Indestructible Man (1956)

Charles "The Butcher" Benton, a brutal death row inmate gets double-crossed by his crooked lawyer. He gets his chance for revenge when, after he's been executed, a bizarre experiment brings him back to life and more deadly than ever.

Director:

Jack Pollexfen

Writers:

Vy Russell (original screenplay), Sue Dwiggins (original screenplay) (as Sue Bradford)

Stars:

Lon Chaney Jr., Max Showalter, Marian Carr

Cast

Cast overview:
Lon Chaney Jr.	...	Charles 'Butcher' Benton (as Lon Chaney)
Max Showalter	...	Police Lt. Dick Chasen (as Casey Adams)
Marian Carr	...	Eva Martin (as Marion Carr)
Ross Elliott	...	Paul Lowe
Stuart Randall	...	Police Capt. John Lauder
Ken Terrell	...	Joe Marcellia (as Kenneth Terrell)
Marjorie Stapp	...	Hysterical Young Woman
Robert Shayne	...	Prof. Bradshaw
Peggy Maley	...	Francine
Robert Foulk	...	Harry - Bar Owner
Reita Green	...	Carney's 'Bait' (as Rita Green)
Roy Engel	...	Desk Sergeant (as Roy Engle)
Madge Cleveland	...	Screaming Woman

Storyline

"Butcher" Benton goes to his death in the state prison, cursing the three men who double-crossed him following an armored-car hold-up; "Squeamy" Ellis, Joe Marcelli and Paul Lowe, his attorney and leader of the gang. He vows to return and kill them and dies without revealing the location of the stolen money. Detective Chasen is determined to keep working on the case until the stolen loot is recovered. Benton's body is taken to Professor Bradshaw and his assistant for experimentation, and they manage to restore him to life, making him practically indestructible in the process. He takes off after the three men, getting rid of everybody who stands in his way. He is impervious to police bullets. He kills Ellis and Marcelli, while Lowe seeks police protection. Benton takes to the sewers to recover the hidden loot and the police are powerless to stop him.

---

Plot Keywords:

angel's flight railway | stolen money | double cross | super strength | loss of voice | 

---

Taglines:

The scream that shocks the screen with 300,000 volts of horror! Inhuman! Invincible! Inescapable!

---

Genres:

Crime | Horror | Sci-Fi

---

Certificate:

Approved

Did You Know?

Trivia

The film has been released by numerous studios as a "bargain bin" disc. In addition, Mystery Science Theater 3000: Indestructible Man (1992) has been released by Rhino Home Video as part of the Collection, Volume 11 box set.

---

Goofs

When "Butcher" is standing on the giant electrical crane, all the closeups of him show him moving a lot, but when they cut to the long shots, he is just a dark silhouette with no movement whatsoever.

---

Quotes

Paul Lowe, Attorney: Well that's it, Butcher. The evidence against you is so strong, the governor turned down your appeal.
Charles 'Butcher' Benton: You're a rotten liar, Lowe. You started rough. And now you're still trying to throw me curves.
Paul Lowe, Attorney: Look, I don't blame you for being edgy but get this straight. I didn't doublecross you. I never worked harder for a client.
Charles 'Butcher' Benton: You mean you never worked harder for a client to get him sentenced.
Paul Lowe, Attorney: You're a fool, Butcher. If you hadn't tried to doublecross Squeamy Ellis and Joe Marcelli, they wouldn't have ...
[...]

---

Crazy Credits

In the opening credit title, the word indestructible tilts upward to act as a suspension bridge between the pillars at the left and the pillars at the right.

---

Connections

Referenced in Svengoolie: The Beast from 20,000 Fathoms (2019)

---

Soundtracks

Frankie and Johnny
Traditional
Played by off-screen band in the burlesque house

User Reviews

Interesting 1950's Offering

I viewed this film recently for the first time in many years, then went to the IMDb to see what other viewers had to say about it. I was pleased to learn that many feel the same way as I do about this film; that it is entertaining and holds up well within the limits of it's time and 1950's B film genre. In case you are unfamiliar with the storyline: A small time hoodlum known as `The Butcher' (Lon Chaney, Jr.) is executed for a crime his underworld companions set him up for. A bizarre scientific experiment brings him back to life via a massive dose of electricity, which destroys his vocal cords but makes his skin impenetrable, thus becoming the `Indestructible Man.' The story revolves around the Butcher seeking revenge on those who double-crossed him and a zealous police lieutenant chasing he and a missing $600,000 down, with said policeman, (the versatile Casey Adams), falling in love with the Butcher's would-be love interest, (Marion Carr). The Indestructible Man reminds sci-fi fans of Them!, as much of the action takes place in Los Angeles' massive sewer system. This is not the best film to come out of it's era, but it was not meant to be. I would say it rates in the top half of it's class. The editing is a little weak, but there are some good 1950's era location shots of downtown LA which should be of interest to historians, plus it contained some interesting players. Casey Adams, AKA Max Showalter, is not generally known to the viewing public but appeared in hundreds of film and television programs throughout his lengthy career. Joe Flynn had an interesting bit part as the lab assistant, this coming several years before McHale's Navy fame. Female lead Marion Carr should have had a more successful career, as she was very attractive with a pleasing screen personality.

Of course, Lon Chaney, Jr. was the lead. In 1956, he still looked fit and menacing. It would not be long until his well documented personal troubles would diminish him physically and professionally. All in all, a solid effort by director Jack Pollexfen. View this one when you have a chance. It is interesting and will be time well spent.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

25 March 1956 (USA)

Also Known As:

Indestructible Man

Filming Locations:

Follies Burlesque Theater aka Burbank Theater, 548 S. Main Street, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

C.G.K. Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

72 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1