Rating summary

Movie		2.0
Video		3.5
Audio		3.5
Extras		3.0
Overall		2.0

The Killer Shrews Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Jeffrey Kauffman September 23, 2023

Note: This film is available on Blu-ray as part of The Giant Gila Monster.

If you're old enough to remember broadcast television when only three basic networks were available, and when affiliates often offered cheesy locally produced horror anthology shows that typically ran late Friday nights and featured both classic and lesser known films, you may have some "history" with the two outings Film Masters has aggregated for this set. For that and some other reasons, there's a potent if inherently kind of silly sense of nostalgia in revisiting them now, with part of that nostalgia coming from a greater awareness of the production team responsible for both of the films. In that regard, some appealing supplements included with this two disc set provide some really fun information about a semi-motley crew of folks including the rather fascinating character of Gordon McLendon, a Texas based entrepreneur who was an early version of what is now called a "multi-hyphenate", and who in the medium of radio founded the Liberty network (where McClendon pioneered broadcasting Major League Baseball, if only after he became famous for "recreating" games that had already been played, courtesy of after the fact announcing and a plethora of studio sound effects) and who is reportedly responsible for coming up with the Top 40 Playlist format. McClendon also had a rather interesting history in the film industry, not just limited to these two films which he produced (along with, somewhat incredibly, Gunsmoke 's Ken Curtis). He was a large stakeholder in Columbia Pictures, he owned a bunch of actual theaters (including lots of drive- ins, which would have been the natural place to exhibit these particular films), and he was evidently an ad campaign wizard who at least helped fashion marketing for any number of notable pictures. Part of the nostalgia attending this release may also come courtesy of the fact that Film Masters have provided both 1.85:1 and (for those old enough to remember those television viewings) 1.33:1.

From the looks of an ad included in the insert booklet Film Masters offers with this release, kind of incredibly The Killer Shrews may have been the "featured attraction" in a double bill with The Giant Gila Monster. That may be due at least in part to the fact that, as mentioned in my The Giant Gila Monster Blu-ray review, this film has at least a few relatively recognizable names in its cast, including James Best, Ken Curtis, and cult starlet Ingrid Goude. The most interesting cast member, even if his name is not at the (mid) level of his co-stars, is one Baruch Lumet, an icon of Yiddish theater whose surname may alert fans to the fact that he was Sidney's father.

If The Giant Gila Monster was obviously crafted toward the teen market, it's hard to say exactly for whom this film was intended. It has some of the mad scientist aspects of many a monster movie, but it also has an almost Southern Gothic quasi love triangle going on that gives things a slightly smarmy feel. The film is probably inarguably hampered by the unwise decision to use both hand puppets and hilariously made up dogs to "perform" as the titular killer shrews. Suffice it to say some would probably die of laughter from seeing the beasts before they would succumb from any attack.

Gordon McLendon gave himself a role in this film as one of the scientists attempting to solve overpopulation by experimenting on shrews (don't ask any questions, they're futile in an enterprise like this). As with The Giant Gila Monster, the special effects were entrusted to director Ray Kellogg, who had a long and notable career at Fox. Unfortunately for Kellogg, McLendon simply didn't have the deep pockets that Fox did, and it shows in some of the effects work here.

The Killer Shrews Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The Killer Shrews is presented on Blu-ray in either its theatrical aspect ratio of 1.85:1 or the television version in 1.33:1. I've included just a couple of screenshots from the 1.33:1 version as I found the 1.85:1 framing to be the more balanced. Otherwise, the two versions show the same pluses and minuses, down to some of the same moments of (typically quite minor) age related wear and tear. Film Masters hasn't provided much (if any) technical information on the transfer, but like The Giant Gila Monster this boasts a pleasingly organic appearance, solid contrast and some generally good detail levels. Grain is arguably a bit grittier looking on this release than on The Giant Gila Monster. This film also indulges in quite a bit more dimly lit material, I suspect to hide the fact that the "shrews" are either puppets or dogs, and as such, detail levels are understandably not always as fulsome.

The Killer Shrews Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The Killer Shrews features a serviceable DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Mono track that offers capable support for quite a few ambient environmental effects, as well as the often less than stirring dialogue. There's some very minor crackling and break up in some of the more bombastic music cues. Optional English subtitles are available.

The Killer Shrews Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Ray Kellogg - An Unsung Master (HD; 16:12) is an interesting piece by Daniel Griffith providing some background on a curiously underappreciated Hollywood legend.


• Vintage radio spots for The Giant Gila Monster and The Killer Shrews (HD; 12:43) play to images from the films.


• Commentary for The Killer Shrews by Jason A. Ney is accessible under the Setup Menu.

The Killer Shrews Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

The Killer Shrews just can't quite get past the absurd shrews themselves, and the surrounding story here is almost like Tennessee Williams attempting to do low budget horror (I joke, but hopefully you get the idea). Technical merits are generally solid, and this disc's featurette on Ray Kellogg is especially worthwhile, for anyone who may be considering making a purchase.