Spanish title: Los Sapos (The Toads)
Stars: Ray Milland, Sam Elliott, Judy Pace, Joan Van Ark, Adam Roarke
Directed by: George McCowan
Distributor: American International Pictures (US; Mexican distributor unknown)

"Cold green skin against soft warm flesh… a croak… a scream."

A reclusive millionaire (Ray Milland) invites his family out to his remote home to celebrate his birthday, but the celebration turns sour when the poison the old bugger has been pouring into the local pond to get rid of the frog population turns out to have mutated them into killer beasties. Bad acting and effects ensue. 

Originally made as a TV movie for CBS, AIP released Frogs in theaters as a quick, cheap, drive-in flick – the kind of thing that Mexican audiences were happy to lap up in grindhouse theaters between the latest romp from El Santo and whatever nudie flick was in town.

It was directed by George McCowan, who had a long career directing such classic schlocky TV series as The Little Hobo, Nero Wolfe, and Felony Squad, though the early 70’s saw him direct a bunch of TV movies, the memories of which have long since fallen into the black hole of time – one of which (The Challenge) he ended up pulling an ‘Alan Smithee’ on. 

Frogs is no classic by any stretch of the imagination, but how can you not love the hell out of the poster image? In fact, I paid more for this lobby card than I have for many classics from the 1930’s and beyond, even though it has staple holes, pin holes, water stains, scratches, and some serious wear and tear – just for that awesome shot of the giant toad with the dismembered hand.

Croakers represent.