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IMDbPro

The Brain That Wouldn't Die

  • 19621962
  • ApprovedApproved
  • 1h 22m
IMDb RATING
4.5/10
7.2K
YOUR RATING
Virginia Leith in The Brain That Wouldn't Die (1962)
A doctor experimenting with transplant techniques keeps his girlfriend's head alive when she is decapitated in a car crash, then goes hunting for a new body.
Play trailer2:07
1 Video
99+ Photos
HorrorSci-Fi
A doctor experimenting with transplant techniques keeps his girlfriend's head alive when she is decapitated in a car crash, then goes hunting for a new body.A doctor experimenting with transplant techniques keeps his girlfriend's head alive when she is decapitated in a car crash, then goes hunting for a new body.A doctor experimenting with transplant techniques keeps his girlfriend's head alive when she is decapitated in a car crash, then goes hunting for a new body.
IMDb RATING
4.5/10
7.2K
YOUR RATING
    • Joseph Green
    • Joseph Green(screenplay)
    • Rex Carlton(original story)
  • Stars
    • Jason Evers
    • Virginia Leith
    • Anthony La Penna
    • Joseph Green
    • Joseph Green(screenplay)
    • Rex Carlton(original story)
  • Stars
    • Jason Evers
    • Virginia Leith
    • Anthony La Penna
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 197User reviews
    • 84Critic reviews
  • See more at IMDbPro
  • Videos1

    Blu-ray Trailer
    Trailer 2:07
    Watch Blu-ray Trailer

    Photos121

    Jason Evers and Virginia Leith in The Brain That Wouldn't Die (1962)
    Eddie Carmel and Virginia Leith in The Brain That Wouldn't Die (1962)
    The Brain That Wouldn't Die (1962)
    The Brain That Wouldn't Die (1962)
    Doris Brent, Bruce Brighton, Jason Evers, and Fred Martin in The Brain That Wouldn't Die (1962)
    Bruce Brighton in The Brain That Wouldn't Die (1962)
    Jason Evers in The Brain That Wouldn't Die (1962)
    The Brain That Wouldn't Die (1962)
    Bruce Brighton and Jason Evers in The Brain That Wouldn't Die (1962)
    Jason Evers in The Brain That Wouldn't Die (1962)
    Bruce Brighton in The Brain That Wouldn't Die (1962)
    Bruce Brighton, Jason Evers, and Virginia Leith in The Brain That Wouldn't Die (1962)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Jason Evers
    Jason Evers
    • Dr. Bill Cortner
    • (as Herb Evers)
    Virginia Leith
    Virginia Leith
    • Jan Compton…
    Anthony La Penna
    • Kurt
    • (as Leslie Daniel)
    Adele Lamont
    • Doris Powell
    Bonnie Sharie
    • Blonde Stripper
    Paula Morris
    • Brunet Stripper
    Marilyn Hanold
    Marilyn Hanold
    • Peggy Howard
    • (as Marlyn Hanold)
    Bruce Brighton
    • Dr. Cortner
    Arny Freeman
    • Photographer
    Fred Martin
    • Medical Assistant
    Lola Mason
    • Donna Williams
    Doris Brent
    • Nurse
    Bruce Kerr
    Bruce Kerr
    • Beauty Contest M.C.
    Audrey Devereau
    • Jeannie Reynolds
    Eddie Carmel
    • Monster
    Sammy Petrillo
    Sammy Petrillo
    • Art
    • (uncredited)
      • Joseph Green
      • Joseph Green(screenplay) (original story)
      • Rex Carlton(original story)
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Reportedly, Virginia Leith hated the film so much she refused to return for post-production. At least a few of her lines were dubbed by Doris Brent, who played a nurse.
    • Goofs
      Even were it possible to keep a severed head alive by ensuring enough oxygenated blood is circulated through the brain (as it appears to be, here), it would still be impossible for Jan to speak without lungs or vocal cords.
    • Quotes

      Dr. Cortner: The Superintendent had it out with me. He thinks it's you who's been stealing those limbs from the amputee operations.

      Dr. Bill Cortner: So what if it is?

    • Crazy credits
      At the beginning, the title is given as "The Brain That Wouldn't Die." The end title card lists the title as "The Head That Wouldn't Die."
    • Alternate versions
      Also released in shorter version that removes most of the violent footage.
    • Connections
      Edited into Bride of Monster Mania (2000)
    • Soundtracks
      The Web
      Composed by Tony Restaino

      Performed by Abe Baker

      By Permission of Laurel Records

      [Theme Music]

    User reviews197

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    Well, it sorta did die, ya know!
    Mystery Science Theater 3000 rescues another classic from the dust bin -- and with a new victim for the mind-melting film-watching experiments. Mr. Nelson must suffer through this movie, but we can enjoy his suffering.

    Let's see -- where to begin. Slinky babes, sleezy music, severed heads, a closeted monster, a body-beautiful contest, a model who doesn't date men because she hates them all (just like the title character in KISS ME, KATE). And that's just for starters.

    A man loses his wife -- well, actually he loses her body but keeps her head, see? Then, of course, since he's a mad scientist, he has to go cruising around looking for a new body so she will be a whole woman again -- 'cause he's not into anything kinky, see?

    But guess what? Just like the Wolfman, this unappreciative head just wants to die. How ungrateful, huh?

    The dialogue is so overly unintentionally hilarious, you must hear it to believe it, and even then it's hard to believe.

    This is a surreal existential treatise that has the subtitle, "A celebration of betrayal." Throw in some sci-fi and morgue humor, and you have a classic! And the closeted monster and the drugged model live happily ever after. What other movie could give you all of this?
    helpful•7
    1
    • mermatt
    • Jun 30, 2001

    FAQ2

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    Details

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    • Release date
      • August 10, 1962 (United States)
      • United States
      • English
    • Also known as
    • Filming locations
      • Tarrytown, New York, USA
    • Production company
      • Rex Carlton Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

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    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

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    • 1 hour 22 minutes
      • Black and White
      • Mono

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