The Brain from Planet Arous (1957)

Director:

Nathan Juran

Writer:

Ray Buffum (original screenplay)

Release Date:

1 October 1957 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Adventure | Horror | Sci-Fi | Thriller

Tagline:

It Will Steal Your Body And Damn Your Soul!

Plot:

A powerful criminal brain from the planet Arous, Gor, assumes the body of scientist Steve March. Thru...

Plot Keywords:

Desert | Corpse | Mind Control | Poverty Row Film | Independent Production

Cast

John Agar	...	Steve March
Joyce Meadows	...	Sally Fallon
Robert Fuller	...	Dan Murphy
Thomas Browne Henry	...	John Fallon (as Thomas B. Henry)
Henry Travis	...	Colonel Frogley
Tim Graham	...	Sheriff Wiley Pane
Ken Terrell	...	Colonel in Conference Room (as Kenneth Terrell)
E. Leslie Thomas	...	General Brown
Bill Giorgio	...	Russian

Runtime:

71 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

USA:Passed (National Board of Review) | USA:Approved | Canada:PG

Filming Locations:

Bronson Caves, Bronson Canyon, Griffith Park - 4730 Crystal Springs Drive, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Marquette Productions Ltd.

Trivia:

The special eye effects for Steve March were created by having John Agar wear special black contact lenses that were very thick. The extreme thickness of the contact made it painful for Agar to wear them.

Goofs:

Revealing mistakes: Wires visible when the plane explodes.

Movie Connections:

Featured in "Svengoolie: The Brain from Planet Arous" (1996)

One of the campiest, cheesiest, and most entertaining sci-fi films from the 50s

"The Brain From Planet Arous" is one of the campiest, cheesiest, and most entertaining sci-fi films from the 50s. It may be laughable and ludicrous, but its certainly never boring. While not nearly as technically inept as "Robot Monster" or "Plan 9 From Outer Space", it provides just as many giggles. It deserves it reputation as one of the most beloved pieces of schlock from the decade. This is one of the least serious science fiction films imaginable, using scientific notions as simply an excuse for some on-screen scares. The idea of a giant floating brain from outer space attempting to invade the earth single-handedly is hilarious. Even funnier is how a second, nicer brain is sent to our planet and takes over the mind of a dog to stop this threat!

At the forefront of it all is a memorable performance from John Agar. Hes over-the-top throughout and really makes the film. Whether its attempting to scare a meeting of all the important nations of the world (about seven leaders in a small office building room) or laughing hysterically and gleaming his eyes, Agar is a riot throughout. Hes more than just Shirley Temple's husband, he a cult legend! Were not talking "2001: A Space Odyssey" here folks. What were talking about is one of the most enjoyable b-sci-fi films of the decade. (7/10)