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Film: The Snow Creature
Year: 1954
Director: W. Lee Wilder
Writer: Myles Wilder
Starring: Paul Langton, Leslie Denison and Teru Shimada
Review:
This was a film that I learned about when searching for horror from 1954. Now I’m not working through that year yet, but since this one did take place in the snow, I thought it fit for my winter theme in December. Outside of knowing that information, I came into this one blind.
Synopsis: American botanical expedition in the Himalayas stumbles across a Yeti den, captures one and transports it back to Los Angeles.
We start this off learning more about our lead, Dr. Frank Parrish (Paul Langton). He wanted to study the plant life around the Himalayas so he talked about getting to Shekar, which is the last settlement before the mountain. Frank tells about bringing along Peter Wells (Leslie Denison), Subra (Teru Shimada) and the ten locals that were handpicked to join them.
This journey starts off with no issues. That is until we see that Subra’s wife, Tala is taken. A man from the village comes to tell him and Subra wants to find her. He tells this to Frank who doesn’t believe that it was a Yeti. He questions their existence. Subra leads a mutiny, taking the ammunition from the guns and the men split into two groups, looking for signs of the beast.
It takes time but they’re able to find footprints, which after days of following bring them to a cave. It is here that Frank comes up with a compromise. With the help of the team, they’re able to knock out a Yeti. They then take it down the mountain and head back to the United States with it. Things get complicated here though when the refrigerated case they use to transport it gets held up at customs. This causes a debate if this is a human that is held against its will or a beast that can be studied.
That is where I’ll leave my recap and introduction to the characters. Where I want to start is that while watching this, it didn’t click that this is a retelling of King Kong. It took me settling into writing the review that I realized it. There are plot elements or characters that have different reasons or jobs, but this is just using that basic story. Instead of a film production, we have a botanist who comes to this remote area. A woman is taken by the beast and it causes the team to search for her. It is then decided to bring the creature back to the US. This last point isn’t for financial gain, but it gets free and goes on a rampage. Again, they use the basic plot points while putting their own spin on it. I appreciate that at least.
Now that I’ve set that up, I will say that I was intrigued by the set up. Looking back, I do find it curious that a botanist is going up the Himalayas, since he studies plants. This terrain is covered with snow. I’m not going to harp too much, because I do believe there are areas where a rare plant could go, so I can roll with that. Something I don’t recall if he was looking for something specific or just wanting to see what could be found. Then having this take place while they’re climbing the mountain is also good. It is treacherous without a creature. Then having a Yeti works for me, because I’m a fan of this beast.
I’m going to shift gears and talk about filmmaking. Starting with the positives, I’m guessing this was done on sets. They look fine though as it feels cold. That is a perk. I’ll credit the framing and cinematography there. Another thing would be the look of the Yeti. It isn’t great, but we’re also in a time where they did everything practical. The camera work helps to hide seams. It is in the dark which helps to hide things as well. I do have a negative though. This film is boring. It has a short runtime which should work in its favor. There is quite a bit of walking/hiking. Then there are stretches where they’re trying to find the escaped animal. It struggled to keep my attention.
I did also want to go back to something with the story and it involves social commentary. It is interesting this debate about whether the Yeti is a man or a beast. Customs is holding up its release due to this. Now I’m guessing part of this is because Frank and his team gave it an injection to keep it knocked out. It asks an interesting question though; what would you consider this? Is it being held against its will which is kidnapping or is this an animal? I’d lean to the latter unless we see high intelligence to go with the former.
All that is left then to discuss is the acting. I’m going to start by saying that everyone is fine, but this is a dry film that lacks personality. I’d bet that the writing isn’t helping there. Langton is fine as the lead. He does seem like this scientist who is intrigued by the discovery. Denison works as his sidekick. Neither are fleshed out that much if I’m honest though. Shimada works as this lead guide for them. Lock Martin is good sized to be the creature. The rest of the cast were fine as I said for what was needed.
In conclusion, this film does have good aspects to its setup. Putting our characters on the side of a dangerous mountain in the snow is good. Then you have a legendary cryptid like the Yeti stalking them has me. The problem is that this film isn’t paced well and doesn’t build tension, despite its 71 minute runtime. It borrows elements from King Kong and does pose an interesting question with his monster. It is made well enough with the look of the beast, the cinematography and framing. Not one that I can recommend though as it isn’t that strong unfortunately.
My Rating: 4 out of 10