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:

Based on Scientific Facts!

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Genres:

Crime | Horror | Sci-Fi | Thriller

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Certificate:

Approved

Did You Know?

Trivia

Sony Pictures Home Entertainment released the film on DVD in October 2007 as part of the two-disc, four-film set Icons of Horror Collection: Sam Katzman, along with three other films produced by Katzman: The Werewolf (1956), The Giant Claw (1957) and Zombies of Mora Tau (1957).

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Goofs

Despite knowing how the creatures are controlled (having seen the X-rays) and that the only way to stop them is to sever the electrical connections, Walker never tells the cops to aim for the head.

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Quotes

Dr. Chet Walker: [after his wife has asked if it is all right to leave their 6 year old daughter playing alone outside while monsters are murdering people in the streets] There seems to be some sort of definite pattern. Can't put my finger on it, but I do know that Hennessey and McGraw were killed for a reason.
Joyce Walker: Well, it's all right then?
Dr. Chet Walker: Well, for a while. I don't think they've gotten around to indiscriminate killings yet.

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Connections

Featured in Svengoolie: Creature with the Atom Brain (2020)

User Reviews

A fifties "B" classic!

I first saw this film when I was about twelve years old on T.V., and at the time I didn't think it was anything special. I saw it again recently for the first time thanks to modern miracle of video. I must admit that I remember many scenes from this minor little picture more vividly than much better films I saw as a kid: atomized Karl "Killer" Davis busting into a room to break the back of a gangster, the scene where Richard Denning discovers his partner has become a zombie, and the films climax where an army of creatures with atom brains do battle with the police. Oh! and I almost forgot, the scene where walking dead "Uncle Dave" tears Richard Denning's daughters doll to shreds. In retrospect, the scene makes little sense, but it came as quite a shock.

Most of the cast is acceptable. Edward L. Cahn's direction is perfunctory but he keeps things moving. Seen today by younger audiences influenced by MST3K or cheaply cynical critics like John Stanley and Randy Dreyfus, CREATURE WITH THE ATOM BRAIN probably looks pretty bad. However, if one views this film in the right frame of mind, it is very entertaining.

Apparently CREATURE WITH ATOM BRAIN has effected a lot of people over the years. Clips from this film have turned up on few TV shows and movies. Roky Erikson (13 Floor Elevators) wrote and titled a song about this movie on his album "The Evil One". He even incorporated lines from the movie in his song "Creature With The Atom Brain."

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