Cult of the Cobra (1955)

American G.I.s who trespass on a Hindu ceremony are hunted down by a beautiful woman who has the power to transform herself into a cobra.

Director:

Francis D. Lyon

Writers:

Jerry Davis (story), Jerry Davis (screenplay)

Stars:

Faith Domergue, Richard Long, Marshall Thompson

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Faith Domergue	...	Lisa Moya
Richard Long	...	Paul Able
Marshall Thompson	...	Tom Markel
Kathleen Hughes	...	Julia Thompson
William Reynolds	...	Pete Norton
Jack Kelly	...	Carl Turner
Myrna Hansen	...	Marian Sheehan
David Janssen	...	Rico Nardi
Leonard Strong	...	Daru
James Dobson	...	Cpl. Nick Hommel
Walter Coy	...	Police Inspector
Carl Carlsson	...	Cult Dancer (as The Carlssons)
Ruth Carlsson	...	Cult Dancer (as The Carlssons)
Olan Soule	...	Major Martin Fielding
Helen Wallace	...	Mrs. Webber

Storyline

While stationed in Asia, six American G.I.'s witness the secret ritual of Lamians (worshipers of women who can change into serpents). When discovered by the cult, the High Lamian Priest vows that "the Cobra Goddess will avenge herself". Once back in the United States, a mysterious woman enters into their lives and accidents begin to happen. The shadow of a cobra is seen just before each death.

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Plot Keywords:

cobra | 1940s | apartment | snake charmer | car accident | 

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Taglines:

The fangs of the Snake Goddess will PIERCE YOUR FLESH!

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Genres:

Fantasy | Horror

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

5 August 1955 (Finland)

Also Known As:

Cult of the Serpent

Filming Locations:

Universal Studios - 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Universal International Pictures (UI)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

82 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Recording)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Richard Long (Paul Able) and Marshall Thompson (Tom Markel) were brothers-in-law in real life as Long's elder sister Barbara Long was married to Thompson from 1949 until his death in 1992.

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Quotes

Lamian Threatening Death: The Cobra Goddess will avenger herself! On by one, you will die!

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Connections

Featured in Son of Svengoolie: Cult of the Cobra (1955) (1980)

User Reviews

Serpent Time

Set in 1945, six American GIs crash a cult that worships snakes, and are threatened to be killed, one by one, for their misdeeds. The setup is a bit long (about 15 minutes), but once they get back to New York City, the excitement begins. Faith Domergue is amazingly beautiful, and most alluring, as an Asian "Cobra Woman", an instrument of death. Despite his third billing in the film, Marshall Thompson is her co-star, giving a strong performance as the GI who falls for her, and proves her ruin. He and the rest of the cast, Richard Long, William Reynolds, Jack Kelly and David Janssen, became more successful as television stars. Kathleen Hughes is also on hand as a pretty blonde love interest. Not much is made to recreate the era, it's definitely 1955, via the clothes, makeup, hairstyles, etc. And when Domergue is transformed back to a human, she's fully clothed! But as in most of Universal-International's decade of science fiction/horror classics, which hold up better (and are re-shown on Cable and released to DVD/video) than their other output, save a few Douglas Sirk dramas, it's well-written, photographed, scored, paced and acted.