Directed by Bernard L. Kowalski, Attach of the Giant Leeches was released to theaters and drive-ins the summer of 1959 at the tail end of an explosion of monster movies in the 1950s. Like most monster movies of the day, it too was a response to American cold war fears of the time. In the film, it is speculated that leeches had mutated to their giant size by atomic radiation from nearby Cape Canaveral.

The story takes place in the Florida Everglades, and centers around the quirky locals, who aren't taken serious until they begin dying. As a response, game warden Steve Benton (Ken Clark) leads a small search party to seek and destroy the giant leeches.

Interesting Fact: Actress Yvette Vickers, who plays the first victim character Liz Walker, also appeared as the centerfold of Playboy in July of the same year.