One of the great giant monster movies of the 50's that nobody ever mentions any more was Tarantula . In the Arizona desert, a scientist (Leo G. Carroll) is working on a special growth formula that he hopes will help to feed the Earth's ever expanding population. When one of the scientist's assistants injects himself with the formula he goes mad and attacks the scientist. In the ensuing struggle one of the test subjects, a three foot long tarantula, escapes it's cage and wanders out into the desert. There is one catch, the version of the serum that the spider has been injected with causes it to keep growing exponentially. Soon it is the size of a car and attacking cattle and people. By the time the local Sherrif and the town doctor (played by the always priceless John Agar) figure out what is going on the spider is bigger than a house and still growing. By now it is not hard to find but it is also virtually unstoppable... machine gun fire and dynamite seem to have no effect. By the time the Airforce scrambles a squadron of fighter jets to battle the giant arachnid it is over 100 feet tall and heading directly towards town. This movie is a lot of fun and definately worth your time if you ever get a chance to watch it. Also, take a good look at the jet squadron leader... barely recognizable in his helmut and oxygen mask... it is none other than Clint Eastwood in an uncredited role!
Clint also appeared briefly, and again uncredited, in Revenge of The Creature , the sequel to Creature From The Black Lagoon , as a young lab technician. I think this may have been his first movie role.
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