Creature with the Atom Brain (1955)

Director:

Edward L. Cahn

Writer:

Curt Siodmak (writer)

Release Date:

July 1955 (USA)

Genre:

Crime | Horror | Sci-Fi | Thriller

Tagline:

He Comes from Beyond the Grave!

Plot:

An ex-Nazi mad scientist uses radio-controlled atomic-powered zombies in his quest to help an exiled American gangster return to power.

Plot Keywords:

Gangster | Scientist | Revenge | Geiger Counter | Ex Nazi

Cast

Richard Denning	...	Dr. Chet Walker
Angela Stevens	...	Joyce Walker
S. John Launer	...	Capt. Dave Harris
Michael Granger	...	Frank Buchanan
Gregory Gaye	...	Dr. Wilhelm Steigg (as Gregory Gay)
Linda Bennett	...	Penny Walker
Tristram Coffin	...	Dist. Atty. MacGraw
Harry Lauter	...	Reporter #1
Larry J. Blake	...	Reporter #2 (as Larry Blake)
Charles Evans	...	Chief Camden
Pierre Watkin	...	Mayor Bremer

Runtime:

69 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Finland:(Banned) (1955) | USA:Unrated | Sweden:(Banned)

Filming Locations:

Warner Brothers Ranch, Verdugo Ave. and Pass Avenue, Burbank, California, USA

Company:

Clover Productions

Trivia:

Columbia booked this across the United States as a standard double bill with IT CAME FROM BENEATH THE SEA.

Goofs:

Continuity: When Dave goes to Chet's home, we see a name tag with 'Chet Walker' just above the doorbell. It's only there as he rings the doorbell. All other shots show a plain doorbell with no tag.

Quotes:

Frank Buchanan: Steigg, you may be a crackpot, but you are also a genius!

Movie Connections:

Featured in Monsterama Sci-Fi Late Night Creature Feature Show Vol. 1 (1996) (V)

Another excellent story from Curt Siodmak

Released by Columbia Pictures in 1955 and without trying to mention it's low budget format, Creature with the Atom Brain is quite a sophisticated attempt to resurrect the dead using atomic energy and electronic circuitry. The idea of using a TV screen to receive images from the creatures "eyes" is fantastic. This movie reminds me of fast paced comic book story with a taste of film noir. Richard Denning,the star of this film, made a number science fiction movies in the 1950's before coming over to TV as the governor of Hawaii in "Hawaii 5-0." As far as I know, this movie is not available on the market as a retail product. You can, however, probably get it from a private collector.I think sci-fi fans will enjoy it!