The mythic critter Cyclops, with one eye and optional horn, has turned up a few times in the history of cinema, usually in a cameo role. Though he did take the lead, sans horn, in the not-overly-memorable Cyclops (US-2008; dir. Declan O’Brien) and once gave his name to a mad scientist who shrank people in Dr. Cyclops (US-1940; dir. Ernest B. Schoedsack), he was most notably brought to life by animation giant Ray Harryhausen in the classic The 7th Voyage of Sinbad (US-1958; dir. Nathan Juran):
[youtube rCYfrAPEz38]
However, it doesn’t end there. An unusual, virtually unknown cyclops also appears in the typically weird Hindi film Tarzan Aur Jadui Chirag [aka Tarzan and the Wonderful Lamp] (India-1966; dir. Baboobhai Bhanji), perhaps inspired by Harryhausen’s efforts, though hairier and given an Indian ambiance. Note the three people — presumably the protagonists — who calmly sit there watching as the cyclops rampages, as though they’re referees ready to assign points…
[youtube EycxWgf03ho]
Decent man-in-suit creature, with some very basic split-scene blend FX…. Still, I love coming across this sort of thing.
Source: Monster! Blog
Apparently, the Cyclops footage was taken from an Indian Hercules movie and was originally in color. Given that it demolishes a Chinese style arch, it makes one wonder if more milage wasn’t gotten from the footage, as well.
Interesting. Thanks for that bit of information, Cam. I don’t suppose you know the name of the originating film?
They also have a “King-Kong” movie without giant ape, but with another giant monster)