Zombies Of Mora Tau (1957)

Starring Gregg Palmer, Allison Hayes, Autumn Russell, Joel Ashley, Morris Ankrum
Directed by Edward L. Cahn
(actor & director credits courtesy IMDB.com)

An expedition arrives at an African island to dive for a legendary cache of diamonds, only to find the stones protected by zombies, who are frighteningly real.

Although modern audiences might find the zombies here a little tame, as there's no blood or gore on screen, I've always enjoyed this film, and the expressionless zombies are effective enough.  Cahn's direction keeps them menacing, particularly during close-up attacks.  Unfortunately, the underwater sequences are clearly filmed dry for wet and don't come off as well.  Hayes, playing the bold wife with a yen for her abrasive husband's diver, is fun to watch, particularly after she becomes a zombie victim, and Majorie Eaton is enjoyable as the aged widow of one of the zombies, sternly warning the rest of the cast about the danger they're in.  Palmer, playing the noble diver, is an acceptable lead, Russell makes a beautiful love interest, and dependable character actors like Ankrum and Gene Roth  are appreciated.  I wouldn't place this among the great zombie pictures, but it delivers some worthwhile 1950s fun.    

The Creature Walks Among Us (1956)

Starring Jeff Morrow, Rex Reason, Leigh Snowden, Gregg Palmer, Maurice Manson
Directed by John Sherwood
(actor & director credits courtesy IMDB.com)

A wealthy scientist, obsessed with controlling what he owns, including his young wife, plans to recapture the Gill-Man and transform him into an evolved form of life.

The second sequel to Creature From The Black Lagoon is an improvement on the previous film, Revenge Of The Creature, staging much of its action in the Florida Everglades, where the Creature, hidden beneath the murky surface, becomes a predatory threat, with underwater photography to rival that in the original film.  It also takes the story further in a unique direction, with the creature becoming less bestial and more tragic as he is robbed of his gills and forced to live on land.  Although Snowden is given a progressive role as a woman concerned with her own needs and seeking to distance herself from both Morrow's controlling husband and Palmer's obsession with her, it's too bad and rather surprising she doesn't have any meaningful scenes with the Creature.  I think the film's strongest plusses are the speculative screenplay by Arthur Ross and the adept music score which paints a different palette than the past two films, featuring a memorable jazz theme for Snowden, and some terrifically suspenseful cues.

From Hell It Came (1957)

Starring Tod Andrews, Tina Carver, Linda Watkins, John McNamara, Gregg Palmer
Directed by Dan Milner
(actor & director credits courtesy IMDB.com)

American scientists studying nuclear fallout on a tropical island face danger from the natives who've been turned against them, as well as a supernatural tree monster.

Although you'd be hard pressed to find anyone who would take this picture seriously, it's a lot of fun, with a memorable monster and a foreboding theme for its attacks from veteran composer Darrell Calker.  A lot of story is crammed into the film, but much of the dialogue is unnecessary exposition, which is okay because we're obviously here for the tree monster, who doesn't fail to entertain.  Directed by Dan Milner and produced by Jack Milner, and despite the ludicrous premise and low budget, this is a step up from the Milners' previous picture, The Phantom From 10,000 Leagues, but according to IMDB, was sadly their last.

Most Dangerous Man Alive (1961)

Starring Ron Randell, Debra Paget, Elaine Stewart, Anthony Caruso, Gregg Palmer
Directed by Allan Dwan
(actor & director credits courtesy IMDB.com)

A gangster caught in an atomic blast not only survives it, but finds it has mingled his atoms with that of a steel tower, turning him into an indestructible man.

Not a film too distinguished in any regard but nevertheless still very watchable, this low-budget effort from veteran director Dwan could have been something special had more money been put into the makeup or effects, although a scene where Randell is electrocuted still comes off pretty well.  The story's paper thin and some of the dialogue is near comical, but a strength is the fine casting, with Caruso perfect as a mob boss, Paget and Stewart very lovely as the ladies in Randell's life, and Tudor Owen a nice fit as the scientist trying to help him.  Ultimately, the low budget dooms the film, with stock footage taking over at the climax, but I still enjoyed it.