THE BEAST FROM 20,000 FATHOMS (1953)

A year and a half before Godzilla's underwater crib was blown up by a hydrogen bomb test in 1954, the nameless dinosaur from THE BEAST FROM 20,000 FATHOMS woke up on the wrong side of the bed thanks to a nuclear bomb testing in the Arctic Circle.  Having never been a morning person, "The Beast" roars a lot then starts making his way back home...a spot in the Hudson River right where New York City is now.  Uh-oh!

For a one-time viewing, THE BEAST FROM 20,000 FATHOMS is an interesting watch.  Both for entertainment and historical value.  The story starts off quickly, we actually get to see the monster early on (and he looks great) and the build-up before the inevitable attack on NYC is well paced and enjoyable.

Interesting supporting cast with a number of familiar faces (including James Best, Jack Pennick, Lee Van Cleef and Steve Brodie), a female stunt person who takes an impressive tumble down some stairs, memorable scenes of the Beast stomping down NYC streets, completely bad ass special effects by Ray Harryhausen (even all these years later that dinosaur looks amazing!), good acting, screenplay based off an original story by Ray Bradbury, NYC street footage showing actual theater marquees for DETECTIVE STORY and ACROSS THE WIDE MISSOURI, gem thieves striking in the London fog and even the dinosaur skeleton from BRINGING UP BABY makes a surprise appearance!  I wasn't expecting that.

THE BEAST FROM 20,000 FATHOMS might be too slow or dated for less patient viewers, but that's their loss, cause this movie is definitely worth checking out.