Creature with the Atom Brain (1955)

An ex-Nazi mad scientist uses radio-controlled atomic-powered zombies in his quest to help an exiled American gangster return to power.

Director:

Edward L. Cahn

Writers:

Curt Siodmak (story), Curt Siodmak (screenplay)

Stars:

Richard Denning, Angela Stevens, S. John Launer

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Richard Denning	...	Dr. Chet Walker
Angela Stevens	...	Joyce Walker
S. John Launer	...	Capt. Dave Harris
Michael Granger	...	Frank Buchanan
Gregory Gaye	...	Dr. Wilhelm Steigg (as Gregory Gay)
Linda Bennett	...	Penny Walker
Tristram Coffin	...	Dist. Atty. MacGraw
Harry Lauter	...	Reporter #1
Larry J. Blake	...	Reporter #2 (as Larry Blake)
Charles Evans	...	Chief Camden
Pierre Watkin	...	Mayor Bremer

Storyline

Several years earlier gangster Frank Buchanan was deported to his native Italy through the efforts of law enforcement authorities and rival gangsters who inform on him. While in Europe he meets scientist Wilhelm Steigg, who has perfected a method of reanimating dead people and controlling their behavior with oral commands. Buchanan underwrites Steigg's experiments and uses his technology to wreak revenge on his enemies. Unfortunately radioactive poisoning is a by-product of the process, and authorities use radiation detecting devices like Geiger counters to pinpoint the source of the sinister plot.

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Plot Keywords:

reanimated corpse | zombie | psychotronic film | murder | mad scientist | 

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Taglines:

Shock-Full of Thrills!

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Genres:

Crime | Horror | Sci-Fi | Thriller

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Certificate:

Approved

Did You Know?

Trivia

The film uses the old Columbia Ranch back lot in Burbank (CA), now named the Warner Brothers Ranch, extensively filming on its residential and city street sets. The shot showing "Monroe Air Force Base" utilized the ranch's entrance with its two gate houses.

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Goofs

The creatures supposedly don't have any memory of their living existence yet they know how to drive a car.

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Quotes

Dist. Atty. MacGraw: What are you doing in here?
Frank Buchanan: I'm from Buchanan. If you know that, you know why I'm here.
Frank Buchanan: [Rips away car steering wheel]
Frank Buchanan: It's no use, MacGraw. I said I would live to see you die. I am watching you now...

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Connections

Referenced in Svengoolie: Attack of the 50 Foot Woman (2019)

User Reviews

Mindless entertainment.

I'm glad that Skin-amax aired this monster movie from the 50's. In my opinion, this is not your typical cheesy b-movie material for MSTK3000 because the plot is surprisingly good and the atmosphere is beyond cartoonish. Well, you can't ask for spectacular f/x (or even decent ones) but this movie delivers.

The acting is beyond regular. The cinematography and the plot are the strong points of this b-movie. I highly recommend it for fans of old monster movies.

The effort deserves a mention mainly because the plot is well crafted and actually delivers some chills. Not in the likes of "The Elephant Man" but still it makes you imagine scary things.

This is a b-movie that deserves some little respect.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

July 1955 (USA)

Also Known As:

Le tueur au cerveau atomique

Filming Locations:

Warner Brothers Ranch, Verdugo Ave. and Pass Avenue, Burbank, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Clover Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

69 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Recording)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1