Trog (1970)

"Get me my hypo-gun - quickly!", 17 July 2007

A group of students stumble upon a cavern in the English countryside. Inside they discover an ape-like creature that just might be the missing link between apes and man. Dr. Brockton (Joan Crawford) takes an interest in the boys' discovery and begins a study of the troglodyte that she nicknames Trog. Just as Dr. Brockton's experiments begin to show some promise, opposition to her experiments takes shape in the form of Sam Murdock (Michael Gough) who would like to see Trog destroyed. He tries to do just that and accidentally sets Trog loose to go on a murderous rampage.

Trog is the kind of movie I really want to like. As far as camp appeal goes, it's got it in spades. The mere sight of Joan Crawford patting a poorly made-up ape/man on the head or playing fetch with him or feeding him rubber lizards should be enough to endear Trog to me. But it never quite works that way. Why? The movie is an interminable bore. By the time Trog goes on his rampage, it's too late. I've lost all interest.

As others have commented, Trog certainly is an unfitting swan song for an actress as legendary as Joan Crawford. But you've really gotta hand it to her. A professional to the end. Her delivery and acting may come across as ridiculous and over-the-top given the material and subject matter she was presented with in Trog, but that's just Joan doing what she did best – giving it her all.

3/10