Funny, I'd always thought of this as a flop, but find it was actually pretty successful at the box office.
The domestic gross of $52M in 1977 dollars adjusted for inflation would be almost $225M today. Not a blockbuster, but definitely a good size hit (nearly $390M worldwide, adjusted, vs...
Has there been any mechanical creature, ever, that worked well and as intended on the set?
I don't think I've ever heard any director/crew say, "the mechanical _____________ worked flawlessly!"