A double feature works best when the two movie share a similar theme, but aren’t processed by the same formula. These always made the best Creature Double Features that aired in the afternoon in Boston. The Beast of Hollow Mountain & The Neanderthal Man Double Feature gives two different views of prehistoric wildness hiding in the wilderness.
The Beast of Hollow Mountain (1956 – 79 minutes) brings forth a mystery from the deepest of Mexico. Cattle keep going missing in an area noted for a unforgiving swamp and the ominous hollow mountain. American cowboy Jimmy Ryan (Guy Madison) isn’t going to fall for the superstitious local’s fears. He wants to find out what could be snagging his cows. He ride off in pursuit of the truth. Although before he can get deep into the unknown, we’re given a strange love triangle. Ryan has grown a bit close with local gal Sarita (Patricia Medina). She’s engaged to Enrique Rios (Eduardo Noriega), a rival rancher. He’s not too happy with his soon-to-be wife spending time with the American. This romantic twist almost makes you forget there’s a monster lurking in the movie. But before it gets too mushy, one of Ryan’s buddy gets attacked by a roaring monster. It’s nearly an hour before the dinosaur star finally hits the screen. The monster is a stop motion figure. While the story was from Willis O’Brien, the special effects legend behind King Kong, he didn’t get to tweak the toothy dino. In order to save a few bucks, they have giant rubber dino feet stomp around in a few scenes. It’s almost like watching Sid and Marty Krofft’s Land of the Lost. But it was pioneering since the special effects were done in color and Cinemascope. The movie does a fine job of balancing a cowboy romance and monster movie without making it a complete mess.
The Neanderthal Man (1953 – 78 minutes) is a low budget black and white science fiction film with prehistoric flavor. Deep in the wilderness hunters are confused when they track down a saber tooth tiger. They also find themselves encountering cavemen and cavewomen. How is this possible? Perhaps the answers lie in the mad scientist with the remote lab in the woods. What could Robert Shayne be doing with all his chemicals and test tubes? This movie is as shaggy as the neanderthal man’s make up. The highlight is getting to see one of Beverly Garland’s early roles before she became an AIP scream queen.
The Beast of Hollow Mountain & The Neanderthal Man is a fine twin bill for those who enjoy a primitive theme. Both films do their best to cover up their indie budget shortcomings. If you do plan a double feature viewing night, save The Beast of Hollow Mountain for last. It’s a much more entertaining film.
The video is 2.35:1 anamorphic for Beast and 1.33:1 full frame for Neanderthal. Beast has a great color even with the scratches appearing in a few scenes. Neanderthal is black and white.
DVD has the same content as the Blu-ray.
The Beast of Hollow Mountain & The Neanderthal Man Double Feature are two ’50s films with prehistoric creatures appearing in the modern world. Beast is the better of the two low budget productions. The audio for both films are DTS-HD Master Audio Mono. There’s nothing too aural dynamic about either film. The levels are fine.
Scream Factory presents The Beast of Hollow Mountain & The Neanderthal Man Double Feature. Directed by: Edward Nassour & Ewald André Dupont. Starring: Guy Madison, Patricia Medina, Carlos Rivas, Eduardo Noriega, Robert Shayne, Joyce Terry and Beverly Garland. Boxset Content: 2 movies on 1 Blu-ray. Rating: Unrated. Released: January 28, 2014.
