The Manster (1959)

An American reporter in Japan is sent to interview an eccentric Japanese scientist working on bizarre experiments in his mountain laboratory. When the doctor realizes that the hapless ... See full summary »

Directors:

George P. Breakston (as George Breakston), Kenneth G. Crane

Writers:

William J. Sheldon (screenplay by) (as Walt Sheldon), George P. Breakston (from an original story by) (as George Breakston)

Stars:

Peter Dyneley, Jane Hylton, Tetsu Nakamura

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Peter Dyneley	...	Larry Stanford
Jane Hylton	...	Linda Stanford
Tetsu Nakamura	...	Dr. Robert Suzuki (as Satoshi Nakamura)
Terri Zimmern	...	Tara
Norman Van Hawley	...	Ian Matthews (as Van Hawley)
Jerry Itô	...	Police Superintendent Aida (as Jerry Ito)
Toyoko Takechi	...	Emiko Suzuki
Kenzo Kuroki	...	Genji Suzuki
Alan Tarlton	...	Dr. H.B. Jennsen
Shinpei Takagi	...	Temple Priest
George Wyman	...	Monster

Storyline

An American reporter in Japan is sent to interview an eccentric Japanese scientist working on bizarre experiments in his mountain laboratory. When the doctor realizes that the hapless correspondent is the perfect subject for his next experiment, he drugs the unfortunate man and injects him with a serum that gradually transforms him into a hideous, two-headed monster.

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Plot Keywords:

psychotronic film | killed by a monster | shot to death | volcano | evolution | 

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Taglines:

Half-Man, Half-Monster!

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Genres:

Horror | Sci-Fi

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Did You Know?

Trivia

Sources state different release dates. The American Film Institute suggests it premiered in the YA in San Francisco on March 28, 1962, at a run time of 72 minutes. Stuart Galbraith IV wrote in his book "The Japanese Filmography" that it was released in Japan in 1961 with an American premiere on March 28, 1962, but AllMovie states it was released in the US on July 1, 1959. Lopert Pictures released it in the U.S. on a double feature with Eyes Without a Face (1960). In the United Kingdom it was released as "The Split". It was shown on "Elvira's Movie Macabre" and later released on DVD.

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Goofs

Misspelled word in opening credits. "From an original story..." reads "From an ORIGNAL story..."

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Quotes

Dr. Robert Suzuki: You're an experiment that didn't work out. I'm sorry Kenji.

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Alternate Versions

Some prints cut the epilogue in which Ian tries to convince Linda that Larry will be all right.

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Connections

Featured in 100 Years of Horror: Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1996)

User Reviews

One of My Childhood Favorites

I too remember this film from my childhood! Love it, Love it, Love it! Yeah, the eye in the shoulder and then the monster breaking free! It's the best!

Details

Country:

Japan USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

28 March 1962 (USA)

Also Known As:

Nightmare

Filming Locations:

Japan

Company Credits

Production Co:

Shaw-Breakston Enterprises, William Shelton

Technical Specs

Runtime:

73 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1