Donovan's Brain (1953)

Yet another version of Curt Siodmak's novel about an honest scientist who keeps the brain of a ruthless dead millionaire (Donovan) alive in a tank. Donovan manages to impose his powerful ... See full summary »

Director:

Felix E. Feist

Writers:

Curt Siodmak (novel), Hugh Brooke (adaptation),

Stars:

Lew Ayres, Gene Evans, Nancy Davis

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Lew Ayres	...	Dr. Patrick J. Cory
Gene Evans	...	Dr. Frank Schratt
Nancy Davis	...	Janice Cory
Steve Brodie	...	Herbie Yocum
Tom Powers	...	Donovan's Washington Advisor
Lisa Howard	...	Chloe Donovan (as Lisa K. Howard)
James Anderson	...	Chief Tuttle (as Kyle James)
Victor Sutherland	...	Nathaniel Fuller
Michael Colgan	...	Tom Donovan
Peter Adams	...	Mr. Webster
Harlan Warde	...	Treasury Agent Brooke
Shimen Ruskin	...	Tailor

Storyline

Yet another version of Curt Siodmak's novel about an honest scientist who keeps the brain of a ruthless dead millionaire (Donovan) alive in a tank. Donovan manages to impose his powerful will on the scientist, and uses him to murder his enemies.

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Plot Keywords:

brain | murder | doctor | car accident | brain in a tank | 

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Genres:

Sci-Fi | Horror

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Official Sites:

MGM Studios [us]

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

30 September 1953 (USA)

Also Known As:

Donovans Hirn

Filming Locations:

Motion Picture Center Studios, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Dowling Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

83 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Recording)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The sign on the door of the attorney's office includes a "B. Chapman, CPA." Ben Chapman was the film's production supervisor.

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Goofs

At one point, Frank (Gene Evans) states "Pat made that recording while the brain was destroying Yocum." However, in the final edited version of the movie, Pat (Dr. Cory, played by Lew Ayres) makes his recording several days before Yocum is killed.

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Quotes

Dr. Patrick J. Cory: Perhaps I'll cure Frank and every other alcoholic if I can solve the mystery of Donovan's Brain. I think it's a matter of chemistry how the brain thinks. The problem is to find out what chemical combinations are responsible for success... failure... happiness... misery.
Janice Cory: Sounds impossible.
Dr. Patrick J. Cory: But it is not. It can't be. There has to be a way.

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Connections

Featured in The Man with Two Brains (1983)

User Reviews

The best version of Curt Siodmak's often filmed novel.

This film is one of my favorite 1950's horror/science fiction movies. I first saw this film on T.V. when I was about four and five years old, and it thrilled me then and I still enjoy it today. The story based on Curt Siodmak's novel was previously filmed in 1942 as LADY AND THE MONSTER. While that version has some virtues, the overall result was mediocre. It was filmed again 1962 as THE BRAIN with several character name changes and different plot elements. I last saw that version in 1970's. While I recall it being not bad, I don't remember it being as good as this version.

DONOVAN'S BRAIN is the best version primarily due the good performance of Lew Ayers as the possessed Dr. Cory with good support from Gene Evans. When I first saw this film again after many years I was impressed by Lew Ayers. When the evil brain of Donovan possesses Dr. Cory and he becomes Donovan, I had to remind myself that it was Ayers playing both "minds". This was done entirely by Ayers; the film employs no make-up or lighting tricks (as the 1942 version does) to create the different minds in the same body. Gene Evans lends good support as Cory's alcoholic but sympathetic doctor assistant. Steve Brodie is also good as the blackmailing reporter, but his role is somewhat shoehorned into the plot. He appears merely as someone for Cory as Donovan to knock off, and once he is gone, his blackmail threats are forgotten. However the scene's with Brodie are good. Note that when he confronts Cory/Donovan for a blackmail payment, he is wearing a worn out suit. When he returns for another payment, he shows up in a very expensive looking suit! The film is loaded with subtle touches like that.