Jack the Giant Killer *** (1961, Kerwin Mathews, Judi Meredith, Roger Mobley, Torin Thatcher, Don Beddoe) – Classic Movie Review 3725

Co-writer/director Nathan Juran’s 1961 fairy tale is a bundle of fun frolics in which the Princess Elaine (Judi Meredith) is snatched by the wicked wizard Pendragon (Torin Thatcher) but is saved by a valiant peasant called Jack (Kerwin Mathews).

Our hero Jack fights various monsters along the way, aided by some rather exotic creatures.

The main attractions here are the outstanding live-animation special effects by Jim Danforth and lots of action, though it may be a shade gruesome for younger children.

These help to turn the movie into a thoroughly enjoyable Technicolor fantasy adventure experience, even if the predictable story (by Orville H Hampton) is a little bit over-familiar.

In outstanding character actor star support, Thatcher and Don Beddoe as the Imp in the Bottle are hugely amusing.

Also in the cast are Roger Mobley, Walter Burke, Barry Kelley, Dayton Lummis, Anna Lee, Helen Wallis, Tudor Owen and Ken Mayer.

It was remade in 2013 as Jack the Giant Slayer (2013).

© Derek Winnert 2013 Classic Movie Review 3725

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