Sssssss (1973)

Truly Dreadful Film

An Exercise In Nonsense

The film creates a perfect balance between action and depth of basic needs, in the midst of an infertile atmosphere.

The plot isn't so bad, but the pace of storytelling is too slow which makes people bored. Certain moments are so obvious and unnecessary for the main plot. I would've fast-forwarded those moments if it was an online streaming. The ending looks like implying a sequel, not sure if this movie will get one

Released in 1973, the curiously titled "SSSssss" is about a modern Frankenstein-type (Strother Martin) who experiments with snakes and human beings in the desert hills of Southern California. David (Dirk Benedict) is hired by Dr. Stoner (Martin) as a lab assistant after his previous lab assistant mysteriously went missing. As the youth falls in love with Stoner's daughter, Kristina (Heather Menzies), the doctors begins injecting David with some king of snake serum.This is a pretty decent horror flick that has the early 70s written all over it, but I can't give it a higher rating because it comes off as a TV movie more than a theatrical release. Remember the TV movie "Gargoyles" from 1972? "SSSssss" has the same tone and look, but it's not as good even though it was theatrically released. Why? Because "Gargoyles" has a better topic and, at only 74 minutes, it lacks the padding of "SSSssss." Still, there's enough good in "SSSssss" to make it worthwhile for those who like these kinds of movies. There are a couple of carnival scenes, which are always good for horror flicks.Martin is effective as the mad doctor and Reb Brown as a pompous jock, but Benedict and Menzies come off bland as the youthful lovers. Then again, they're playing intellectual college nerds so I'm sure that's how their characters were written. Nevertheless, IMHO Menzies is pretty forgettable here; she's better in 1977's "Piranha." Kathleen King plays the only notable babe, but her part isn't much more than a cameo. Needless to say, bad job on the female front.The film runs 99 minutes and, although there is no listing on IMDb was obviously shot in the greater Los Angeles area.GRADE: C+ (almost B-)

"Dr. Carl Stoner" (Strother Martin) is a herpetologist who is working on a special serum and needs funding from the nearby university to continue. Unfortunately, due to the lack of funds available he decides to take a serious shortcut and begins to experiment on humans. When one of his lab assistants supposedly quits he finds a new one named "David Blake" (Dirk Benedict) who seems more than eager to help the kindly doctor as much as possible. Also helping out is Dr. Stoner's daughter, "Kristina Stoner" (Heather Menzies) who seems to take a liking to David almost from the very beginning. Now, rather than reveal any more of the movie and risk spoiling it for those who haven't seen it I will just say that even though there were some scenes which were a bit creepy there were also other scenes that I thought were a little dull and predictable. Along with that, although I liked all three of the actors I just mentioned, I thought the overall plot was kind of silly and towards the end I found it rather difficult to watch without shaking my head in disappointment. Obviously, others may disagree but even so I rate the movie as below average.

I am amazed by all of the positive reviews for this B-Movie. So much so that I intend on viewing this again.I suppose I should mention that I studied herpetology as a kid and am not afraid of reptiles - lizards are still my favourite animal. The Freak Show was a little unsettling but not equal to 'The Funhouse'. Strother Martin was a character actor whose disposition was always on the likable side, and Dirk Benedict later went on to be the original "Starbuck" on 'Battlestar Galactica' (I always thought they named the franchise after him).The story is very simple. It might have made a fair short story. I won't repeat the plot because many other reviewers have covered it.What amazes me about this picture is the nostalgic loyalty that is admitted by the many reviewers here. I see so many negative, and frankly unhelpful, reviews these days. My guess is that this movie defines the youth of the younger set of baby-boomers and that is quite a comment in itself.

I had never seen this but am a big fan of B horror flick, so I gave it a spin. The opening statement about the bravery of the animal handlers gave me pause, and for good reason. Were we really this stupid about treating the acting animals so badly! Through the movie, snakes' heads are rested in liquid to simulate their drinking alcohol...a mongoose is cooped up in a Havahart trap through the entire movie, making me very uncomfortable.The plot is actually funny. It is predictable and aside from some violence and gore, entertaining enough. Lots of 70's stuff. Funny skinny dipping scene with the leaves over the camera lens.I hated the ending. I didn't watch it, as it contained guns and violence to the animals. Take it or leave it. I won't watch it again.