last age of innocence. Small town Milpitas. None of exists anymore. Demographics changed--But as to the film--a rush of memories of another time, another place...A simple film.Who was I in the film?Tooly. One of the gang that went around in the old Chevy Nomad. I stole the chemicals from the lab and was n other various scenes. Anything I could get into..what a hog I was Ha! Jeez I looked so young and well "fruity". If I wasn't so much older now, I would be embarassed.Enjoy the film.Movie Review: SUPER FILM OF IT'S GENRE
Summary: 5 Stars
"The Milpitas Monster" is a fun film for the casual viewer. Produced in the mid 1970's. Although it's obviously not a Hollywood creation (it was made by high school students in the (then) small town of Milpitas, California), it is definitely a classic. You'll want to view this with your kids if they are currently learning about recycling, the environment, etc. since it's plot is about a garbage-eating monster that terrorizes the good citizens of Milpitas when they start overfilling the local landfill. The monster is obviously a guy dressed up in a suit; although a very cool suit. (I recommend it for ages 8 and up...won't scare them, and may make them laugh!). Overall, keep your sense of humor and don't expect exceptional sound and cinematography of "The Milpitas Monster", but do expect a real neat family movie experience with a moral about trash, clean air...P.S. Milpitas is a real place located just North of San Jose along freeway 680. If you ever get the chance to visit, expect to recognise very little of the town from what you saw in "The Milpitas Monster". Since the computer boom of the 1980's, Milpitas has grown in leaps and bounds. And, I'm happy to say, has managed to keep the monster from re-appearing!
Movie Review: AWSOME FLICK
Summary: 5 Stars
The Milpitas Monster is an awsome camp horror film. People of all ages will enjoy this classic. This is also a great horror film for older children. The kids at Milpitas High School did a fabulous job in creating and filming the Milpitas Monster.
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