This DVD from Corinth Films will be available for purchase on March 29th.
If you enjoy B-movies, then you’re probably well aware of the many wild, exciting (and, at times, unintentionally amusing) independent science-fiction and monster movies from the 1950s and 1960s. While arthouse distributor Corinth Films typically releases pictures from the likes Federico Fellini and Vittorio De Sica, they also appear to appreciate genre flicks. That’s why they have started a new DVD line called Drive-In Retro Classics, presenting some enjoyably cheesy fare from the past.
Their inaugural release includes the original theatrical versions of three titles together on one disc… all cleaned up and looking better than ever. This collection includes Rocketship X-M (1950), The Brain from Planet Arous (1957) and The Hideous Sun Demon (1958). While there aren’t any bonuses included on the DVD and the source material has its imperfections (like the movies themselves), the picture on all three titles is improved and set itself delivers a lot of fun entertainment.
Rocketship X-M is perhaps the most serious and accomplished movies included on this set. Remarkably, it is also the first outer space adventure film to be made post World War II. The story involves a flight engineer (Noah Beeny), chemist (Osa Massen), physicist (John Emery), astronomer (Hugh O’Brian)) and pilot (Lloyd Bridges) who set out on the first voyage to the moon. After blasting off, they encounter a meteor shower and are knocked off-course. The gang end up landing on Mars and learn something shocking about the history of the red planet. But will they be able to navigate a way home in order to report their incredible discovery?
The movie does its best to try and create a sense of authenticity, focusing on the science behind the rocket and the methods in which the group attempt to accomplish their goal. It’s all complete nonsense and doesn’t hold up to any kind of scrutiny, but the cast still do their best to convincingly dramatize the questionable physics behind how they will reach their destination. Of course, there is plenty of silliness on display, including some chuckles in regards to their lack of space suits. The astronauts are clad in regular duds, including leather jackets! It turns out to be a good call, as they soon learn that Mars has a dusty but Earth-like atmosphere. Like most movies of its era, there is also some bickering and banter between the brash pilot and female chemist. His out-of-date comments and views ultimately lead to romance.
When they arrive on Mars, scenes on the planet have a reddish tint (which must have been quite striking back in the day). And for those who appreciate hearing the sounds of a theremin in their science-fiction movies, this title marks the film score to feature the instrument. Plenty of outrageous events follow after the crew makes their arrival. But the general concept is interesting and, as complications arise late in the film, the story takes an unexpected turn. This decision actually adds a bit of poignancy to the proceedings and makes it more memorable than one might have initially expected.
The Brain from Planet Arous is an absolute hoot and one that will please any fan of cheesy B-movies. This film involves Steve Marsh (John Agar), a nuclear scientist who decides to investigate high radiation levels at nearby Mystery Mountain. When he and fellow lab worker Dan (Robert Fuller) follow the signal into a cave, they encounter a giant and very sinister floating brain. It announces itself as Gor and takes possession of Steve, intending to use his personal connections to get close to government officials and eventually take over the world. It’s a solid enough plan, but Gor finds himself unexpectedly distracted by Steve’s fiancée, Sally (Joyce Meadows), whom he wants to make time with.
The movie is every bit as silly and over-the-top as it sounds, with Steve consistently grasping his head and wailing as he tries to fight off Gor’s nasty influence. It’s also hilarious to see the main character’s bizarre and inappropriate behavior shrugged off by those around as the general quirks of being a scientist. There’s also a wonderfully strange plot element introduced when another alien brain named Vol arrives. He explains to Sally and her father (Thomas Browne Henry) that he has been hunting Gor down as a criminal, then asks the pair to help him get close to the villain by possessing Sally’s dog. The movie is an absurd delight and a wild ride from beginning to end. And, of all three movies included on the disc, this one has the cleanest and more striking picture.
The third feature on the disc is The Hideous Sun Demon, another enjoyably bonkers monster movie. This film teaches us not to drink on the job, especially while doing research on radioactive isotopes. Dr. Gilbert McKenna (Robert Clarke), who has a reputation for boozing it up, learns this lesson the hard way when he awakens in a hospital after accidentally dropping equipment and exposing himself to radiation. Gil initially seems fine, but it soon becomes evident that when the sun’s rays hit him, he reverts and transforms into a violent, prehistoric reptile figure. Returning to normal at night, the scientist goes on the run, gets involved with a mobster’s moll and ends up in even more trouble as the police pursue him. As Gil’s transformations extend longer and longer, he causes more danger to the public and himself.
This title features memorable, if rubbery, monster make-up and plenty of amusing scenes of Gil running around and terrorizing the public. In between bits where he turns into the title creature, sequences involving the lead drowning his sorrows at a bar are a lot of fun. This includes him romancing a piano player/singer (Nan Peterson) with an unusual performing style. There’s plenty of action in the feature as well as a memorable climax which suggests that one should never ask a child for assistance when running from the law.
In all, this disc is a blast. While far from perfect, it features much improved picture quality on the features. And the three titles themselves are engaging and entertaining to watch. Drive-In Retro Classics: Science Fiction Triple Feature comes heartily recommended and this reviewer can’t wait to check out the next collection of enjoyably and sometimes inadvertently charming genre B-pictures.