A longtime "dream" project of production designer-turned-director
Eugene Lourie,
The Beast From 20,000 Fathoms sees the titular beast unleashed on the world via nuclear testing. Making its way from the Arctic Circle, the monster-a carnivorous "rhedosaurus"-begins advancing towards New York. It stomps its way around Wall Street, pausing to have a policeman for lunch. By the time it has reached Coney Island, the rhedosaurus is more of a danger than ever because of the deadly bacteria it carries within its system. It's up to researcher
Paul Christian and sharpshooter
Lee Van Cleef to try to liquidate the beast with a grenade chock full of radioactive isotopes.
Beast From 20,000 Fathoms represented effects artist
Ray Harryhausen's first solo effort, after assisting
Willis O'Brien on
Mighty Joe Young (1949).