Make no mistake: "The Incredible 2-Headed Transplant" is a clunky, stupid, silly exploitation feature. But if you're into that kind of thing, the movie *does* deliver the goods - and the laughs. The actors - well, most of them - play it all incredibly straight. The special effects are, unsurprisingly, very crude. It all comes complete with one of those dopey songs that were so common to low budget fare of the 1970s. It hits the ground running with a quickly paced opening credits sequence, and builds to a hilariously unconvincing showdown in an old tunnel.
Leading actor Bruce Dern has certainly done more prestigious films, but this movie does give him a typically nutty role. Roger is a former doctor now conducting absurd experiments. Obviously he believes that two heads are better than one, and has been grafting a second head to a number of test animals. When he guns down maniacal rapist / killer Cass (Albert Cole), his demented associate Max (Berry Kroeger) gets the bright idea to put Cass's noggin on the body of the hulking but childlike Danny (seven foot four inch John Bloom), the son of Rogers' caretaker Andrew (TV horror host Larry "Seymour" Vincent). Mayhem ensues.
Adding to the fun factor is the presence of sexy Pat Priest of 'The Munsters' fame, playing Rogers' victimized wife Linda, and none other than Casey Kasem as his concerned best friend Ken. (Kasem also provides the voice of the radio announcer.) Throughout the course of this epic, Linda gets bound and gagged, caged, and carried away by the rampaging monster. Bloom is endearing, and Cole is an absolute gas (there's nothing subtle about *his* leering performance). If nothing else, "The Incredible 2-Headed Transplant" can take pride in the use of that wonderful phrase "Jekyll and Hyde joy juice".
Amusingly enough, A.I.P. recycled the same basic idea just one year later with "The Thing with Two Heads", starring Ray Milland and Rosey Grier.
Five out of 10.
Leading actor Bruce Dern has certainly done more prestigious films, but this movie does give him a typically nutty role. Roger is a former doctor now conducting absurd experiments. Obviously he believes that two heads are better than one, and has been grafting a second head to a number of test animals. When he guns down maniacal rapist / killer Cass (Albert Cole), his demented associate Max (Berry Kroeger) gets the bright idea to put Cass's noggin on the body of the hulking but childlike Danny (seven foot four inch John Bloom), the son of Rogers' caretaker Andrew (TV horror host Larry "Seymour" Vincent). Mayhem ensues.
Adding to the fun factor is the presence of sexy Pat Priest of 'The Munsters' fame, playing Rogers' victimized wife Linda, and none other than Casey Kasem as his concerned best friend Ken. (Kasem also provides the voice of the radio announcer.) Throughout the course of this epic, Linda gets bound and gagged, caged, and carried away by the rampaging monster. Bloom is endearing, and Cole is an absolute gas (there's nothing subtle about *his* leering performance). If nothing else, "The Incredible 2-Headed Transplant" can take pride in the use of that wonderful phrase "Jekyll and Hyde joy juice".
Amusingly enough, A.I.P. recycled the same basic idea just one year later with "The Thing with Two Heads", starring Ray Milland and Rosey Grier.
Five out of 10.