Donovans brain stars former first lady nancy davis reagan with lew ayres in this shocking sciencefiction tale about a laboratory experiment that unleashes a. The disembodied brain has also turned up in a number of tv series and films, and the basic concept has been drawn upon for cyborgs like robocop. Cory decides to use his brain in his experiment keeping it alive in a tank. The lady and the monster the first movie version of donovans brain. Cory s lew ayres discovery of a method to keep disembodied brains alive. Sky marshal of the universe 1953 four sided triangle 1953 invaders from mars 1953 it came from outer space 1953 mesa of lost women 1953 phantom from space 1953 port sinister 1953 project moonbase 1953. His brother, curt siodmak was more recognizable as a screenwriter, penning a variety of b horror titles such as the wolf man 1941 and usually assigned to pen sequels to a number of other franchises. Pat, schratt and janice research about the life of donovan and they discover that he was a ruthless and evil man. Three scientists unlawfully remove the still living brain of a dead tycoon and experiment.
Buy donovans brain movie posters from movie poster shop. This 1953 movie was not the first adaptation of donovans brain as director george sherman first took a crack at it in 1944 with the lady and the monster. The book was a bestseller and has had three film adaptations, the best and most famous of which was released in 1953. Although its executive producer allan dowlings only real foray into feature film production, its a quality. Complete films, some in parts, some cross over several genres e. Donovans brain is an independently made 1953 blackandwhite science fiction horror film, produced by allan dowling and tom gries, directed by felix e. Bogus karlofflugosi film in which the two horror stars have no scenes together, and the main character is actually a third actor, ridges. Were your movie poster source for new releases and vintage movie posters.
Donovans brain remastered, digitally mastered in hd on. The one goof listed for this film and for a modestly budgeted 1950s scifi film, just one is a pretty good recordpoints out that frank schratt gene evans tells janice cory nancy davis reagan that her husband pat lew ayres had the freedom from donovan s brain s mental domination to make a tape recording because the brain was. Aug 29, 2010 former first lady nancy davis reagan stars with lew ayres in this shocking science fiction tale about a laboratory experiment that unleashes a powerful and out of control brain. Its a solid adaptation of the novel by curt siodmak. Former first lady nancy davis reagan stars with lew ayres in this shocking science fiction tale about a laboratory experiment that unleashes a powerful and out of control brain. Donovan crashes his private plane in the desert near the home of dr.
The experiment is a success and donovans brain is taking in all the nourishment it needs to become stronger, it actually begins to increase in size. Its more of a thriller and a mystery than an in you face science fiction space film. Cory is unable to save donovans life, but removes his brain in the slim hope that it might survive. Science fiction movies iv 1952 1956 complete films the most complete filmography on you tube. The second film version of the curt siodmak novel about a malevolent brain. Based on the novel by curt siodmak, this horror film follows scientist dr. He was a prolific writer and hollywood film director in the 1940 s and 50 s. Reagan, nancy ronald reagan visiting nancy reagan on the movie set of donovans brain, 1953. Lew ayres, who achieved stardom as the benevolent dr.
Frank schratt and his wife janice cory through experiments with monkeys in a laboratory in his house. Donovans brain would be a best seller in the forties. Siodmak wanted to direct donovans brain, but he complained that he producer tom gries wouldnt let me direct it because of a personal dislike. Donovan s brain is a film that was released in 1953. Donovan s brain is a 1942 science fiction novel by american writer curt siodmak the novel became an instant classic and was adapted to movie form three times.
Corys lew ayres discovery of a method to keep disembodied brains alive. Donovan s brain 1953 cast and crew credits, including actors, actresses, directors, writers and more. Donovans brain 1953 approved 1h 24min scifi, horror 30 september 1953 usa dr. As a result, the movie spends far too much time on scenes with dr. After an horrific plane crash, despised millionaire tom donovan michael colgan is declared dead.
Cory meeting with cronies of donovans and flying around withdrawing all this money he had stashed away in different banks. Donovan s brain is a terrific science thriller by curt siodmak. Soon donovan s brain imposes his personality to dr. For science fiction novelist and screenwriter curt siodmak it is his 1942 novel donovans brain that would be adapted into its own chilling spinetingling film in 1953, but also inspire numerous ripoff adaptations. Oscars best picture winners best picture winners golden globes emmys san diego comiccon new york comiccon sundance film festival toronto intl film festival awards central festival central all. If you are a fan of this movie and want the best possible picture, this is easily the best version for you. Were not talking about just any dead mans brain here but a brilliant mass of gray matter that once governed the thoughts and actions of tom donovan, a powerful and ruthless millionaire.
It s not a horror film, but donovan s brain 1953 is creepy enough ok, campy enough for october halloween viewing. Hyde 1953 donovans brain 1953 catwomen of the moon 1953 commando cody. Donovan s brain is an independently made 1953 blackandwhite science fiction horror film, produced by allan dowling and tom gries, directed by felix e. Scifi and horror rub elbows in 1953s donovans brain, a classy thriller that, thanks to the popularity of curt siodmaks source novel, rests on a higher shelf than most fifties films sourced in pulp fantasy fiction. Donovans brain 1953 the tag line from the movie poster for donovans brain 1953 succinctly sums up the plot. Oscars best picture winners best picture winners golden globes emmys san diego comiccon new york comiccon sundance film festival toronto intl film festival awards central festival central all events. Curt siodmaks oftadapted science fiction novel receives a nofrills treatment at the hands of director felix feist the devil thumbs. At one point in the movie, gene evans shades of dr. Donovans brain is a terrific science thriller by curt siodmak.
Donovans brain is a 1942 science fiction novel by american writer curt siodmak. A scientist takes a the brain of dead man and revives it via electrodes as it lays suspended in a tank of liquid. Feb 15, 2016 the disembodied brain has also turned up in a number of tv series and films, and the basic concept has been drawn upon for cyborgs like robocop. Cory lew ayres knows he must resort to unorthodox methods in order to save ailing tycoon tom donovan, so the surgeon removes the wealthy man s brain and manages to keep it. Since then the book has become something of a cult classic, with fans including stephen king, who discussed the novel in his 1981 book danse macabre and mentions it in his novelminiseries it. The film is based on a horror novel, donovan s brain, that was written in 1942 by curt siodmak. Donovan s brain stars former first lady nancy davis reagan with lew ayres in this shocking sciencefiction tale about a laboratory experiment that unleashes a powerful and outofcontrol brain. And whenever the title monstrosity is plotting something evil, it glows from within like some phosphorescent sea. Donovan s brain is a 1942 science fiction novel by american writer curt siodmak.
Patrick cory lew ayres, his abilities as a healer are outshined by his ambition as a scientist. In addition to inspiring the entire killer brain subgenre. This is a good film to put on when your sitting in front of your tv and after surfing 100 channels and find nothing worth watching. I remember this film as a child growing up in the 1950s. Courtesy ronald reagan library after his acting career began to decline in the 1950s, reagan became the host of a television drama series, general electric theater, as well as spokesman for the general electric company. This 1953 effort concerns a well to do scientist played by lew ayers who acquires the brain of a recently departed man from a plane accident. Complete list of 50s science fiction films classic horror.
The only movie actor ever to become president, he had a remarkable skill as an orator that earned him the title the great communicator. The film is based on a horror novel, donovans brain, that was written in 1942 by curt siodmak. Patrick cory, a scientist experimenting with keeping monkey brains alive outside of their bodies. Its a good story wrapped around good acting and cinematography.
The one goof listed for this filmand for a modestly budgeted 1950s scifi film, just one is a pretty good recordpoints out that frank schratt gene evans tells janice cory nancy davis reagan that her husband pat lew ayres had the freedom from donovans brains mental domination to make a tape recording because the brain. Kildare, plays yet another kindly doctor who nurtures a living brain kept alive in an electrified fish tank only to have its sinister personality consume him. Feist on allmovie the best filmization of the curtis siodmak book. Feist from a screenplay cowritten with hugh brooke. Yet one of siodmaks biggest successes would be a novel. Lew ayres stars in felix feists adaptation of the 1942 novel by curt siodmak. Were not talking about just any dead mans brain here but a brilliant mass of gray matter that once governed the thoughts and actions of tom donovan, a powerful and ruthless. Full movie, gregory peck, english free full western films. There is a commentary track by film historian richard smith. Donovans brain may also be available with public performance rights ppr and digital site licensing dsl for colleges and universities. Its greatest distinction is featuring first lady to be nancy davis. Amazing stories, the hbo film the second civil war, the masters. Trailers from hell trailer of the 1953 classic horror film donovans brain.
He collaborated with fellow filmmakers billy wilder, fred zinnemann and his brother, director robert siodmak, on films in the early thirties before moving to england from germany, and then on to hollywood. The tag line from the movie poster for donovans brain 1953 succinctly sums up the plot. Mccoy from star trek barks, im a doctor, not an electrician. Ive seen this film twice now and im still fuzzy on the medical value of living brains in jars, but then again im not a mad scientist. Donovans brain movie posters from movie poster shop. Donovan s brain is a 1953 film about a scientist who preserves the living brain of ruthless millionaire. But the one film that people keep referring to as the essential braininavat film is the independently produced donovans brain, made in 1953, based on curt siodmaks novel of the same name.
We also share information about your use of our site with our social media, advertising and analytics partners who may combine it with other information that youve provided to them or that theyve collected from your use of their services. When a millionaire by the name of donovan crashes nearby dr. Cory is researching brains with his assistant and friend dr. Donovans brain 1953 rotten tomatoes movie trailers. Donovans brain is a film that was released in 1953. The brain then begins using its new found ability to continue to try and cheat the government out of the taxes that the brain owes it. Complete list of 50s science fiction films classic. For science fiction novelist and screenwriter curt siodmak it is his 1942 novel donovan s brain that would be adapted into its own chilling spinetingling film in 1953, but also inspire numerous ripoff adaptations. The equipment in the lab also indicates that there are thought waves occurring in the brain. We use cookies to personalize content and ads, to provide social media features and to analyze our traffic. He was a prolific writer and hollywood film director in the 1940s and 50s. Trailers from hell trailer of the 1953 classic horror film donovan s brain. Donovans brain 1953 cast and crew credits, including actors, actresses, directors, writers and more. The film was distributed by united artists and is based on the 1942 horror novel donovan s brain by curt siodmak.
Hyde 1953 donovan s brain 1953 catwomen of the moon 1953 commando cody. Apr 19, 2016 ive seen this film twice now and im still fuzzy on the medical value of living brains in jars, but then again im not a mad scientist. A scientist keeps a dead mans brain alive and the dead man gains telekinetic powers enabling him to possess the scientist and live though him. Donovans brain is a 1953 film about a scientist who preserves the living brain of ruthless millionaire. Patrick cory, a middleaged physician who experiments at keeping a brain alive.
Ronald reagan, 40th president of the united states 198189, noted for his conservative republicanism, his fervent anticommunism, and his appealing personal style. The film is about a scientist who preserves the brain of a millionaire in a tank in order to keep it alive. Donovans brain is actually sending out thoughts telepathically. Cory lew ayres knows he must resort to unorthodox methods in order to save ailing tycoon tom donovan, so the surgeon removes the wealthy mans brain and manages to. Cory and possesses him to get rid of his enemies and to live again in his body. Lew ayres and nancy reagan in donovans brain 1953 donovans brain 1953 lew. The best known of these adaptations, from 1953, is the only one to use siodmaks original.
Donovans brain is a sci fihorror which somehow seems to feature very little of each genre. Donovans brain is a 1953 american science fiction horror feature film directed by felix e. Patrick cory ayres has ideas beyond his station however when he decides to operate on the corpse and retrieve the brain for research purposes. It would be adapted to radio and then to film three separate times.
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