A scientist resembling a modern Frankenstein (Strother Martin) conducts experiments involving snakes and people within the Southern California desert landscape. David (Dirk Benedict) finds employment as Dr. Stoner’s lab assistant after the previous one vanished without explanation. As he develops feelings for Stoner's daughter, Kristina (Heather Menzies), the doctor starts administering a snake serum to him. The 1973 film "SSSssss" is a reasonably good horror movie that clearly reflects its early 70s origins, but I’m unable to rate it higher because it feels more like a made-for-TV production than something intended for theaters. It brings to mind the TV movie “Gargoyles” from 1972; "SSSssss" shares a similar feel and aesthetic, though it isn't as strong even with its theatrical release. The reason? “Gargoyles” has a more compelling premise, and at just 74 minutes, it avoids the unnecessary length of "SSSssss." Despite this, there’s enough merit in "SSSssss" to recommend it to fans of similar films. A few carnival scenes are included, which often work well in horror movies. Martin delivers a solid performance as the eccentric doctor, and Reb Brown is memorable as an arrogant athlete, but Benedict and Menzies seem unremarkable in their roles as the young lovers. Perhaps that’s simply how their intellectual college student characters were conceived. Regardless, I found Menzies to be fairly forgettable here; she's more impressive in 1977’s "Piranha." Kathleen King has a brief role as a noteworthy female character, but it amounts to little more than a cameo appearance. It’s safe to say the film didn't do well with its female casting. The movie clocks in at 99 minutes and, though there isn't an entry on IMDb, it was clearly filmed around Los Angeles. GRADE: C+

Source on TMDB