I criminali della galassia (1965)

A deranged scientist is using his employer's top-secret bio-laboratory to engage in clandestine eugenics experiments. When he starts kidnapping leading citizens for use in his twisted tests... See full summary »

Director:

Antonio Margheriti

Writers:

Ivan Reiner (original screenplay), Renato Moretti

Stars:

Tony Russel, Lisa Gastoni, Massimo Serato

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Tony Russel	...	Cmdr. Mike Halstead (as Tony Russell)
Lisa Gastoni	...	Lt. Connie Gomez
Massimo Serato	...	Mr. Nurmi
Carlo Giustini	...	Ken, Lieutenant (as Charles Justin)
Franco Nero	...	Jake, Lieutenant
Enzo Fiermonte	...	Gen. Fowler
Umberto Raho	...	Gen. Paul Maitland (as Bert Raho)
Vittorio Bonos	...	Anton Fryd, as a dwarf (as Victor Bonos)
Aldo Canti	...	(as Aldo Kant)
Franco Doria	...	(as Frank Doris)
Margherita Horowitz	...	Mrs. Fowler (as Margaret Horowitz)
Carlo Kechler	...	Werner (as Karl Mechler)
Rodolfo Lodi	...	Claridge (as Rudolph Lodin)
Renato Montalbano	...	Detective
Piero Pastore	...	(as Peter Pastor)

Storyline

A deranged scientist is using his employer's top-secret bio-laboratory to engage in clandestine eugenics experiments. When he starts kidnapping leading citizens for use in his twisted tests, it's up to rogue cop Mike Halstead to come to the rescue of all and sundry, including his lady friend Connie, who is also being held captive by the madman.

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Plot Keywords:

sequel | shrinking | mad scientist

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Taglines:

WILD is the Word For This World!

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Genres:

Sci-Fi

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

Italy

Language:

Italian

Release Date:

9 August 1967 (USA)

Also Known As:

Gamma I Quadrilogy Vol. 1

Filming Locations:

Italy

Company Credits

Production Co:

Mercury Film International, Southern Cross Feature Film Company

Technical Specs

Runtime:

93 min 94 min (TCM print)

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

This film, The War of the Planets, Il pianeta errante and La morte viene dal pianeta Aytin (the "Gamma One Quadrilogy") were all shot at the same time in order to save money.

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Goofs

When Halstead picks up the phone to take a report, there are only nine buttons on the bottom, labeled one through nine. So there is no way to dial a zero.

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Quotes

Mr. Nurmi: A vital body indicates a vibrant spirit and mind.
Lt. Connie Gomez: [taken aback] Oh yes, of course.
Mr. Nurmi: I would be enchanted to explore... your mind.

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Connections

Followed by Il pianeta errante (1966)

User Reviews

Wild Wild Movie!

"You helium head!" Quotable stuff, low-budget but endlessly entertaining 60's Italian Sci Fi....was the staple of 70's UHF "Evening Movies"-played a lot on the old Channel 27(Worcester, Mass.) 7PM evening"Early Show" movie in the mid 70's. Fortunately, they have secured a sacred place in the TCM vaults. It's wonderful to have Robert Osborne do such a terrific introduction to such a film (when hours before he may have been doing the same for CASABLANCA).

When I was young, the film was actually scary as hell in some parts, and now laughable in those same areas. Has a Jetsons-type air car chase that has to be seen to be believed. Tony Russell chews the scenery no end, and despite the inherent cheapness, you can't take your eyes off it.

The "Space Station Gamma" universe must have been a trademark of Ivan Reiner, Walter Manley and Bill Finger, because in 1968, the took their "universe" to Japan and continued it with the wonderful THE GREEN SLIME. Italian studios, I got the impression were really not that inventive with rubber monsters.