I don't think I've seen this gem since it was first on tv in the mid-60s. There's plenty of cool stuff: a unique type of flying saucer, which has the requisite 'propulsion system' on display, a remote desert location, with a collection of hick locals, a less-than-jolly giant alien, the giantism an effect of that magic elixir, radiation, and even some references to worldwide 'sightings' of the spaceship.What messes it up for me is the plot; also the tone seems off. If you ditch all the giant stuff, it might just make a decent low-rent crime drama. Selfish jerk and girlfriend scheme to get his wife's money by bumping her off. Maybe instead of growing into a giant--thanks to her alien connection--suppose the wife just goes nuts? That possibility is hinted at; and then she sets about turning the tables on both Harry and Honey.The alien giantism deal just becomes a convenient means for Nancy to get her revenge without filling out her role dramatically. On the other hand, as straight sci-fi, you could add more alien scenes, maybe using some of the other locations mentioned, to build up the suspense for the alien's flying saucer to show up in the desert. As it happens, the majority of the plot revolves around the love triangle. Nancy doesn't 'grow' into her role until the last third of the movie.The tone issue is more of a problem. Some people enjoy the Barney Fife-like deputy, but he just seems to soak up time. In such a short movie, time is better spent on the sci-fi or love triangle scenes. If he's got to be there, ok; but let him redeem himself by dying while trying to save someone. The 50-foot woman just brushes him aside as does everyone else.I agree with others that Harry's an idiot for taking up with the airhead Honey. His wife, whether crazy, alcoholic, or tall as a light pole, is much more fetching, and has more personality as well. Another silly choice occurs as the sheriff and the servant approach the flying saucer; the sheriff doesn't listen to the suggestion to get help from outside because "we don't know what we're up against". Isn't that the best reason to call in help?The special effects are uneven; the flying saucer, inside and out, is much more convincing than Nancy's giant hand flailing about in her bedroom, not to mention the alien's equally cartoonish hand poking around in his first encounter with Nancy. On the other 'hand', when Nancy is on the prowl for Harry, her hand looks real in what must be a dollhouse set. All of her destruction at the hotel is pretty well done. The movie ended too abruptly. I would've liked the flying saucer to do a drive-by; there needed to be more closure on the sci-fi plot. Fifty foot tall or not, Nancy's simply dead. She could've killed Harry and Honey by conventional means and somehow still gotten electrocuted without being a giant.I still enjoyed the movie. Not to be missed for fans of 50s sci-fi; otherwise, not such a big deal.

Great story believable acting.Special effects were not special. Wealthy, troubled and intoxicated Nancy Archer is on to her husband's infidelity. Riding home from town in the baron areas of the American southwest, Nancy slams on her breaks and see a large white glowing ball in the middle of the deserted interstate. Out comes a Giant who resembles Mr. Clean. The Giant reaches for Nancy's neck which has a necklace attached with a priceless diamond. Nancy in a panic drives away with her life and speeds home to her estate where her husband Harry (William Hudson) is calmly drinking as an insane Nancy tells her story of the Giant encounter to his pleasure. Harry's plan is to have his wife go insane and drink her self into an institution so he can frolic and enjoy his mistress Honey Parker played by Yvette Vickers. It seems that Hollywood in those days cast Mr. Hudson in stories related to Giants. i.e. The Amazing Colossal man. Reluctantly Harry agrees to go Giant shopping with the wife the next day driving the desolate,dry back roads to no avail. Finally as the sun begins to set Nancy sees a light and has Harry drive over . Sure enough the white sphere appears and out pops Mr. Giant and this time he grabs Nancy; diamond necklace and all! Whats to follow? Many mishaps in the special effects department! As I stated earlier Great story but the special effects were sub standard. I remember the encounter with the Giant as the Sheriff and butler Jess shoot at the Roman clad alien. The hairy handed Giant picks up the station wagon and the whole set at the same time. Problems with transparency were also an issue in the final cuts. It appears that the giants were transparent in the long shots. I've watched this Sci fi classic numerous times and when you come right down to it the attending Nurse is the scariest person in the film. Cast member Mike Ross worked double duty playing the Giant and Bartender. Funniest line in the picture is when the Family physician Dr. Cushing (Roy Gordon) and his staff see Nancy Archer as a giant for the first time. The Doctor's response was not "Holy @#$%" but "OUTSTANDING GROWTH!" For comic relief was our deputy played by Frank Chase who always drove his boss crazy throughout the film. I always felt that Allison Hayes was much lovelier than Yvette Vickers sort of a reference to the a Ginger Maryann, Betty or Veronica debate. Is this fictional story watchable ? Oh course but when searching for alien space craft in the desert, use your GPS.

Monsters from the Id. This Movie came Late in the 1950's Sci-Fi Cycle but it Contains Much of the Decades Angst and Subconsciously Displays a Rich Array of the Era's Fears and Uncomfortable Social Conventions.The Poster...Wonderfully Prolific Artist Reynold Brown Designed this Classic and it Contains an Ultra-Sexy, Larger than Life, Voluptuous Woman Straddling an Iconic Freeway and that Most Descriptive of Eisenhower Prosperity and Abundance, the Automobile.Pubescent Boys...Baby Boomers who Watched Allison Hayes in this Movie in the Back Seat of a Car at the Drive-In or Seated in a Balcony at the Local Movie-Theatre, or on TV, Certainly were made all Tingly by the Sight of this Sexy Woman in Revealing Cleavage and Skin Tight Clam-Diggers. That Definitely Contributed to the Pleasurable Memories and Added to the Cult Fever for the Film.Flying Saucers...Here for some Unknown Reason were Called Satellites (the Sputnik fear), and the Term is Spoken Many Times as if to Shout it to the World. The Most Eerie Part Takes Place inside the Sphere Transposing Low-Budget Corrugated Cardboard, Goldfish Bowls, and Fog into a Surreal Scene. It Includes Diamonds as Fuel for The Flying Saucer and are there as Reminder (probably unintentionally) of the Decades Opulence.Radiation...Another Movie where that Unleashed Cancer Causer Transfigured a Benign Creature into a Monster.Female Bondage (Housewives and a Woman's place)...Although Unintentional, it Manifested an Underlying Feminine Fear of Subjugation and Restriction. The 50 Foot Woman is Literally put in Chains and Doped Up.Overall, a Movie that Reaches Things on such a Subconscious Level can't Help but be Remembered, Embraced, Nervously Laughed At, Ridiculed, Loved and Hated. But the Lasting Legacy of the Film Really says More about Ourselves than the Movie's Competence or Lack Thereof.Besides All of that Mumbo-Jumbo, the Movie is a Hoot.

Ah, the 1950s. The era when sci-fi flicks depicted people either growing or shrinking. Nathan Juran's "Attack of the 50 Foot Woman" is a prime example. The hilariously terrible acting creates more than its share of charm. My favorite scene is when Allison Hayes jiggles the electrical pole and makes the lights flicker.So, it's just plain fun. After all, we watch these movies to laugh at them. "Mystery Science Theater 3000" would have had a field day with this movie. Ridiculous and enjoyable in every way.Also starring William Hudson and Yvette Vickers (who was found dead in her home earlier this year).