Fiend Without A Face

Tonight's Svengoolie film was a better made and acted creation than last week and maybe somewhat less silly. OTOH, the ultimate "spoiler" (Sven was particularly concerned there) turned out to be silly looking brain creations. But, the rather ridiculous explanation aside, the film itself was pretty well put together and the "invisible" danger was rather creepy. 

[I will now add some more commentary, including a bonus film.]

The movie fits in the overall brain experiments etc. plot into a 1950s context with the U.S. doing secret testing of a nuclear based aerial surveillance system outside of a small farm area in Canada. The locals blame them for problems with the milk (the cows eventually adapt to the noise) and later the strange deaths. The military stuff is handled pretty well without a big budget. Though the hubris of the scientist is truly the problem here, the nuclear power provides an opening for the problems.

So, the film in a fashion had shades of other films (especially in Japan) that suggested the at times unexpected problems with nuclear power. OTOH, once the brains are destroyed, like last week, the locals are shown to be ready to pro-American. So, there is also a pro-U.S. bias involved here too, even if the film takes advantage of topical fears.  The balance is better here than last week as well with smarter locals (they are not as off as it seems) and less stereotypical Americans.  But, related dynamic.

There is a copy of this film with commentary and other materials available in the NYPL and it might be interesting to get some more background.  Generally, films can be seen as an expression of the time as well as telling more than merely the basic story.  It can be rewarding as well as interesting to examine them in this fashion.  The same can be said, for instance, about various 1980s films of various types.  And, films today.

One thing that is often a constant in these films is some sort of romantic aspect, at times heavy-handed and/or crowded out some of the other plot that many people want to see.  One thing that this does is provides a relatable way to find a connection to the characters and plot, perhaps feeling them as a sort of stand-in for you, the viewer.  In these films, the woman often is a scientist or otherwise professional type, such as the level-headed woman here who acted as the scientist's assistant. 

The concept in fan fiction of a reader stand-in, the "Mary Sue," is a sort of heavy example here.  It also provides something to take screen time as stuff happens (action can only fill so much time; horror movies, for instance, are often very exposition orientated).  Traditionally, women (and children) also are characters the viewer feels protective about.  And, it also might be a way for women viewers particularly to have someone to relate to.  

To toss it in, there are other tropes, including characters with a more flippant attitude about things (such as the hero's assistant here), who sometimes are the heroes as well.  Anyway, the film as a whole put all of this together in enjoyable 1950s monster movie fashion, including the heroine, who is shown on the movie poster in a towel (she has a shower scene! if a 1950s version and is so petite, the towel hides most everything).  Kim Hunter has a limited IMDB page, but seemed to me to have potential as a pretty good supporting actress in films of this nature.

One thing that often comes to play in these Svengoolie films is that the ending is somewhat lame.  There is a mix here, but after all the build up, the brains are kept at bay with handguns while the hero runs and blows up the control room (this is how to stop a nuclear reactor?) with what looks to be a rather small explosive device.  Admittedly, some final battles are a bit better.  And, here, noting the stop action work being impressive for the times and all, the brains were a tad silly.  Better off camera. 

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Bonus Film: I have noted here at times that Hallmark and UP TV romantic movies include some enjoyable content -- given how many there are, just the law of averages would suggest that (other channels also have such content, especially at Christmas time -- so, e.g., Lifetime).   

Some films are good enough that repeated viewing still is enjoyable.  Uncorked overall is one such film.  As is often the case, older familiar faces pop up, here as the male lead's parents.  Hey, it is Ross and Monica's dad!  And, he's charming here too.  The film is interesting in that there is a sizable lead-up, parallel stories, of the couple's stories before they start to have a relationship.  The woman has wide resume in other types of films.

Usual person of color (Asian) friend/colleague.  Spouse disposed of by death, often a single dad?  Check.  So, yes, various usual tropes.  But, good feel overall, including the workaholic business woman who wants more.  The film has an overall seriousness (including business matters) that also adds weight to things.  These films have some of that (many are simply light affairs)  and as with the Svengoolie films we can "deep dive" them as well.  Again, you can do that while still having fun with the films.