Bert I. Gordon directs a low budget film loosely based on H.G. Wells' novel The Food of the Gods. Beach party mentality meshes with sci-fi, as a young boy named Genius(Ron Howard)by accident creates a substance that makes animal life to grow super large. His sister Nancy(Charla Doherty)and boyfriend Mike(Tommy Kirk)see a money making situation. The substance is dubbed "Goo" and could increase future food supplies dramatically. Just think, selling the formula for say...a million dollars! Giant chickens let loose at a small dance party amazes everyone. A group of snobby delinquents led by Fred(Beau Bridges)crash the party and get the notion to steal the "Goo" for their own fun. Something changes their minds and Fred urges his friends to eat the substance themselves. They grow outrageously large and sees themselves taking over anything they desire. During all the chaos of dancing and merriment, Genius can't remember the formula to make more "Goo". For all the young guys(and older as well)the highlight of the movie is Fred's girlfriend Merrie(Joy Harmon)filling out a sweater. And when she becomes giant size...you can only imagine what you couldn't handle even if you wanted to! Music is provided by Freddy Cannon, Mike Clifford and the British sounding Beau Brummels. Also in the cast: Johnny Crawford, Tisha Sterling, Robert Random, Tim Rooney, Kevin O'Neal and Toni Basil.

Village of the GiantsThe important thing about living with gigantic teenagers is not being buried under falling puss from their popped pimples.Fortunately, the overgrown adolescents in this sci-fi comedy are clear-skinned.When a gang of rowdy teens lead by Fred (Beau Bridges) breaks down in a small town, they come across a local youngster, Genius (Ron Howard), who has a substance that causes gigantism in its consumers.Stealing a batch, the gang gobbles it down and grows 30-feet tall.The towering teens then take-over the town and terrorize its citizens.Now, it's up to Genius' sister Nancy (Charla Doherty) and her boyfriend (Tommy Kirk) to administer the antidote before it's too late.With a swinging soundtrack from The Beau Brummels, this low-budget adaptation of an H.G. Wells tale is made marvelous by its over-sized mechanical props.However, one sock hop from these kids and the West Cost crumbles into the Pacific Ocean.Yellow Lightvidiotreviews.blogspot.com

A boy scientist (a young Ron Howard) accidentally happens upon an enlarging formula that first affects animals and, then, an unruly set of teenagers (led by Beau Bridges). Despite its promising satirical take on both the generational gap (a remnant of the previous decade) and anti-establishment attitudes (then coming into force), this emerges as just about the most inconsequential adaptation ever made of a fantasy classic – the source being H.G. Wells' "The Food of the Gods"…which the director returned to, relatively more soberly, 11 years later for his film of that name. The sighting here of huge go-go dancing ducks, barely acknowledged by assorted 'hipsters' (including leading man Tommy Kirk) similarly letting rip at a nightclub – to the strains of The Beau Brummels and Jack Nitzsche – is not easily forgotten and unfortunately synonymous of the film's innate silliness. Incidentally, Gordon seems to have had something of a fixation on giant-sized menaces throughout his career, since he frequently dealt with this subject matter…and, for obvious reasons, was himself affectionately referred to as "Mr. B.I.G."!

A groovy California partying crowd led by Beau Bridges (as Fred) crashes their car in a rainstorm. They turn up the radio, drink beer, and dance in the downpour. Then, they walk to nearby "Hainesville" for kicks. In the small town (containing no parents), Tommy Kirk (as Mike) is smooching with his girlfriend while her little brother Ronny Howard (as Genius) works in the basement accidentally mixing a "Goo" which makes you grow BIG. The family cat gets into the "Goo" and grows.Then, they give it to a couple of ducks, who become giant ducks, and quack up the local dance club...Meanwhile, Mr. Bridges' gang from the opening scene has arrived in time for a feast of giant duck meat. Then, they eat "Goo" and pop out of their clothes. Setting up shop in the local theater, Bridges and the gang decide to take over the town and make Mr. Kirk, his gum-chewing ex-"Mouseketeer" pal Johnny Crawford (as Horsey) and their friends servants. Kirk must save the town from the giant youth. Up for the task, Kirk turns out to be a resourceful and determined leader.The songs are pleasantly representative of the recording artists. Freddy Cannon ("Little Bitty Corrine") and Mike Clifford ("Marianne") were at the end of their record careers. The Beau Brummels ("Woman" / "When it Comes to Your Love") were very popular in 1965, but none of the soundtrack songs hit. There were singers in the cast who do not perform; the biggest hits of two - Johnny Crawford with "Cindy's Birthday" (1962) and Toni Basil with "Mickey" (1982) - span 20 years."Village of the Giants" easily qualifies as "so bad it's good," and you may want to see it again immediately.Obviously a youth exploitation film for the time, it's like a Disney film with a dose of sex appeal. Everyone looks good, with bosomy Joy Harmon (as Merrie) most prominently going to the head of the pack; representative of cheap sexploitation is the scene with Mr. Crawford hanging onto her giant breasts. Most in the cast have family members who are also known; most recognizable (in my viewing) were Mickey's son Tim Rooney (as Pete) and Ryan's brother Kevin O'Neil (as Harry).***** Village of the Giants (10/20/65) Bert I. Gordon ~ Tommy Kirk, Beau Bridges, Johnny Crawford, Ron Howard