Donovan's Brain (1953)
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- Approved
- 1h 24min
- Sci-Fi, Horror
- 30 Sep 1953 (USA)
- Movie
Three scientists unlawfully remove the still living brain of a dead tycoon and experiment with it but the evil brain begins to telepathically control the lead scientist.
Director:
Writers:
Stars:
Award:
- 1 nomination.
- See more »
Photos and Videos
Cast verified as complete
| Lew Ayres | ... |
Dr. Patrick J. Cory
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| Gene Evans | ... |
Dr. Frank Schratt
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| Nancy Reagan | ... |
Janice Cory
(as Nancy Davis)
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| Steve Brodie | ... |
Herbie Yocum
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| Tom Powers | ... |
Donovan's Washington Advisor
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| Lisa Howard | ... |
Chloe Donovan
(as Lisa K. Howard)
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| James Anderson | ... |
Chief Tuttle
(as Kyle James)
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| Victor Sutherland | ... |
Nathaniel Fuller
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Michael Colgan | ... |
Tom Donovan
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| Peter Adams | ... |
Mr. Webster
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| Harlan Warde | ... |
Treasury Agent Brooke
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| Shimen Ruskin | ... |
Tailor
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| Rest of cast listed alphabetically: | |||
| Don Brodie | ... |
Detective Who Follows Dr. Cory from Hotel (uncredited)
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William Cottrell | ... |
Dr. Crane (uncredited)
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| John Hamilton | ... |
Mr. MacNish, Bank Manager (uncredited)
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| Sam Harris | ... |
Man leaving Fuller's Office (uncredited)
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Paul Hoffman | ... |
Mr. Smith, Treasury Dept. (uncredited)
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| Stapleton Kent | ... |
W. J. Higgins (uncredited)
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Faith Langley | ... |
Fuller's Receptionist (uncredited)
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Mark Lowell | ... |
Allied Supply Clerk (uncredited)
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| Frank McLure | ... |
Man leaving Fuller's Office (uncredited)
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Walter Merrill | ... |
Town House Desk Clerk (uncredited)
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| Charles Sullivan | ... |
Auto Passenger at Accident Scene (uncredited)
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| Max Wagner | ... |
Station Agent (uncredited)
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Katherine Yorke | ... |
Woman in Bank (uncredited)
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Directed by
| Felix E. Feist | ... | (directed by) (as Felix Feist) |
Written by
| Curt Siodmak | ... | (novel "Donovan's Brain") |
| Hugh Brooke | ... | (adapted by) |
| Felix E. Feist | ... | (screenplay) (as Felix Feist) |
Produced by
| Allan Dowling | ... | executive producer (uncredited) |
| Tom Gries | ... | producer |
| Herbert L. Strock | ... | associate producer (uncredited) |
Music by
| Eddie Dunstedter | ||
Cinematography by
| Joseph F. Biroc | ... | director of photography (as Joseph Biroc) |
Editing by
| Herbert L. Strock | ||
Production Design by
| Boris Leven | ||
Set Decoration by
| Edward G. Boyle | ||
Makeup Department
| Ruby Felker | ... | hair stylist |
| Terry Miles | ... | makeup artist |
Production Management
| Ben Chapman | ... | production supervisor |
Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
| Jack R. Berne | ... | assistant director |
Art Department
| Jack Golconda | ... | props |
Sound Department
| Bill Naylor | ... | sound effects editor |
| Earl Snyder | ... | sound mixer |
| Elden Ruberg | ... | sound recordist (uncredited) |
Special Effects by
| Harry Redmond Jr. | ... | special effects |
| Franz Dallons | ... | props (uncredited) |
| Oscar Dallons | ... | props (uncredited) |
| Paul Dallons | ... | props (uncredited) |
Costume and Wardrobe Department
| Chuck Keehne | ... | wardrobe: men |
Music Department
| Eddie Dunstedter | ... | conductor |
Script and Continuity Department
| Mary Chaffee | ... | script supervisor |
Additional Crew
| Allan Dowling | ... | presenter |
| Herbert L. Strock | ... | assistant to producer |
Production Companies
Distributors
- United Artists (1953) (United States) (theatrical)
- United Artists (1953) (United Kingdom) (theatrical)
- MGM/UA Home Entertainment (1987) (United States) (VHS)
- MGM Home Entertainment (2001) (United States) (VHS)
- MGM Home Entertainment (2001) (United States) (DVD)
- L'Atelier 13 (2009) (Spain) (DVD)
- Kino Lorber (2015) (United States) (DVD)
- Kino Lorber (2015) (United States) (Blu-ray)
- Simply Media (2015) (United Kingdom) (DVD)
- i-catcher media (2020) (Germany) (DVD)
- i-catcher media (2020) (Germany) (Blu-ray)
- Image Entertainment (1989) (United States) (video) (laserdisc)
- René Malo Vidéo (1987) (Canada) (VHS) (Quebec)
Special Effects
Other Companies
- Kuppenheimer (wardrobe)
Storyline
| Plot Summary |
Dr. Patrick "Pat" J. Cory is researching brains with his assistant and friend Dr. Frank Schratt and his wife Janice Cory through experiments with monkeys in a laboratory in his house. When an airplane crashes nearby his house, there is only one near-death survivor, the millionaire Warren H. Donovan that is brought still alive to his care. However Donovan dies and Dr. Cory decides to use his brain in his experiment keeping it alive in a tank. Pat, Schratt and Janice research about the life of Donovan and they discover that he was a ruthless and evil man. Soon Donovan's brain imposes his personality to Dr. Cory and possesses him to get rid of his enemies and to live again in his body. Schratt and Janice sees the transformation of Dr. Cory and plan to destroy the brain. Will they succeed in their intent? Written by Claudio Carvalho, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil |
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| Taglines | A dead man's brain in a hidden laboratory told him to ... kill ... kill ... kill ... kill ... kill ... See more » |
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| Parents Guide | Add content advisory for parents » |
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Additional Details
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Did You Know?
| Trivia | Dr. Cory, under the control of the brain, makes out a list showing several false identities under which Donovan has hidden money around the country. The first four names on the list are actual names of crew members: production supervisor H.B. Chapman, production designer Boris Leven, assistant director Jack R. Berne (on list as "Jack Byrne") and set decorator Edward Boyle. The fifth name, Fred Russell, is that of a popular sports writer of the early 1950s. See more » |
| Goofs | At one point, Frank (Gene Evans) states "Pat made that recording while the brain was destroying Yocum." However, in the final edited version of the movie, Pat (Dr. Cory, played by Lew Ayres) makes his recording several days before Yocum is killed. See more » |
| Movie Connections | Featured in Donovan's Brain (1963). See more » |
| Quotes |
Dr. Patrick J. Cory:
Perhaps I'll cure Frank and every other alcoholic if I can solve the mystery of Donovan's Brain. I think it's a matter of chemistry how the brain thinks. The problem is to find out what chemical combinations are responsible for success... failure... happiness... misery. Janice Cory: Sounds impossible. Dr. Patrick J. Cory: But it is not. It can't be. There has to be a way. See more » |