Details

Release year: 1977

Storyline

In rural Arizona, countless killer tarantulas are migrating through a farm town, killing every living thing in their path. The town's veterinarian will do everything in his power to survive the onslaught.

Top credits

Directors

John 'Bud' Cardos

Writers

Cast

William Shatner — Dr. Robert 'Rack' Hansen
Tiffany Bolling — Diane Ashley
Woody Strode — Walter Colby
Lieux Dressler — Emma Washburn

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Did you know

• Tiffany Bolling was cast as the female lead because she was the only actress who auditioned for the film who had no problem working with spiders.

• Contrary to popular belief (and the film), the venom of most North American tarantulas is not deadly to humans, causing no more harm than a bee sting (unless, of course, the person is allergic to the venom). The worst injury most of the actors suffered while handling the tarantulas was troublesome itching caused by the spiders shedding their urticating bristles.

• The film crew painted thousands of fake spiders on buildings along the main business district in Camp Verde, AZ to give the impression of a large swarm of spiders. After the production wrapped, they hastily repainted the town without much attention to details. For several years afterward, the stenciled tarantulas were still easily visible on the lighter-colored buildings, hidden only by a thin coat of cheap cover-up paint.