Gargoyles (1972)

An anthropologist and author (Cornel Wilde) who debunks supernatural myths and legends finds himself in possession of the remains of a gargoyle. Unfortunately for him, the other gargoyles don't take kindly to this. So they kidnap his daughter (Jennifer Salt) and take her back to their lair, where we learn all about the history and life of gargoyles.Man, TV movies in the '70s were so cool. These days it seems like it's just clichéd romantic dramedies or murder mysteries, plus that garbage they make for SyFy. Back in the day, though, TV movies were actually quality with fresh ideas. The whole concept is very interesting and, with a real budget, this could have been released theatrically. Former movie star Cornel Wilde is in his twilight years here but does a good job. The very attractive Jennifer Salt provides nice eye candy and gets the majority of the screen time with the gargoyles. Early role for Scott Glenn as a dirt bike punk. Speaking of which, watch carefully for the scene where the cop backs his car up quickly to go chase after the dirt bike punks. The car comes within inches of hitting an obviously startled Jennifer Salt.Notable for being the first movie for make-up and special effects great, Stan Winston. The costumes and makeup used for the gargoyles here is pretty cool and fun. Yeah, you can tell they are costumes but given the obvious budgetary restrictions of a made-for-TV movie in 1972, I think they're damn impressive. I have a lot more respect for the craftsmanship that went into this than most of what you will see today in low budget movies with shitty cartoonish CGI.

I was 8 years old when this came on TV. I have not seen it since, and I ran across it on Youtube this morning. I'm watching it right now. And I now realized I forgot a lot of it. But the scary scene out in desert with the shadow of the gargoyle was creepy and scare today.Now the father and daughter are out in desert in evening and there is something on the roof of car. It's scary.I'm tired of people trashing movies because really its about poor CGI.I like "trashy" cheap movies, like the Asylum, because it's not about the special effects.I watched Jack the Giant Killer and it was lifeless, just special effects.I'll take a so-called trashy movie any day of the week.This movie is good. Somewhat poorly acted, but it's kitsch.

Gargoyles is one of the better 1970s made-for-TV horror/suspense films in a decade which produced many such; for those who saw lit at a young age, it's stuck in the memory through the years.I won't add hugely to what's been posted by others already save that I think the shock scenes, or scares are very well-done; the gargoyle at the foot of Dr. Boley's bed in the hotel room, the earlier attack on Uncle Willi's shed where Willie has the gargoyle skeleton, the sequence of the gargoyle chasing down the Boley's station wagon, then jumping atop the vehicle, etc. The fact that my parents owned a service station/garage of exactly the same design as the one Boley takes the station wagon to gave me an extra thrill, of course. Those seemed to be Shell station designs of the 1960s, and early 1970s for those interested -a small office, rest of space devoted to the garage, tires, and so on.I have to make mention of how terrifying Bernic Casey's Leader gargoyle is, very demonic with his batwings, and way he was photographed made him seem about eight feet tall plus that erie metallic voice. His interest in Diana Boley as more than a teacher(from her father's books) is quite obvious, although how gargoyle, and humans could have mated seems a problem since the gargoyles are egg-layers. Then, it's a short film, and there wouldn't have been room in 75 minutes to go deeply into all details in any case.Highly recommended for those who aren't jaded by today's CGI effects spectaculars - Stan Winston's genius was clear this early in the design of the monster's suits which still work quite well.

This made for TV horror film which stars Cornel Wilde battling the children of Satan arising from the earth again will give you a few chills as we think about Gargoyles taking over the earth as they keep trying to do. Although the film was shot on spare change in the Arizona desert it did get an Emmy Nomination for the Gargoyle makeup which was pretty good.Cornel Wilde is an archaeologist who with daughter Jennifer Salt is on a mission to an old desert rat, played by Woody Chambliss who runs a strange museum as a tourist trap. But he's got a skeleton that Wilde is sure is a fake. But a visit from some real Gargoyles convince him otherwise, especially after Chambliss is killed.Sheriff William Stevens is convinced that a bunch of dirt bikers did the deed, he's not ready to believe in Gargoyles. But when they kidnap Salt and kill motel manager Grayson Hall, Stevens is a believer and he and Wilde and the dirt bikers go into the desert searching for the Gargoyle lair and Salt.As I said the film is done on the cheap, but it definitely has some gruesome and horrifying moments. Bernie Casey as the head Gargoyle is eloquent in his defense of Gargoyle right to life.This one is pretty good for a made for TV film.