Frogs
1972 · Directed by George McCowan · USA
Eco-exploitationer Frogs, directed by George McCowan in 1972, has a solid cast, including Ray Milland playing the overbearing patriarch of a rich white family. Sam Elliott, minus his trademark moustache, is the definitive photo journalist come action man when nature fights back.
It should have been called Frogs, Lizards, Snakes, Birds etc, as all the creatures of the swamp have a hand in the humans’ downfall.
I have shared the trailer as it has a different death for Aunt Iris. The original scene, of her lured to a swampy death by a giant butterfly, was cut and replaced as it was seen to be silly.
The cinematographer is on point with the photography, the various reptiles ramping up the menace as they become more predatory.
I leave you with this comic aside that appears after the closing credits fade out: an animated frog hops onscreen with a human hand hanging out of its mouth, after which it turns to face the audience and slurps the hand into its mouth, then turns away from the audience and hops off screen. They really don’t make them like this anymore.
Gallery
Trailer
From the score
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Les Baxter – music from Frogs