The Manster (1959)

dir. George P. Breakston and Kenneth G. Crane


You thought I was through with the two-headed-monster films, didn't you? Didn't you? Well, you can't stop me. No. Nothing can stop me. Nothing, I tells ya. Nothing. Mwhaa ha ha ha. Anyway, just when I thought all that was worth covering two-headed-monster-films-wise was covered here at the old KL5-FILM, the Japanese/American co-production The Manster had to come along a bunch of decades ago and bitch-slap the shit out of me.

Although by no means uncampy, The Manster exists—as much as any film containing a two-headed monster can—closer to the real world than those lovable 70s flicks on the subject I reviewed months prior. Honestly, despite all its cheapo trappings, The Manster is actually not that bad a flick. Though occasionally laughable, it is of a piece with the numerous high-minded sci-fi movies produced in the 50s. And at 71 minutes it never overstays its welcome.

Larry Stanford (Peter Dyneley), an American reporter working as a foreign correspondent in Japan, goes to visit mad scientist Robert Suzuki (Tetsu Nakamura), a man who boasts that his lab is powered entirely by the energy of the local volcano. (Note to reporters investigating scientists: It’s never a good sign when said scientists boastfully point to the fact their lab is powered by the awesome fury contained in the hellish bowels of Satan’s lair. Yeah, don’t trust anyone who’s off the grid.) While chatting with the good doctor mad scientist over a glass of scotch, Stanford gets roofied by the scientist, who then injects him with a serum that will eventually sprout a head from Stanford's shoulder. Because that's how science works.

Oh yeah, there's the dickishness—the serum also turns Stanford into a dick. Specifically, he fails to listen to the concerns of his America-bound wife when chatting with her on the phone.

["There are three of me watching myself."]

It isn’t long before Stanford enters super-cheating-on-his-wife-with-random-Geishas mode.

["Oh no, we love waiting hand and foot on over-privileged Americans. This is a dream job."]

And then Stanford goes to a monk for some guidance/monk-killing.

["Oh. My. Dear. God. Your bald cap is rejecting your head."]

All before finally sprouting a new head, eye first.

["Cute little thing. I think I'll name him Baby Ash."]

And then he runs amok, killing people, until tiring of it at which point he decides to do in his maker, the mad scientist.

["You look upset. Is this about that styrofoam head I superglued to your shoulder? You can't expect me not to superglue styrofoam heads to your shoulder after you get drunk and pass out. Sheesh, I thought you could take a joke."]

And then he decides to escape before the authorities arrive.

["Watch out, that miniature volcano is pissing a sparkler."]

And then the styrofoam head begins to separate from Stanford.

["I swear this isn't what it looks like."]

And then Stanford throws the separated creature into the volcano.

And then the movie ends after 71 minutes. 'Nuff said.

[Double-Feature trailer with The Horror Chamber of Dr. Faustus:]


Dave's Rating: