Indestructible Man (1956)

Scientific experiments accidentally revive an executed criminal and make him impervious to harm, prompting him to seek revenge on his former partners.

Director:

Jack Pollexfen

Writers:

Vy Russell (original screenplay), Sue Dwiggins (original screenplay)

Stars:

Lon Chaney Jr., Max Showalter, Marian Carr

Cast

Cast overview:
Lon Chaney Jr.	...	The Butcher - Charles Benton (as Lon Chaney)
Max Showalter	...	Police Lt. Richard 'Dick' Chasen (as Casey Adams)
Marian Carr	...	Eva Martin (as Marion Carr)
Ross Elliott	...	Paul Lowe, Attorney
Stuart Randall	...	Police Capt. John Lauder
Ken Terrell	...	Joe Marcellia (as Kenneth Terrell)
Marjorie Stapp	...	Hysterical Young Woman
Robert Shayne	...	Prof. Bradshaw
Peggy Maley	...	Francine - Blonde Stripper
Robert Foulk	...	Harry - Bar Owner
Reita Green	...	Carney's 'Bait' (as Rita Green)
Roy Engel	...	Desk Sergeant (as Roy Engle)
Madge Cleveland	...	Old Frump in Bar

Storyline

"Butcher" Benton goes to his death in the state prison, cursing the three men who double-crossed him following an armored-car hold-up; "Squeamy" Ellis, Joe Marcelli and Paul Lowe, his attorney and leader of the gang. He vows to return and kill them and dies without revealing the location of the stolen money. Detective Chasen is determined to keep working on the case until the stolen loot is recovered. Benton's body is taken to Professor Bradshaw and his assistant for experimentation, and they manage to restore him to life, making him practically indestructible in the process. He takes off after the three men, getting rid of everybody who stands in his way. He is impervious to police bullets. He kills Ellis and Marcelli, while Lowe seeks police protection. Benton takes to the sewers to recover the hidden loot and the police are powerless to stop him.

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Plot Keywords:

police | professor | gang | death | stolen money | 

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Taglines:

The scream that shocks the screen with 300,000 volts of horror! Inhuman! Invincible! Inescapable!

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Genres:

Crime | Horror | Sci-Fi | Thriller

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

25 March 1956 (USA)

Also Known As:

Der Würger von Sing-Sing

Filming Locations:

3rd Street Tunnel Stairway, Downtown, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

C.G.K. Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

72 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Released on a double bill with "Invasion of the Body Snatchers" (1956)

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Goofs

In one scene Lt John Lauder is addressing Lt "Dick" Chasen, whom he refers to as "Mike".

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Quotes

Paul Lowe, Attorney: Well that's it, Butcher. The evidence against you is so strong, the governor turned down your appeal.
Charles 'Butcher' Benton: You're a rotten liar, Lowe. You started railroading me from the beginning of the trial. And now you're still trying to throw me curves.
Paul Lowe, Attorney: Look, I don't blame you for being edgy but get this straight. I didn't doublecross you. I never worked harder for a client.
Charles 'Butcher' Benton: You mean you never worked harder for a client to get him sentenced.
Paul Lowe, Attorney: You're a fool, Butcher. If you hadn't tried to doublecross Squeamy ...
[...]

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Connections

Referenced in Mystery Science Theatre 3000: The Incredible Melting Man (1996)

User Reviews

Gritty, Nostalgic Sci-Fi

This film is to me what "The Wizard of Oz" is to most others--a warm fuzzy. Having grown up around Los Angeles, I thought this film was based on a true story when I first saw it as a kid. It has a gritty, real-time feel to it, and Casey Adams' narration is obviously based on Jack Webb's for "Dragnet." In fact, this film feels like an Outer Limits version of a Dragnet episode. Very similar in feel to "Kiss Me Deadly," another '50s film shot in similar locations. A great time capsule of the fading LA of the '50s. This film is almost universally panned, but the low budget and fairly tight script actually contribute to its effectiveness.