ALL SCI-FI

[Bud Brewster]

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Three movies from the Golden Age of Hollywood, when the studios ruled the actors, and the actors dazzled the public, and the public paid 25¢ for movie tickets.

For just "two bits" the audience was treated to cartoons, newsreels, trailers, and double features.

So, here's a triple feature for your viewing pleasure, folks!
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The Man With Nine Lives (1940)

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[Also released as: "Behind the Door"]

Yet another good vehicle for Boris Karloff, this time as a humanitarian doctor conducting research on a process for curing cancer with cryogenics.

His lab is located in the basement of his Canadian home, adjacent to an ice cave that Karloff uses in his freezing process. Employing his new process, he attempts to cure a man dying of cancer, but the patient's nephew and the disapproving authorities interrupt the procedure.

Karloff tries to drive them away with a gas he concocts. But the gas combines with the cold temperature and puts both Karloff and the group of intruders into suspended animation!

Ten years later, a young scientist (Roger Pryor) and his assistant (Jo Ann Sayers) break into the sealed lab in hopes of solving the mystery of the missing doctor. The fresh air dispels the gas and revives the group.

With the help of the young doctor, Karloff tries in vain to duplicate the gas that made the cryogenic process work, and when he fails, it unhinges his mind. He traps the entire group in the underground lab and begins to use them as guinea pigs.

The story does a fine job of exploring the novel concept. Directed by Nick Grinde. ____________________________________________________________________

The Mask of Fu Manchu (1932)



In the 1930s, Hollywood produced many weird, atmospheric films — but not many as weird as this one.

Boris Karloff excels in his portrayal of the oriental villain with the dagger-like fingernails and a passionate need to conquer the world. Fu Manchu plans to steal two priceless artifacts on display at the British Museum, a mask and sword that belonged to Ghengis Khan. With these objects in his possession he can inspire the oriental populace of the world to rise up and wipe out the hated Caucasian race.

Fu Manchu also has a death ray he plans to use in the coming battle. His torture chamber is filled with loathsome devices. Example: archaeologist Jean Hersholt is placed between two spiked-studded plates that close hydraulically like a giant vice-clamp.
Myrna Loy ("The Thin Man") plays Fu Manchu's slinky daughter. On the side of good is Inspector Nayland Smith (Lewis Stone) of Scotland Yard, a worthy adversary for the evil arch-villain.

This is a first-rate film version of Sax Rohmer's classic character. Sets, costumes, and props (especially the death ray) are terrific. Directed by Charles Brabin. ____________________________________________________________________

Manhunt of Mystery Island (1945)

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[Also released as: "Captain Mephisto and the Transformation Machine"]

Standard Republic serial with a certain amount of imagination; an amazing "transformation chair" turns an inventor into Captain Mephisto, infamous buccaneer from the 1700's (played by Roy Barcroft) who wants to get his hands on a newly invented Radio-atomic Power Transmitter, with which he can control the world.

Thwarting this villain at every turn is Richard Bailey, a brave criminolgist, aided by Linda Sterling as the inventor's daughter. A condensed version of the serial appears on the late show occasionally.

Directed by Spencer Bennet, Wallace Grissel, and Yakima Canutt, the latter of which is one of Hollywood's most famous stunt men and a frequent second-unit director of Westerns during the 1930s, 1940s, and 1950s.
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Is there no man on Earth who has the wisdom and innocence of a child?
~ The Space Children (1958)