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.
Showing posts with label Robert Hutton. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Robert Hutton. Show all posts
Wednesday, May 16, 2018
Tuesday, August 18, 2015
Invisible Invaders (1959)
Starring John Agar, Jean Byron, Philip Tonge, Robert Hutton, John Carradine
Directed by Edward L. Cahn
(actor & director credits courtesy IMDB.com)
Invisible aliens from the moon with the power to possess the bodies of the dead launch an invasion of Earth, while a nuclear scientist labors to find a defense against their attacks.
Although the story borders on the ludicrous, and the alien attacks are primarily composed of a generous sampling of stock footage, this film has been a long-time favorite of mine, with distinguished actors Tonge and Carradine lending it a certain sense of credibility despite the low-budget trappings. Although the special effects are low budget as well, they're unique and have a certain charm, as when the invisible creatures are represented by mounds of earth moving on their own accompanied by fearsome growls on the soundtrack. As long as you don't take the film too seriously, you'll have a good time.
Directed by Edward L. Cahn
(actor & director credits courtesy IMDB.com)
Invisible aliens from the moon with the power to possess the bodies of the dead launch an invasion of Earth, while a nuclear scientist labors to find a defense against their attacks.
Although the story borders on the ludicrous, and the alien attacks are primarily composed of a generous sampling of stock footage, this film has been a long-time favorite of mine, with distinguished actors Tonge and Carradine lending it a certain sense of credibility despite the low-budget trappings. Although the special effects are low budget as well, they're unique and have a certain charm, as when the invisible creatures are represented by mounds of earth moving on their own accompanied by fearsome growls on the soundtrack. As long as you don't take the film too seriously, you'll have a good time.
Thursday, June 6, 2013
They Came From Beyond Space (1967)
Starring Robert Hutton, Jennifer Jayne, Zia Mohyeddin, Bernard Kay, Michael Gough
Directed by Freddie Francis
(actor & director credits courtesy IMDB.com)
When a team of scientists investigate a group of meteorites that landed on Earth, their bodies are taken over by alien minds that direct them to construct a secret installation.
Based on a novel by Joseph Millard called "The Gods Hate Kansas," the setting is updated for this film to Cornwall, England making that title obsolete. The plot is very reminiscent of the British television serial Quatermass 2, which was also made into a film with the same title, both of which are better than this movie. There are some effective scenes in which the aliens take control of their human bodies and a plague spreads from one victim to another, effectively directed by Francis. I also liked Hutton in the lead role, but the film is rather flatly photographed and unfortunately has a low-budget look and feel the filmmakers can't overcome.
Directed by Freddie Francis
(actor & director credits courtesy IMDB.com)
When a team of scientists investigate a group of meteorites that landed on Earth, their bodies are taken over by alien minds that direct them to construct a secret installation.
Based on a novel by Joseph Millard called "The Gods Hate Kansas," the setting is updated for this film to Cornwall, England making that title obsolete. The plot is very reminiscent of the British television serial Quatermass 2, which was also made into a film with the same title, both of which are better than this movie. There are some effective scenes in which the aliens take control of their human bodies and a plague spreads from one victim to another, effectively directed by Francis. I also liked Hutton in the lead role, but the film is rather flatly photographed and unfortunately has a low-budget look and feel the filmmakers can't overcome.
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