The Thing with Two Heads (1972)

Director:

Lee Frost

Writers:

Lee Frost (screenplay) &
Wes Bishop (screenplay) ...
(more)

Release Date:

19 July 1972 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Horror | Sci-Fi

Tagline:

They transplanted a white bigot's head on a soul brother's body!

Plot:

A rich but racist man is dying and hatches an elaborate scheme for transplanting his head onto another man's body...

Plot Keywords:

African American | Head Transplant | Prejudice | Disembodied Head | Police

Cast

Ray Milland	...	Maxwell Kirshner
Roosevelt Grier	...	Jack Moss (as 'Rosey' Grier)
Don Marshall	...	Dr. Fred Williams
Roger Perry	...	Dr. Philip Desmond
Chelsea Brown	...	Lila
Kathrine Baumann	...	Patricia (as Kathy Baumann)
John Dullaghan	...	Thomas
John Bliss	...	Donald
Bruce Kimball	...	Police Lieutenant
Jane Kellem	...	Miss Mullen
Lee Frost	...	Sergeant Hacker
Wes Bishop	...	Dr. Smith
Roger Gentry	...	Police Sergeant
Britt Nilsson	...	Nurse
Rick Baker	...	Gorilla
Phil Hoover	...	Policeman
Rod Steele	...	Medical Salesman
Michael Viner	...	Prison Guard
William Smith	...	Hysterical Condemned Man
Jerry Butler	...	Prison Guard
George E. Carey	...	Mitch
Tommy Cook	...	Priest
Albert Zugsmith	...	Cameo Appearance
Dick Whittington	...	TV Newscaster
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Ron Gans	...	Reporter in Tan Coat (uncredited)
Joan Prather	...	Nurse (uncredited)
Ray Sebastian	...	Policeman in Car 219 (uncredited)

Directed by
Lee Frost

Writing credits
Lee Frost		(screenplay) &
Wes Bishop		(screenplay) and
James Gordon White		(screenplay)
Lee Frost		(story) and
Wes Bishop		(story)

Produced by
Wes Bishop	....	producer
John Lawrence	....	executive producer

Original Music by
Robert O. Ragland

Cinematography by
Jack Steely

Production Management
Roger Gentry	....	production manager

Sound Department
George Porter	....	sound re-recording mixer
Edward Schryver	....	post-production sound supervisor
Clark Will	....	production sound

Special Effects by
Gail Brown	....	head re-creator: Mr. Milland and Mr. Grier
Thomas R. Burman	....	head re-creator: Mr. Milland and Mr. Grier (as Tom Burman)
Pete Peterson	....	head re-creator: Mr. Milland and Mr. Grier
Charles H. Schram	....	head re-creator: Mr. Milland and Mr. Grier (as Charles Schram)
Daniel C. Striepeke	....	head re-creator: Mr. Milland and Mr. Grier (as Dan Striepeke)
James Gordon White	....	head re-creator: Mr. Milland and Mr. Grier (as James White)
Rick Baker	....	special effects (uncredited)

Stunts
Bud Ekins	....	stunts (as 'Bud' Ekins)
Paul Nuckles	....	stunt coordinator
Dick Durock	....	stunts (uncredited)
Gary McLarty	....	stunts (uncredited)

Camera and Electrical Department
Jerry Deats	....	key grip
Charles Minsky	....	assistant camera (as Chuck Minsky)
Edward Schryver	....	assistant camera
Larry Wallace	....	electrician

Editorial Department
Ed Forsyth	....	editorial supervisor

Music Department
David Angel	....	composer: additional music
David Angel	....	music arranger
Porter Jordan	....	composer: additional music
Porter Jordan	....	music arranger
Michael Viner	....	music producer
Michael Viner	....	music supervisor
Michael Viner	....	musical director

Transportation Department
Chris Haynes	....	driver (uncredited)

Other crew
Samuel Z. Arkoff	....	presenter
Cadvan Griffiths	....	medical advisor (as Dr. Cadvan Griffiths)
Fred Nyquist	....	assistant to producer
David Sheldon	....	production executive
Rod Steele	....	medical advisor

Production Companies

• Saber Productions

Distributors

• American International Pictures (AIP) (1972) (USA) (theatrical)
• Astral Films (1972) (Canada) (theatrical)
• Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS) (1974) (USA) (TV) (original airing)
• MGM/UA Home Entertainment (DVD)
• Video Screams (199?) (USA) (VHS)
• World Beyond Video (video)

Other Companies

• Chrysler Corporation  vehicles courtesy of
• Deluxe  prints
• Modern Film Effects  optical effects and titles
• Ryder Sound Services  sound

Also Known As:

Runtime:

93 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Finland:K-16 | USA:PG

Company:

Saber Productions

Goofs:

Crew or equipment visible: During the big police-car/motorcycle chase, we see a POV shot from the motorcycle. The stunt driver (who looks nothing like any of the characters on the bike) can be seen on the right side of the screen with the camera shooting over his left shoulder.

Quotes:

Dr. Maxwell Kirshner:What the hell is the matter with you, Moss? Get back to bed!
Jack Moss:You jive.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "The Simpsons: Treehouse of Horror XVI (#17.4)" (2005)

Soundtrack:

Oh Happy Day

Two Heads Are Better Than One.......Maybe?

I've seen movies far worse than this offering about a white bigot's head transplanted to a soul brother's body. Yes, indeed the story is ridiculous. Yes, every scene with the "creature" either looks like Rosey Grier with a plastic head on him or Ray Milland uncomfortably close for close-ups. But the film has a certain charm that is undeniable, due in large part to its dated 70's style, its corny almost pathetic dialogue, its incredibly cheap sets and special effects, and of course the entire premise about this two headed monstrosity. Milland and Grier manage to keep straight faces throughout the picture, as do the other thespians concerned. No small feat believe me! The chase scene of 14 police cars chasing the two headed man on a motor bike(which last over 15 minutes) is the centerpiece of the film and sets the mood, pace, and credibility of the film. If you get a chance, see this film and its trailer which is almost as good.