The Colossus Of New York (1958)

Starring John Baragrey, Mala Powers, Otto Kruger, Robert Hutton, Ross Martin
Directed by Eugene Lourie
(actor & director credits courtesy IMDB.com)

After a brilliant young scientist dies in an accident, his father preserves the brain to save his genius for the world, and works with his other son to install it into a fearsome robot body.

After several years at Universal, producing some of their biggest science fiction hits of the 1950s, William Alland took on duties at Paramount, and produced this distinctive and memorable sci-fi drama, well-directed by Eugene Lourie.  Although the film borrows more than a few themes from Frankenstein, and its focus on the absence of the young Dr. Spensser's soul after his re-creation recalls The Devil And Daniel Webster, the collection of elements in this framework is striking, especially given the form of the grotesque lumbering automaton the brain is placed into.  Kruger, for years a sinister presence in a great many films, gives the standout performance here, playing not a villain, but a determined surgeon who believes his son can continue on inventing miracles for the world, while never coming to grips with what he's done to him.  The rest of the cast service the plot well enough, and it's good to see young Charles Herbert add another 50's genre picture to his filmography.  This all leads up to a fantastic climax highlighted by John P. Fulton's striking visual effects that I won't soon forget.  One of the most unusual parts of the picture is its score by Nathan Van Cleave, using a sole piano without orchestral accompaniment.  It's a bold choice, and I'm not sure  if I agree with it, but it does ironically reflect the character of a man who's lost the sensations and relationships he once had, represented by the musical instruments left out of the film.

Doomsday Machine (1972)

Starring Bobby Van, Ruta Lee, Mala Powers, James Craig, Grant Williams
Directed by Harry Hope & Lee Sholem
(actor & director credits courtesy IMDB.com)

After U.S. authorities discover China is in possession of a doomsday weapon, they add women to the crew of a space flight to Venus, so that the human race won't die with the planet Earth.

This film offers a very good sci-fi premise, and it's unfortunate the movie's limited budget and production values can't do it justice.  The special effects are barely serviceable, and although the screenplay and the actors held my interest, this story would have likely been better off in more capable hands.  The movie's not without some fun, as when Williams' character transforms into a loony villain, and it's interesting to see future TV stars Mike Farrell and Casey Kasem pop up in small supporting roles.  However, any positives are completely overwhelmed by a horrible ending, which according to IMDB was filmed years after the rest of the film in order to finish it after production was stalled, but they can't have spent much money.