Donovan's brain
| Movie | |
|---|---|
| German title | Donovan's brain |
| Original title | Donovan's Brain |
| Country of production | United States |
| original language | English |
| Publishing year | 1953 |
| length | 83 minutes |
| Age rating | FSK 12 |
| Rod | |
| Director | Felix E. Feist |
| script |
Hugh Brooke , Felix A. Feist |
| production |
Allan Dowling , Tom Gries at United Artists |
| music | Eddie Dunstedter |
| camera | Joseph F. Biroc |
| cut | Herbert L. Strock |
| occupation | |
| |
Donovan's Brain is an American horror film from 1953 directed by Felix E. Feist with Lew Ayres in the lead role. It is based on the novel Donovan's Brain by Curt Siodmak from 1942. The film never appeared in German cinemas, but on October 2, 1992 on television.
action
The scientist Dr. Patrick Cory lives secluded with his wife Janice in a mountain cave. There Cory tries to keep a monkey's brain alive after separating it from its head. Scientific studies are interrupted when wealthy businessman William Donovan's plane crashes near the mountain cave. The survivors ask for Cory's help because Donovan is badly injured, but he is unable to save his life. Cory secretly steals the brain of the late Donovan. The body is dead, but Cory manages to keep Donovan's brain alive in an electrical solution. When Cory writes messages in Donovan's handwriting while he is asleep, the scientist believes that Donovan's consciousness still exists in his brain.
Dr. Cory tries to communicate with the brain, but after a while assumes characteristics of it - smoking cigars, limping, but also inconsiderate behavior towards other people. His wife Janice and assistant Frank Schratt suspect that Donovan's consciousness is telepathically trying to gain control over Dr. Cory to win. Newspaper photographer Yocum, meanwhile, discovers that Cory got Donovan's brain under illegal circumstances. He demands that Cory keep silent. Donovan's Brain then also takes control of Yocum's brain, forcing him in a fatal car accident. Dr. Meanwhile, Cory is making a fortune as he is now almost completely ruled by businessman Donovan. Janice and Frank discover, however, that Donovan can only control one person at a time, on what they base their plan for destroying the brain. The plan goes awry as Frank is forced by the brain to shoot itself. After some fighting, a fire breaks out in the Cory's house, the brain burns and Dr. Cory regains control of his senses, Janice and Frank can also save themselves. Because of his illegal machinations, Dr. Cory now answer to the court.
background
The original author Curt Siodmak was initially supposed to take over the direction, but was replaced at the last moment by Felix A. Feist. The female lead in the rather cheaply produced B-movie took on Nancy Reagan , later the First Lady of the USA at the side of her husband Ronald Reagan .
Reviews
Donovan's brain today receives mostly mixed to positive reviews. Leonard Maltin called it a competent production despite modest production conditions and gave the film three out of four stars. The lexicon of international films wrote: “Conventional horror film as a variation on the theme of the mad scientist who falls victim to his manic research.” The All Movie Guide called it “by far the most effective and cleverest implementation” of Siodmak's novel, and it was an exciting one , creepy atmosphere in the film without it drifting into ridiculousness.
Web links
- Donovan's brain in the Internet Movie Database (English)
- Photos of scenes on cinema.de
Individual evidence
- ^ Leonard Maltin: Donovan's Brain. In: Turner Classic Movies . Retrieved November 10, 2018 .
- ↑ Donovan's brain. In: Lexicon of International Films . Film service , accessed November 10, 2018 .
- ^ Cavett Binion: Donovan's Brain. In: All Movie Guide. Retrieved November 10, 2018 .