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Creature with the Atom Brain (1955)
Scared a Kid!
It was a family affair the evening we all went to see this at the local Nassau Theater (which everyone in the neighborhood called "The Itch") in Roosevelt (Long Island), New York, on a warm summer evening in 1956 (although it was released in late 1955).
I was seven-1/2 years old.
The film was, to the bulk of the chortling audience--- my mom, cousins, aunt and uncle, included--- risible; but, to me, well, I was scared, dare I say it?, silly. Waaaaaa! My kin thought I was kidding; I wasn't. I think the stitches on the foreheads and the robotic behavior of "the creatures" threw me over the edge.
Back home, I had nightmares for weeks, cried out for mom constantly--- until she got so frustrated that she ceased coming upstairs.
I hadn't seen the film since, until about four years ago, and, you know what, as an older adult, I can see exactly why the film scared me. As well, though, I can see why the audience found humor a-bounding: the acting is wooden, the script absurd, the talk, talk, talk incessant.
The Return of Dracula (1958)
Atmospheric, spooky, scary fun!
When this opened in '58 in Van Nuys, CA, I was about ten years old, venturing into the dark theater, alone, to watch. Ah, fond memories! The viewing proved absolutely mesmerizing: the black and white photography, impressively claustrophobic, the stock characters, charming, the vampire (Dracula/Lederer), as creepy as vampires get. I was hooked on the jump scares, the ominous stares, the empty house hallways, the gloomy fog, the continuous feeling of juts, plain dread. I recall walking out, after being nearly paralyzed by the film's conclusion, in a daze--- recounting all the wonders that I had just seen.
Naturally, I couldn't wait to tell all my buddies.
Later in life--- in my 70s!--- I bought the DVD and relished the film as heartily as when I first sat in that darkened theater.
For vampire aficionados, the film is a must; for others, recommended without hesitation.