Horror On The Lens: Teenage Caveman (dir by Roger Corman)


Future serious actor Robert Vaughn made his film debut in 1958’s Teenage Caveman.  Directed by Roger Corman, Teenage Caveman tells the story of a rebellious young man (that’s Robert Vaughn) who chooses to defy his father’s warnings and venture beyond the caves and into “the forbidden zone.”  He’s told that monsters roam in the forbidden zone and indeed, at least one of them does.  However, neither the Teenage Caveman nor his father are prepared for what lies at the heart of the forbidden zone.

(What will he find out there, Dr. Zaius?)

Robert Vaughn later said that, out of all the bad films that he made, this was the worst.  Personally, I think he was being a bit too hard on the film.  It’s not good but it is definitely fun.  Along with watching all of the dinosaur stock footage, you get to wonder how a caveman — especially a teenage caveman! — could possibly have such perfect hair.  Even more importantly, if you stick with it, this film has a twist ending that has to be seen to be believed.

Here is Teenage Caveman: