‘50s B-Movie Monster Madness Hits the Norfolk Coast

Horror cinema has been through many reinventions over the past century, evolving through myriad trends, influences and societal panics that often form the heart of the genre, but no matter how elevated the 21st century makes it, there is always a place for the beloved B-movie that dominated the ‘50s and ‘60s. Certainly this horrorphile has a soft spot for janky editing, corny acting and cheap special effects, all funnelled through picture quality that leaves something to be desired. If you’re the type with a love for creatures from outer space and black lagoons, for forbidden planets and lands of beegirls and mothmen, then a dynamic indie filmmaking trio from the sunny climes of Great Yarmouth has exactly what you’re looking for.

Childhood friends James Weeds, Kyle Ball and Jordon Thomas Sendall are the brains behind On the Huh Productions and its first feature, The Creature From Scroby Sands. All frustrated creatives who had gone on to more ordinary jobs, they found themselves longing for a creative outlet that would allow them to do what they loved, pay homage to the greats of the horror genre, and, most importantly, give Great Yarmouth the cinematic immortalisation it truly deserved. Throwing around ideas of a monster mash and a mockumentary movie, they eventually worked it all into one jocular project, with the core movie being bookended by a Fact or Fiction, late-night TV-style framework. Think Tales From the Crypt meets British seaside horror.

A staggered labour of love for the team, the movie spent around three years in production before making its grand debut on October 10 2025 at Yarmouth’s historic Ice House, which was decked out with all the standard film premiere accoutrements, along with themed food, drink and displays, and vintage cars. Anticipation had built over the preceding weeks, thanks in no small part to a brilliantly nostalgic hand-painted poster design that played into the best tropes of the monster B-movie, with bikini-clad women and terror-struck faces. Playing to a packed house of locals eager to see the town on the big screen, the event was a hit, raising money for local animal charities and generating buzz around Norfolk.

The main plot involves a group of four young friends who have travelled to Great Yarmouth for an unforgettable holiday, but once they arrive, they find the locals unwelcoming, and hear warnings of impending doom. You know, the usual “beware the moon” stuff. A number of colourful secondary characters are introduced, all played by local figures, with Hughie “The Druid” Harwood and Milly the dog being particular standouts. As the holiday stretches on, the friends’ relationships are tested, and a gruesome creature emerges from the waters of Scroby Sands to wreak havoc and throw severed limbs about. With some deliberately cheesy gore scenes and a delightfully tongue-in-cheek tone that is far from hesitant to give Yarmouth and its occupants a good ribbing, the creature feature lovingly leans into the genre’s best cliches and delivers a silly, black-and-white romp for the ages.

Easily the heart of the whole project is the sense of humour lent to it by Weeds, Ball and Sendall. Their jovial style is woven not just through every frame of the movie, but into their entire approach to indie filmmaking. The poster’s tagline reads “Hold Onto Your Fish and Chips,” while warning that there will be “positively NO refunds,” and even the press releases and promotional materials give off a firm sense of the grand English tradition of piss-taking. “To be honest, it all started as a joke,” says Sendall, and evidently this easy-going launch pad gave the movie what it needed. It’s just a laugh — one that you needn’t be familiar with the peculiarities of Yarmouth to enjoy, but certainly functions as a loving send-up of one of Britain’s most characterful decaying seaside towns.

The Creature From Scroby Sands has been enjoying further screenings since its October premiere, and recently won awards for best comedy and best trailer at the Fortean Film Festival. It is now ready to hit the 2026 festival circuit, where it is sure to garner further well-earned attention. Stay tuned to follow its journey from the dunes of Yarmouth to the wider world of the UK indie scene.