Frogs (1972)

★ 4.7 1h 30m IMDb

Horror

Jason Crockett is an aging, grumpy, physically disabled millionaire who invites his family to his island estate for his birthday celebration. Pickett Smith is a free-lance photographer who is doing a pollution layout for an ecology magazine. Jason Crockett hates nature, poisoning anything that crawls on his property. On the night of his birthday the frogs and other members of nature begin to pay Crockett back.

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Cast

Ray Milland as Jason Crockett Died 1986 · Neath, Glamorgan, Wales, UK Ray Milland (born Reginald Alfred John Truscott-Jones or Alfred Reginald Jones; 3 January 1907 – 10 March 1986) was a Welsh actor and director. He is best remembered for his Academy Award–winning port...

Sam Elliott as Pickett Smith Age 81 · Sacramento, California, USA Samuel Pack Elliott (born August 9, 1944) is an American actor. His rangy physique, thick horseshoe mustache, and deep, resonant voice (with a Western twang/drawl) match the iconic image of a cowboy o...

Joan Van Ark as Karen Crockett Age 82 · New York City, New York, USA Joan Van Ark (born June 16, 1943) is an American actress, most notable for her role as Valene Ewing, which she originated on the CBS hit series Dallas and continued for thirteen seasons on its long-ru...

Adam Roarke as Clint Crockett Died 1996 · Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA Adam Roarke (born Richard Jordan Gerler; August 8, 1937 – April 27, 1996) was an American actor and film director. Description above from the Wikipedia article Adam Roarke, licensed under CC-BY-SA, f...

Judy Pace as Bella Garrington Died 2026 · Los Angeles, California, USA Judy Lenteen Pace (born June 15, 1942) is an American actress known for her roles in films and television shows, particularly blaxploitation films. Pace portrayed Vickie Fletcher on the TV series Peyt...

Director George McCowan

Cast Ray Milland, Sam Elliott, Joan Van Ark, Adam Roarke, Judy Pace, Lynn Borden, Mae Mercer, David Gilliam, Nicholas Cortland, George Skaff

Wuchak 5/10 Jul 12, 2018

**_Lazy pre-"Jaws" nature-nuns-amok flick_**

Myriad swamp creatures (frogs, snakes, alligators, lizards, scorpions, tarantulas, crabs, etc.) vengefully attack a crotchety old man's Southern mansion in the swamp. Apparently, they’re hopping mad about the toxic chemicals used to exterminate them, not to mention pollutants in general. The film stars Ray Milland as the old grump, a mustache-less Sam Elliott and a young Joan Van Ark.

"Frogs" (1972) predates "Jaws" by a few years. The creators were obviously going for a swamp version of the basic "The Birds" plot. The difference is that "The Birds" is a first-rate flick whereas "Frogs" is second rate, which isn’t to say that it’s unprofessional or that there aren’t points of interest. Any fan of nature-runs-amok flicks should find something to like. The film gives you what you pay for: Real swamp locations with real swamp creatures horrifyingly attacking and killing people, not to mention a grand antebellum mansion and grounds.

The best thing is that the story is taken seriously. There's no silliness or camp to be seen as in, say, "Lake Placid" or "Crocodile" (2000). Another highlight is Joan Van Ark who’s quite fetching at 28 during shooting. Lynn Borden and Judy Pace are also worth mentioning in the feminine department. On the other side of the gender spectrum, there’s Elliott, who’s excellent as the low-key macho protagonist, as well as Adam Roarke and David Gilliam, amongst others.

The main problem with “Frogs” is that there isn't any suspense; the tone is curiously lazy. But if you're a fan of creatures-on-the-loose films or any of the cast members then you'll probably find something to appreciate. It has more originality than the many post-"Jaws" flicks and there are indeed a few horrifying parts. Just don't expect a Class A film like "The Birds" or much suspense and you won't be disappointed.

For any who complain that the name of the movie is inaccurate in light of the fact that there are various bog creatures attacking the people, not just frogs, think about it like this: The frogs are like little Napoléons sending their soldiers into the fray.

It runs 90 minutes and was shot entirely at Eden Gardens State Park, Florida, which is located on the panhandle 20 miles west of Panama City.

GRADE: C+