Discuss in Boards More at IMDb Pro Add to My Movies Update Data
Quicklinks
Top Links
trailers and videosfull cast and crewtriviaofficial sitesmemorable quotesOverview
main detailscombined detailsfull cast and crewcompany creditstv scheduleAwards & Reviews
user commentsexternal reviewsnewsgroup reviewsawardsuser ratingsparents guiderecommendationsmessage boardPlot & Quotes
plot summarysynopsisplot keywordsAmazon.com summarymemorable quotesFun Stuff
triviagoofssoundtrack listingcrazy creditsalternate versionsmovie connectionsFAQOther Info
merchandising linksbox office/businessrelease datesfilming locationstechnical specslaserdisc detailsDVD detailsliterature listingsNewsDeskPromotional
taglines trailers and videos posters photo galleryExternal Links
showtimesofficial sitesmiscellaneousphotographssound clipsvideo clipsDonovan's Brain (1953) More at IMDbPro »
Overview
User Rating:
Director:
Writers:
Curt Siodmak (novel)
Hugh Brooke (adaptation)
more
Release Date:
30 September 1953 (USA) more
Plot:
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... more | add synopsis
User Comments:
Excellent and different 50's sci fi more (22 total)
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 |
Additional Details
Parents Guide:
Runtime:
83 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Aspect Ratio:
1.37 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Mono (Western Electric Recording)
Certification:
Finland:K-16 | USA:Approved (PCA #16420)
Company:
Fun Stuff
Trivia:
The sign on the door of the attorney's office includes a "B. Chapman, CPA." Ben Chapman was the film's production supervisor. more
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.
more
Movie Connections:
Featured in Child's Play (1988) more
FAQ
This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.more (22 total)
Message Boards
Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Donovan's Brain (1953)Recommendations
|
|
|
|
|
| The Brain | The Devil Commands | The Lady and the Monster | Frankenstein | The Omega Man |
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
Related Links
| Full cast and crew | Company credits | External reviews |
| IMDb Sci-Fi section | IMDb USA section | Add this title to MyMovies |

Donovan's Brain is the best version of this story I have seen and makes a change from the usual 50's sci fi of giant monsters and alien invasions.
A mad Doctor who experiments trying to keep brains from monkeys alive finally achieves this after several attempts. The same day, a fatality from a car crash, a millionaire (Mr Donovan) is brought in and he decides to use this human brain to see if he can do the same. He succeeds, but gradually, the brain takes over his mind and it gets bigger. This leads to murder. Just as the Doctor is trying to murder his wife during a thunderstorm, lightning strikes their house and this "kills" the brain and burns it. The doctor and his wife are OK.
A British version of this story followed in 1962, but this is the best version.
The movie stars Dr Kildare actor Lew Ayres, future First Lady and Ronald Reagan's widow Nancy Davis and Gene Evans (The Giant Behemoth).
I found this movie very enjoyable and is worth seeking out.
Rating: 4 stars out of 5.