Rana: The Legend of Shadow Lake (1980)

Genres - Mystery  |   Sub-Genres - Creature Film  |   Release Date - Jan 1, 1981 (USA - Unknown)  |   Run Time - 96 min.  |   Countries - United States  |   MPAA Rating - NR
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Synopsis by Cavett Binion

Wisconsin's Bill Rebane followed his uproariously bad Giant Spider Invasion with yet another ultra-low-budget monster flick, this time centering on the antics of the title beastie, a legendary amphibious creature of the man-in-a-rubber-suit variety. Although Rana's origins are never made clear, it's implied that the creature began life as a human child and somehow mutated into its present state thanks to years of immersion in Shadow Lake's toxic sludge (one good look at the water is enough to support this theory). As an adult, the monster is busily prowling the lake's murky depths, snacking on frogs and local rednecks, and defending its turf from a pack of would-be gold prospectors. Though just as amateurish as Giant Spider Invasion, this drive-in nonsense lacks that film's camp hysteria and loony cast of characters.

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Keywords

mutant, beast, creature, half-human, lake, ancient, gold, guard, legend [fable], monster, retrieve, security-guard, treasure, evil