- For the episode, see MST3K 808 - The She-Creature.
The She-Creature is a 1956 supernatural film that was directed by Edward L. Cahn and written by Lou Rusoff (from an original idea by Jerry Zigmond).
Plot[]
Dr. Carlo Lombardi, an unscrupulous mentalist, infiltrates high society by giving exhibitions of past-life regression. He uses his abilities to call forth a monster from the sea that kills at his instruction.
A legitimate researcher who is engaged to marry the daughter of Lombardi's wealthy new business partner begins to investigate. He becomes enamored of Lombardi's assistant (who is also Lombardi's pawn) and becomes determined to free her from Lombardi's influence.
Cast[]
- Lance Fuller as Dr. Ted Erickson
- Chester Morris as Dr. Carlo Lombardi
- Marla English as Andrea
- Tom Conway as Timothy Chappel
- Cathy Downs as Dorothy Chappel
- Paul Dubov as Johnny
- Frank Jenks as Detective Sergeant
- William Hudson as Bob
Notes[]
- The monster costume was created by high-regarded make-up artist Paul Blaisdell (who also wore it).
- The story was inspired by the success of the best-selling book The Search for Bridey Murphy, which concerned hypnotism. Exhibitor Jerry Zigmond suggested this subject might make a good film, and AIP commissioned Lou Rusoff to write a script.
- AIP did not have enough money to entirely finance the film, so the company asked Alex Gordon if he could contribute the remainder. Israel Berman, a colleague of Gordon's brother Richard, knew a financier called Jack Doppelt, who agreed to provide $40,000 of the film's $104,000 budget.
- Edward Cahn reportedly persuaded his friend Edward Arnold to play the hypnotist for $3,000 for one week's work, and also cast Peter Lorre. Arnold died two days before production, prompting Lorre to read the script, after which he pulled out of the film. The producer had to find a substitute cast quickly.
The She-Creature
- King is portrayed by the same dog featured in Old Yeller.
MST3K Connections[]
- Writer Lou Rusoff was also writer for It Conquered the World and Day the World Ended.
- Tom Conway also portrayed Dr. Feodor Orloff in 12 to the Moon.
- Cathy Downs also portrayed Carol Forrest in The Amazing Colossal Man.
- Lance Fuller also portrayed Brack in This Island Earth.
- Frank Jenks also portrayed the truck driver in The Amazing Colossal Man.
- Paul Dubov also portrayed Radek in Day the World Ended.
- William Hudson also portrayed Dr. Paul Linstrom in The Amazing Colossal Man.
- Jack Mulhall (Lombardi's lawyer) also portrayed Lt. Andrews in Undersea Kingdom.
- Edward Earle (Professor Anderson) also portrayed the judge in I Accuse My Parents.
- Luana Walters (party guest) also portrayed Pat Hunter in The Corpse Vanishes.
- Costume designer and wearer Paul Blaisdell also designed the monster costumes in It Conquered the World, Teenage Cave Man, and Day the World Ended, designed props used in The Amazing Colossal Man, Earth vs the Spider, and Teenagers from Outer Space, and portrayed a corpse in The Undead.
- Edmund Cobb (police sergeant Pete) also portrayed an army sergeant in The Phantom Creeps and Dr. McDermott in The Amazing Colossal Man.
- Franklyn Farnum (party guest) also portrayed an Atlantis official in Undersea Kingdom and a man from Omaha in Invasion USA.
- Joe Gilbert (party guest) also portrayed a wedding guest in The Corpse Vanishes, a bar patron in Jungle Goddess, and a tourist in line in Invasion USA.
- Stuart Holmes (party guest) also portrayed a reporter in Rocketship X-M.
- Harold Miller (party guest) also portrayed an official in The Amazing Colossal Man and a party guest in I Accuse My Parents.
- Barry Norton (party guest) also portrayed a reporter in Rocketship X-M.
- Norman Stevans (party guest) also portrayed a passenger in SST- Death Flight.
- Executive producer Samuel Z. Arkoff was also executive producer for The Amazing Colossal Man, It Conquered the World, Earth vs the Spider, Teenage Cave Man, The Saga of the Viking Women and Their Voyage to the Waters of the Great Sea Serpent, War of the Colossal Beast, Gunslinger, The Incredible Melting Man, Day the World Ended, Terror from the Year 5000, and Squirm, as well as producer for Bride of the Monster, I Was a Teenage Werewolf, Reptilicus, The Time Travelers, The Land That Time Forgot, At the Earth's Core, and Circus of Horrors.
- Producer Alex Gordon was also writer for Bride of the Monster and executive producer for Day the World Ended.
- Producer James H. Nicholson was also executive producer for The Amazing Colossal Man, It Conquered the World, Earth vs the Spider, Teenage Cave Man, The Saga of the Viking Women and Their Voyage to the Waters of the Great Sea Serpent, War of the Colossal Beast, Gunslinger, Day the World Ended, Terror from the Year 5000, and I Was a Teenage Werewolf.
- Composer Ronald Stein was also composer for It Conquered the World, The Girl in Lovers Lane, Gunslinger (in which he was also musical director), Day the World Ended, and The Undead, as well as stock music composer for Attack of the the Eye Creatures.
- Cinematographer Frederick E. West was also cinematographer for It Conquered the World, Swamp Diamonds, and Gunslinger.
- Editor Ronald Sinclair was also editor for The Amazing Colossal Man, The Saga of the Viking Women and Their Voyage to the Waters of the Great Sea Serpent, Swamp Diamonds, and Day the World Ended, editorial supervisor for Earth vs the Spider, and both for War of the Colossal Beast.
- Set decorator Harry Reif was also set decorator for Women of the Prehistoric Planet, Bride of the Monster, and Day the World Ended, as well as set dresser for Radar Secret Service.
- Makeup artist Jack Dusick was also makeup artist for Bloodlust!.
- Production supervisor and assistant director Bartlett A. Carre was also production manager for Swamp Diamonds, production supervisor for Day the World Ended, and assistant director for Gunslinger.
- Property master Karl Brainard was also property master for It Conquered the World, Teenage Cave Man, The Saga of the Viking Women and Their Voyage to the Waters of the Great Sea Serpent, Night of the Blood Beast, Day the World Ended, and The Undead.
- Ben Winkler was also sound mixer for War of the Colossal Beast and sound technician for Swamp Diamonds.
- Costumer Marjorie Corso was also costumer for Earth vs the Spider, Teenage Cave Man, and Bloodlust!, as well as wardrobe supervisor for Tormented.