The Brain Eaters (1958)

Strange things are happening in Riverdale, Illinois. A huge, seemingly alien structure has been found jutting out of the earth. Sent to investigate the origin of the mysterious object, ... See full summary »

Director:

Bruno VeSota

Writer:

Gordon Urquhart (screenplay)

Stars:

Ed Nelson, Alan Jay Factor, Cornelius Keefe

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Ed Nelson	...	Dr. Paul Kettering (as Edwin Nelson)
Alan Jay Factor	...	Glenn Cameron (as Alan Frost)
Cornelius Keefe	...	Senator Walter K. Powers (as Jack Hill)
Joanna Lee	...	Alice Summers
Jody Fair	...	Elaine Cameron
David Hughes	...	Dr. Wyler
Robert Ball	...	Dan Walker
Greigh Phillips	...	Sheriff
Orville Sherman	...	Mayor Cameron
Leonard Nimoy	...	Professor Cole (as Leonard Nemoy)
Doug Banks	...	Doctor
Henry Randolph	...	Telegrapher
Saul Bronson	...	Prof. Helsingman

Storyline

Strange things are happening in Riverdale, Illinois. A huge, seemingly alien structure has been found jutting out of the earth. Sent to investigate the origin of the mysterious object, Senator Walter Powers discovers that parasites from the center of the earth have infiltrated the town, taking control of the authorities and workers, making communication with the outside world impossible, and leaving the responsibility of stopping the invasion up to Powers and a small group of free individuals.

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Plot Keywords:

mysterious object | parasite | alien | electrocution | sheriff | 

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Taglines:

Crawling, Slimy Things Terror-Bent on Destroying the World!

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Genres:

Sci-Fi | Horror

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

September 1958 (USA)

Also Known As:

Keepers of the Earth

Filming Locations:

Pomona, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$30,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

American International Pictures (AIP), Corinthian Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

60 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White

Did You Know?

Trivia

The producers of this movie were sued by Robert A. Heinlein, who claimed the plot stole several elements of his novel, "The Puppet Masters". The suit was settled out of court.

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Goofs

When Dr. Kettering fires the pistol into the craft's tunnel, it demonstrates that the bullet ricochets throughout. However, what is heard is not just the ricochet but also the sound of several gunshots though the gun was discharged only once.

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Quotes

Senator Walter K. Powers: ...Or my name isn't Walter K. Powers!

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Connections

Spoofed in Matinee (1993)

User Reviews

Much Better Than Rated

A strange seemingly destructible cone-shaped object is found in the town of Riverdale, Illinois. This comes following reports of strange lights in the sky, mysterious deaths and disappearances. Senator Walter K. Powers is sent to investigate and meets the town's scientific research team of Dr. Kettering & Dr. Wyler. Eventually they stumble upon the horrible and unlikely truth of what is the cause behind all of this. This film starts out a bit slow and is hampered by a low-budget but it is however a superb attempt to rise above the limitations of budget in order to tell a fascinating story. Scenes shot through the eyes of the Brain Eaters and featuring the Brain Eaters themselves are surprisingly well done. Really I feel this film is actually quite good.