Longtime Local Horror Movie Still A Hit

JACKSONVILLE, FL -- ZAAT is a radioactive walking catfish that was dreamed up by local filmmaker Don Barton and put on film in 1971.

It's been ranked as the seventh worst movie of all time on one moviegoers website, but horror movie fans keep coming back to be frightened by this "B" movie.

"I think it is one of those classic movies that is so bad it's good. Where else can you find a half man, half catfish coming out of the St. Johns River?" says Ed Fitzgerald who showed up to see the movie.

It was shot in a month in Rainbow Springs, Green Cove Springs, Switzerland in St. Johns County, and Marineland, and all on a budget of $75,000.

Local and southern theaters showed the film soon after its release and this year hundreds showed up at a special showing in Atlanta and Wednesday night at the 5 Points Theatre.

ZAAT won't go away.

"There are some elements of the movie that just resonate with people. A theatre owner who screened the movie for us earlier this year in Atlanta said it was ahead of its time," said 79-year -old Barton.

Paul Galloway, 86, played Sheriff Lou Krantz in the movie and can't believe he's still talking to fans 38 years later.

"I thought it was a gas putting on a uniform and running around and getting killed," as he chuckles. "It really surprises me at how people are still enjoying the movie."

Barton has kept the ZAAT costume in his garage for 38 years. It certainly could come to life again, and Don Barton says he has an idea in mind for a sequel.  He estimates the budget for the new movie would be at least $500,00 to more than a million.

So, ZAAT could come to the silver screen again at a budget ten times greater, and hopefully to better reviews.

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