Mention the name Republic Pictures to any movie buff and Westerns immediately come to mind. Gene Autrey, Roy Rogers, and even John Wayne had some of their earliest roles there. After WW II they sprang for bigger budgets and non-Westerns like THE QUIET MAN (w/John Wayne) and even Orson Welles’ 1948 version of MACBETH. They almost never ventured into the horror/sci-fi genre with the exception of this film and its companion piece, the much better known giant grasshopper film THE BEGINNING OF THE END. Both were released in 1957.
THE UNEARTHLY (shot under the title HOUSE OF MONSTERS which makes more sense) is a throwback to the mad scientist films of the 1930s and 40s rather than the giant creature films (like its double bill partner) that were popular at the time. John Carradine was a natural for the lead role having played B movie mad doctors many times before. It bears a strong resemblance to THE BLACK SLEEP which was released the year before. That film had an all star horror cast (including Carradine) but was set in the 19th century.
The basic plot recalls THE MAN IN HALF MOON STREET from 1944 in which a doctor is trying to perfect an eternal youth formula by using glands. Setting THE UNEARTHLY in the (then) present saved money (no costumes or elaborate sets) and was easier for a contemporary audience to identify with. In addition to Carradine the film also features B movie legend Allison Hayes (ATTACK OF THE 50 FOOT WOMAN), Ed Wood’s hulking Tor Johnson and B movie regular Myron Healy as a patient who is not what he seems.
The big surprise for me and a pleasant one was how effective the production values are. The movie is well photographed, the lighting is consistent and the dialogue is not bad. It also has restrained performances without undue histrionics which rarely happens in this genre. Most B movie fans will probably find this boring, but I do not. The story is routine but by playing it straight, it has a greater impact. The relationship between the doctor and his nurse (Marilyn Bufferd) is well handled and believable.
Of course we already know the ending (the mad doctor never gets away with it) but the tragic fate of the patients especially beautiful Sally Todd as Natalie is something to behold. The surprise “shock” ending is lifted directly from THE BLACK SLEEP although not as violent. MYSTERY SCIENCE THEATER 3000 had their usual snarkfest with THE UNEARTHLY a few years back but it deserves better. While no classic it did keep me engaged and this Image Entertainment DVD has outstanding picture quality.
Having recently retired after a 36 year career as a Public Radio announcer, I am now re-viewing the classic 1950s B movies which captivated me as a child. They still bring me just as much enjoyment now as they did then but in a different way. Blu Rays and DVDs allow me to see them in much better condition than originally as long as I avoid the cheap copies and that applies to streaming too. I know it’s my age but I’ll take these 7 day, $100,000 wonders over the current multi-million dollar superhero extravaganzas any day
The Capsule Critic 