wwwocls-72759 Just saw this on Me-TV. This isn't a snake; it's a damn dog. Boring as hell with zero payoff. The doctor has some random (completely ridiculous) idea that snakes will somehow survive in the future when humans won't or something like that. Well, being cold-blooded, snakes would be lost in the cold so there's one of many evolutionary advantages we have. That we have limbs, vastly superior hearing and the power to reason are just other reasons why snakes being evolutionary darlings over us is moronic. That neither Dirk (poor Dirk) or the girl wouldn't have a clue all those shots were causing trouble (or even necessary) is dumbfounding. Then the doctor dies, not by getting bit by Dirk, but by getting cocky and getting bit by a cobra! He's just talking to a snake, as usual, and, oops, gets bit and dies. Oh, and there's the thing with the python killing and eating that guy even though the snake is way too small and the guy way too big to be realistic. They even had a doll shoe sticking out of the snake's mouth to make it look like he'd been eaten.

Uriah43 "Dr. Carl Stoner" (Strother Martin) is a herpetologist who is working on a special serum and needs funding from the nearby university to continue. Unfortunately, due to the lack of funds available he decides to take a serious shortcut and begins to experiment on humans. When one of his lab assistants supposedly quits he finds a new one named "David Blake" (Dirk Benedict) who seems more than eager to help the kindly doctor as much as possible. Also helping out is Dr. Stoner's daughter, "Kristina Stoner" (Heather Menzies) who seems to take a liking to David almost from the very beginning. Now, rather than reveal any more of the movie and risk spoiling it for those who haven't seen it I will just say that even though there were some scenes which were a bit creepy there were also other scenes that I thought were a little dull and predictable. Along with that, although I liked all three of the actors I just mentioned, I thought the overall plot was kind of silly and towards the end I found it rather difficult to watch without shaking my head in disappointment. Obviously, others may disagree but even so I rate the movie as below average.

mnpollio This is a one of those queasy low-budget downbeat horror films that proliferated in double features in the 1970s.Wacko herpetologist Strother Martin recruits college jock Dirk Benedict as a lab assistant in his work with snakes (ergo the title). It does not take long for the viewer to figure out that Martin is a loon with an insidious agenda, although it seems to take everyone on screen forever and a day to reach the same conclusion. When not holding court over rodeo-style shows where he antagonizes a King Cobra to the amazement of a sparse handful of gawkers, Martin spends inordinate amounts of time in his lab - ostensibly doing work on creating antidotes for snake-bite victims. He is assisted for the most part by his young nubile daughter Heather Menzies, adorned with large unattractive spectacles to try to convince us that she is not a beautiful woman and is incredibly brainy. The eyewear fails on both counts. However, with one assistant already, and not exactly swimming in work or loot, the addition of another lab assistant, especially a courteous young buck without a brain cell on display does not make a whole lot of sense unless Martin has something sinister in mind. Naturally, it does not take long for Benedict and Menzies to start making goo-goo eyes at each other, much to Martin's consternation. Martin insists on injecting Benedict with a variety of serums, which he insists are standard for herpetology lab assistants.In fairness, the direction is fairly competent and there are some moments of suspense, which will probably be magnified for anyone with a fear of snakes. What kills the film is that the storyline is so absurd and too much relies on characters acting stupidly – even more so than in the average horror flick.For instance early in the film, Benedict sheds a top layer of skin like a snake shedding its skin. Any rational human being would begin to suspect that there was something suspicious in those injections that Martin has been pushing and would seek a second opinion, but the dutifully docile Benedict simply takes Martin's word that it is "normal" and goes on as if nothing strange just happened. And has anyone run into a college jock that behaves the way that Benedict does in this film? He is completely without attitude, painfully polite and helpful, takes everything his elders say at face value and, even when obviously sickening and in pain in the latter portion of the film, still allows himself to be led around by Martin. He may as well have VICTIM tattooed on his forehead. Never once does our lunkhead guess that he is dealing with a backwater Dr. Moreau hoping to transform humans into reptiles. And are we seriously supposed to believe that Menzies lives and works in this same compound with her crazy dad, has a romantic relationship going with Benedict, and suspects nothing? To drag out the proceedings, outside interference enters in the form of kindly coach Richard B. Shull who becomes suspicious when Martin starts limiting access to Benedict and strapping bully Reb Brown has designs on Menzies. When Brown tries to sneak into Menzies bedroom and accidentally kills her harmless pet snake, you know his days are numbered.Character actor Martin takes the whole thing very seriously, which is not very helpful. Benedict and Menzies are solid, but stuck playing characters so idiotic that it is hard to be sympathetic.The film seems to be flirting with exploitation status, but never really has the bona fides to make it. For instance, the murders are committed in a largely bloodless fashion, so gorehounds will not be sated. The film throws in an odd and completely pointless skinnydipping scene for Benedict and Menzies, but then films it Austin Powers-style with laughable painted on foliage to protect the modesty of the leads. However, later the filmmakers go the opposite route providing nudity from hunky Brown in the shower when Martin stages an attack on him, which makes the timidity of the earlier scene seem particularly puzzling.The film has no humor, so it fails to be a campy guilty pleasure. As it unwinds, it also becomes progressively dumber, with a jaw-dropping conclusion that almost seems written by someone on acid. Truly nothing ends well for anyone: the authorities descend on Martin's lair too late to prevent anything. The final ludicrous moments feature a snake being ravaged by an escaped mongoose, while the camera freeze frames on Menzies' angst-ridden shrieking countenance. As the image fades to black, it is hard not to initially wonder – did someone really get paid for writing this?

Chase_Witherspoon Demented herpetologist Dr Carl Stoner (Martin) develops a serum capable of transforming human beings into King Cobras, whilst ostensibly conducting neurotoxin research for the local university. With his research grant under threat from rival academic nemesis (Shull), Dr. Stoner must take matters into his own hands to secure the birth of his penultimate mutation – arousing the suspicions of his somewhat bookish daughter (Menzies) who has fallen for his unfortunate intern cum guinea pig.Taut little shocker succeeds with marvellous make-up effects (courtesy of John Chambers), convincing action sequences, and, particularly good characterisations from the versatile cast. Martin is superb as the reclusive, brilliant but ultimately disturbed scientist, spellbound by his King Cobra's majestic superiority, and possessed to find the formula to transform man into snake. Benedict (future "Battlestar Gallactica" and "The A-Team" star) is also good as his ill-fated assistant, while veterans Jack Ging and Richard B.Shull provide contrasting characterisations amply in support.Whilst the film's climax requires a fair amount of creative latitude to be appreciated, it's the gradual transformation and constant obstacles that generate the most interest throughout the film. Benedict's character suffers from a major case of minor hero worshipping of the eminent snake doctor, leading him to almost blindly accept painful inoculations that cause strange abnormalities to emerge with each lethal injection. With his naïve assistant plagued by severe, chronic dermatitis and deformation of the facial features, the spectre of being discovered becomes too intense for the usually mild-mannered doctor, and he employs his deadly black mamba to full effect on those who threaten the success of his deranged experiments.Made on a b-grade budget, the sets are simple but realistic, the outdoor shots garish, with a truly seventies surrealist hallucination scene, intelligent dialogue and memorable music. Overall, if you can suspend disbelief for an hour-and-a-half, you'll be well entertained with "Sssssss".