This was Stan Winston’s first real professional job (he had only just finished a three-year Walt Disney Studios makeup apprenticeship program), but he still had the guts to insist that he get a credit in the movie (which was seldom done at the time). The heads were created by Stan Winston Jim Phillips (on the left) & Ellis Burman do an early makeup application of the lead gargoyle (played by Bernie Casey) Just a thought.Gargoyle masks sculpted by Stan Winston for background characters Close-up shot of one of the background gargoyles from the film set Stan Winston applies dark camouflage makeup to a background actor on-set The costumes for the background gargoyles were by Ross Wheat (the bodies were neoprene wetsuits covered in fishnet and small pieces of rubber). Although it is just a minor cult film, Gargoyles has the potential to be so much more. More than any other TV movie I've ever seen, I think Gargoyles should be remade today with a big-screen release, and Winston should recreate his creature suits with modern makeup technology. Another person commented the similarities to the gargoyles and 'Jeepers Creepers.' While I agree that The Creeper had certain similarities, there was only one Creeper and the impact of that character certainly couldn't be what Gargoyles had on a 1972 audience. By today's standards, this comes close to 'The Creature from the Black Lagoon,' 'Them' and other '50s drive-in films. with the ability to scare young children. The REAL stars of the film were Bernie Casey, Richard Moll and all the other Gargoyles, hidden under latex costumes.

The only really memorable human character is the horny lady that owns the motel which Wilde and Salt stay in. Jennifer Salt, who I liked in 'Soap,' seemed miscast here, though she was effective. His lines are delivered with a wooden tone and no conviction. Cornel Wilde was probably in the late stages of his alcoholism, and it showed in his hokey performance as the lead. The bare-bones 74 minute movie had potential to be so much better than 50's b-movie fare, but instead the filmmakers opted to skip a solid story and add in a group of bikers and other silliness that reflected the times. The effects, though dated by today's CGI-laden standards, were spectacular - and the Stan Winston created gargoyle suits still look good pretty damn today. Seeing it again as an adult is a different matter entirely. As a kid, I was freaked out by gargoyles because of this movie (unlike the next generation who saw gargoyles as defenders of evil, thanks to a Disney series). This is one of those childhood films that has always stuck in my mind.

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