Piece of Mind: “The Brain From Planet Arous” (1957)

WHAT’S ON YOUR MIND, BUB? In this Wellesian moment from “The Brain From Planet Arous” (there’s a reference point you probably never thought you’d hear), the schizophrenic splitting of Steve’s mind is given graphic visual representation moments before the monster completely supplants his human instincts and he rises from the waters like a mythic Kracken; a startling (or amusing, depending on your mood) moment so vivid, director Nathan Hertz replicated in his later “Attack of the 50 Foot Woman”, although in that manifestation, without the appropriate symbolic context.

       It’s a sub grade-B 1950’s science fiction movie. It takes place in a remote desert location. It features a ludicrous monster, ludicrous science and alien concepts that might embarrass all but the hardiest of actor’s constitutions, resistant to easy career humiliation. It must be a John Agar film!

     “The Brain From Planet Arous” is brought to you by that same directorial talent which unleashed the similarly difficult to describe SF “thriller”, the domestic divorce melodrama/giant semi-transparent (due to terrible optical effects work) space alien/giant floppy rubber hand (due to terrible physical effects work) epic “Attack of the 50 Foot Woman”, Nathan Hertz, the professional alias of director Nathan Juran, used to masquerade his participation in film projects lacking the art house stature of his “The Deadly Mantis”, “Hellcats of the Navy” and “The Boy Who Cried Werewolf”.

To read the complete review- Gor commands it -simply click the following link to:  https://chandlerswainreviews.wordpress.com/chandler-swain-reviews-drive-in-cinema-2/