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:

Can a woman's beauty be changed to a thing of terror?

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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

Daru: I have a great need of money, and for a great need, an old man will take a great risk.

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Connections

Referenced in GLOW: Maybe It's All the Disco (2017)

User Reviews

The Curse of the Cobra

In Asia, six airmen from the American Air Forces break in a secret cult of Lamians that worship a cobra goddess. However they are found in the temple and need to flee from the ceremony. They are cursed by the priest that sentences them to die, one by one. Back in New York, Sergeant Paul Able (Richard Long), who will marry the actress Julia Thompson (Kathleen Hughes), and G.I. Tom Markel (Marshall Thompson), who also loves Julia, are best friends and roommates. When Tom stumbles upon the mysterious Lisa Moya (Faith Domergue), they immediately fall in love with each other. Meanwhile their friends are dying and soon the coroner discovers snake venom in their blood.

"Cult of the Cobra" is an entertaining horror film with the storyline of a group of arrogant American G.I.s that breaks in a cult without any respect and are cursed by the priest to die. The gorgeous and exotic Faith Domergue is a goddess with the ability of turning into a cobra that travels to New York to revenge the worshippers. The negative point of the story is that she falls in love with one of the trespassers. My vote is seven.

Title (Brazil): "Maldição da Serpente" ("Curse of the Snake")