ALL SCI-FI

[Bud Brewster]

[Also released as: "Tiger Man"]

A strange and disturbing movie, based on a bizarre concept, first introduced to the public in a book entitled "Donovan's Brain" by novelist and screenwriter Curt Siodmak.

This first screen version casts Erich Von Stroheim as the doctor who removes the brain of a gangster killed in a plan crash. Von Stroheim keeps the brain alive in nutrient-filled tank. The strong-willed gangster's brain finds a way to overcome its bodiless condition by telepathically controlling Von Stroheim's lab assistant, Richard Arlen, and sending him out to clear up some unfinished business.

Because horror films were so popular in the 1940s, the laboratory scenes (and the film's general atmosphere) are dark and gothic in flavor.

Directed by George Sherman from a screenplay by Dane Lussier and Frederick Kohner.
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Is there no man on Earth who has the wisdom and innocence of a child?
~ The Space Children (1958)

[Casey62]

Nice capsulization of this underrated gem, Bud. Even though it takes a few liberties with Curt Siodmak's original novel, cinematically, it's much better than the 1953 version which is decidedly bland by comparison.

Lew Ayers is a good actor, but if he has one hindrance, it's his inability to convincingly play a menacing character. In the first film, Richard Arlen has Ayers beat by a mile as the guy under the control of Donovan's brain. He's effectively aided by stylish, creepy, low-angle lighting every time the brain takes hold of him.

This device was used more for the sake of audience suggestion than it was for any attempt at realism, since Arlen is the only one lit this way even when in the presence of others. Besides Arlen, we have a tight script, John Alton's noirish cinematography, and a characteristically excellent performance by Erich von Stroheim as the main delights in THE LADY AND THE MONSTER.

[Bud Brewster]

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Back in the days of my innocent adolescence, around 1962 A.D., I spent all my Friday nights staring at the family's black & white TV and a late show host who went by the professional name of Bestoink Dooley (aka Mr. George Ellis).

Bestoink played a bored, sarcastic, displaced aristocrat who had suffered the fate of his own "reduced fortunes" (as they say). Economic necessity had forced poor Bestoink to present films of questionable merit to insomniacs who were up late to punish themselves for reasons only they could know.

Mr. Ellis' character was adored then, and he's still remembered fondly today.

In fact, I made a post about Bestoink on the old All Sci-Fi about five years ago, and we acquired a new member shortly thereafter who sent me a PM to say that she was George's granddaughter, and a Google search of her grandfather's name had uncovered the kind words about him I'd shared on All Sci-Fi.

I don't know how many times the late show called The Big Movie Shocker, hosted by George "Bestoink Dooley" Elllis, showed The Lady and the Monster, but I was there every time, and I consider it time well spent.


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Is there no man on Earth who has the wisdom and innocence of a child?
~ The Space Children (1958)

[Bud Brewster]

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A special offer, exclusively for members of The Bestoink Dooley Fan Club!

Now you lucky members can watch The Lady and the Monster absolutely free simply by clicking on the link below!

Be sure your printout of the picture you received of the official Bestoink Dooley Fan Club button is taped to your shirt! Otherwise the link won't work, your computer will freeze up, a virus will steal your personal information, and your bank account will be cleaned out by Russian hackers!

Enjoy the movie, fellow Dooley-ites!
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___________ The Lady and the Monster (1944)


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Is there no man on Earth who has the wisdom and innocence of a child?
~ The Space Children (1958)

[Maurice]

Speaking of The Bestoink Dooley Fan Club...

http://www.oxfordamerican.org/item/1181-the-bestoink-dooley-fan-clublub:
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"The absence of limitations is the enemy of art."
― Orson Welles

[Bud Brewster]

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Wow, Maurice! What a GREAT article!

I learned much more about George Ellis than I'd previously known, and my respect for George now goes far beyond my fond memories of The Big Movie Shocker.

Thanks for finding the article and sharing it with us.
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Is there no man on Earth who has the wisdom and innocence of a child?
~ The Space Children (1958)

[Bud Brewster]

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Thinking Outside the "Plot"!
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~ A Question for the Members: Suppose a strong-willed, highly intelligent brain could actually remain alive in a tank of nutrients, and it was able to focus all its mental faculties on the mind of another individual to communicate with him — perhaps even control the person's thoughts and actions.

And suppose this brain belonged to police detective who was murdered by an unknown assailant.

Could this disembodied individual interact with the partner he'd worked with before the murder, in an effort to solve the crime?

~ Here's what I came up with.: Police Detective Zane Robbins is shot in the line of duty and pronounced DOA at the hospital. His partner, Detective Jeremy Lawson is the son of a famous brain surgeon, Dr. Phillip Lawson, who is the head of research project which is studying the possibility of preserving the brains of highly gifted individuals after their deaths.

Detective Robbins has no living relatives, so his long-time friend has power of attorney concerning the remains of his dead partner. Lawson gives his father permission to use Robbins' brain as part of his research project.

Neither the father nor the son expect Robbins' brain to actually continue to function in the tank of nutrients in which it is placed. Previous experiments have had limited success, although the team of scientist are working to improve the life support system of the "brain tank"







However, within a few days Jeremy Lawson begins to hear a faint voice that sounds like his late friend. Jeremy eventually realizes that Zane's brain is alive and conscious, and he has learned how to tap into the minds of other people.

Jeremy and Zane theorize that the years they've spent together as partners on the police force has caused them to "think alike", the way so many long-term partners sometimes do. This his aided them in creating the link between their two minds.

Jeremy tells his father about this, and Zane also manages to speaks telepathically to the doctor (faintly), convincing him that Jeremy is not imagining the voice he hears. At Zane's request, the father and son agree to keep his strange and unique condition a secret for the time being while Jeremy and Zane set out to solve the detective's murder.

But the situation is complicated by the fact that Jeremy has been assigned to a new partner — Rosalie (Rose) Wilson, an attractive young women who recently made detective. Jeremy has to remember not to talk aloud when he and Zane are conversing any time he's around other folks . . .
especially Rose.

As time goes by, Zane learns that he can shift his mental connection from Jeremy to other people, listening to their thoughts and accessing their memories. This, quite naturally, is a huge help to the two "living" detectives and their silent partner — Zane "The Brain" Robbins!

I think this might make a pretty good TV series!
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Is there no man on Earth who has the wisdom and innocence of a child?
~ The Space Children (1958)

[Pow]

Just watched this for the first time recently and was quite impressed with this production. I wasn't expecting much out of the ordinary. Was I ever pleasantly surprised. Casey62's post for this film is spot-on.

A creepy eerie atmosphere is nicely established with the howling winds in the Arizona desert and the requisite gothic castle.

Erich Von Stroheim is superb in an intense performance as the obsessed & driven scientist that will not let anything or anyone stand in his way in order to achieve his goals.

Equally good is Richard Arlen as the lab assistant. At first, he appears to be the usual second banana bland romantic role we see in these films. But watch out once Donovan takes control of him. He transitions into a intimidating strong-willed, dominating personality who takes no prisoners in his quest to get what he wants. I only regret that we did not have any scenes between Stroheim & Arlen (as Donovan). This clash of titans would have been fantastic to witness.

[Bud Brewster]

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Here's the YouTube video of this movie (which is probably the one Pow watched ), and I think I'll watch it, too!

After all, I haven't seen in since the early 1960s when Bestoink Dooley aired it on The Big Movie Shocker!

Thanks, Pow !

The Lady and the Monster (1944) - Vera Ralston Movie - Sci-Fi Movie


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Is there no man on Earth who has the wisdom and innocence of a child?
~ The Space Children (1958)