The Lady and the Monster (1944)

User Rating:

4.7/10   

Director:

George Sherman

Writers:

Frederick Kohner (writer)
Dane Lussier (writer)

Release Date:

17 April 1944 (USA)

Genre:

Horror | Sci-Fi | Thriller

Tagline:

A picture from out of this world!

Plot:

A millionaire's brain is preserved after his death, and telepathically begins to take control of those around him. |

Plot Keywords:

Brain | Brain In Tank | Disembodied Brain | Telepathy | Mind Control

Cast

Vera Ralston	...	Janice Farrell (as Vera Hruba Ralston)
Richard Arlen	...	Patrick Cory
Erich von Stroheim	...	Prof. Franz Mueller
Helen Vinson	...	Chloe Donovan
Mary Nash	...	Mrs. Fame, the housekeeper
Sidney Blackmer	...	Eugene Fulton
Janet Martin	...	Singer
William Henry	...	Roger Collins
Charles Cane	...	Grimes
Juanita Quigley	...	Mary Lou
Josephine Dillon	...	Mary Lou's Grandmother
Antonio Triana	...	Himself (Dancer)
Lola Montes	...	Herself (Dancer)

Also Known As:

Monster & Tiger Man (USA) (reissue title)
The Green Monster (USA) (working title)
The Lady and the Doctor (UK)
Tiger Man (USA) (reissue title)

Runtime:

86 min | USA:67 min (1949 re-release)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Sweden:15

Company:

Republic Pictures (I)

Quotes:

Prof. Franz Mueller: What do I know about the brain itself? Nothing. Can it think? Remember after its body is dead? Could it be made to feel, to hear perhaps, or to express itself in some way? To contact the living?

Movie Connections:

Featured in "Creature Features: House of Dracula/The Lady and the Monster (#1.22)" (1971)

Not as good as the 1953 version, but still an entertaining forties thriller.

THE LADY AND THE MONSTER is the first version of Curt Siodmak's often filmed novel "Donovan's Brain". This first version is largely forgotten, and those that recall it usually dis-miss it as inferior to the 1953 version DONOVAN'S BRAIN with Lew Ayres. While the 1953 version is superior in almost every way, THE LADY AND THE MONSTER is still an entertaining, atmospheric 1940's thriller.

The plot is basically the same, but in this version the living brain of Donovan possesses the mind of scientist Richard Arlen to clear his illegitimate son who has been wrongly convicted of murder. The brain also wants to get revenge on his daughter, whom is just as money hungry and ruthless as Donovan was in "life." Even though Donovan's goals are good, his disembodied brain is still ruthless; he orders the possessed Arlen to kill a girl who gave false testimony at his son's trial.

We can always tell when Donovan is about to possess Arlen, the lighting and Arlen's make-up changes. The 1953 version employed no such tricks, and relied entirely on the acting skills of Lew Ayers. (See my entry on that version). Erich Von Stroheim plays the elder scientist, and as with any film he was in, he was always a commanding presence. There are hints of him having an unhealthy infatuation with Vera Ralston, but this doesn't lead anywhere.

Overall, LADY AND THE MONSTER isn't as good as the later 1953 version, but it is still a decent 1940's horror thriller.