The Brain That Wouldn't Die (1962)

Director:

Joseph Green

Writers:

Rex Carlton (original story)
Joseph Green (original story)

Release Date:

10 August 1962 (USA)

Genre:

Horror | Sci-Fi

Tagline:

Alive... without a body... fed by an unspeakable horror from hell!

Plot:

A doctor experimenting with transplant techniques keeps his girlfriend's head alive when she is decapitated in a car crash, then goes hunting for a new body.

Plot Keywords:

Head | Laboratory | Transplantation | Doctor | Car Accident

Cast

Jason Evers	...	Dr. Bill Cortner (as Herb Evers)
Virginia Leith	...	Jan Compton / Jan in the Pan
Leslie Daniels	...	Kurt
Adele Lamont	...	Doris Powell
Bonnie Sharie	...	Blonde Stripper
Paula Maurice	...	Brunet Stripper
Marilyn Hanold	...	Peggy Howard (as Marlyn Hanold)
Bruce Brighton	...	Dr. Cortner
Arny Freeman	...	Photographer
Fred Martin	...	Medical Assistant
Lola Mason	...	Donna Williams
Doris Brent	...	Nurse
Bruce Kerr	...	Beauty Contest M.C.
Audrey Devereal	...	Jeannie Reynolds
Eddie Carmel	...	Monster

Also Known As:

The Head That Wouldn't Die

Runtime:

82 min (uncut version) | USA:70 min (TCM print)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Canada:PG (Ontario) | Australia:R | UK:R | USA:Unrated | Canada:G (Quebec)

Filming Locations:

Tarrytown, New York, USA

Company:

Rex Carlton Productions

Trivia:

Filmed in 1959 but, due to various legal and censorship problems, not released until 1962.

Goofs:

Continuity: After Kurt has his arm ripped off by the beast in the closet he stumbles through the house, smearing blood on everything, including the chair in the entryway. However, when the doctor is bringing in his newest "patient" she sits in this chair, which is now entirely free of blood.

Quotes:

Dr. Cortner: The Superintendent had it out with me. He thinks it's you who's been stealing those limbs from the amputee operations.
Dr. Bill Cortner: So what if it is?

Movie Connections:

Featured in Schlock! The Secret History of American Movies (2001)

Soundtrack:

The Web

Brainless Exercise In Low Grade Schlock

Infamous grade Z cheapie is not quite as bad as any of Ed Wood's 'masterpieces' but it is dreadful enough to be considered among the 'great bad films' of the American cinema. The filmmakers and actors take the making of the film very seriously. Naturally, because no one seems to be aware of its cringe-inducing awfulness, the movie is filled with lots of unintentionally hilarious moments. Fans of bad cinema will feel in a perfect fluster of excitement at the sight of the talking head on the table. It is a bit too talky, though. And the story needed one of those crazy scientists that Bela Lugosi and Lionel Atwill played so well. But it is an entertaining film if you like these kinds of movies. Best thing about the film is the 'thing' behind the door (!). If you are a fan of bad movies, this is mandatory viewing.