Donovan's Brain
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Movie Reviews of Donovan's Brain
Movie Review: A Man And His Brain...
Summary: 4 Stars
The Evil multi-millionaire, W.H. Donovan is in a plane, flying to his next destination of dastardly deeds, when suddenly the plane crashes! Donovan is the sole survivor, barely alive, unable to last more than a few more minutes, but who will carry on his selfish agenda if he dies? Luckily, there's a scientist nearby named Dr. Patrick Cory, who just so happens to be experimenting with a monkey brain in his lab. Cory's been keeping the little simian brain "alive" in a tank of icky water by sticking electrodes into it. Now, with the help of his wife Jan (Nancy Davis) and a fellow doctor (Gene Evans), Cory tosses out the monkey brain, replacing it with Donovan's gray matter! The brain is successfully saved, floating peacefully in it's new aquarium habitat, when shockingly, it begins pulsating, glowing eerily, and growing to the size of a wrinkly, 20-pound ham! Cory is possessed by W.H. Donovan's mind, and begins flying all over the country, closing out bank accounts, blackmailing politicians, killing nosey, blackmailing reporters; and getting his (Donovan's) life in order. Back at the lab, Jan is hurriedly trying to concoct a way to help her husband get un-Donovanized. Will she succeed, or will the devilish Donovan destroy her marriage along with everyone in his path? DONOVAN'S BRAIN is classic cerebral sci-fi at it's best...Movie Review: Cool 50's "Brain" Flick
Summary: 4 Stars
This is a neat movie based on Curt Siodmak's novel about Dr. Pat Cory (Lew Ayers), his assistant Dr. Frank Shratt (Gene Evans), and his wife Jan (Nancy Davis, who would later become First Lady, Nancy Reagan) experimenting on a monkey's brain, trying to keep it alive on its own, when an airplane crash happens near by. Requiring the doctor's assistance, he uses his house to perform an operation on the only survivor, the multi-millionaire Warren Donovan. This fails, but Cory hits upon the idea of using Donovan's brain for his experiments, with some unexpected results.
This isn't a gory movie by any means, but it is very effective with good performances all around.
The print that was used for the DVD is very clear and detailed, which sometimes shows the movie's shortcomings (some inferior stock footage for a car crash sequence and a poorly "matted" rain shot).
This budget DVD comes with a theatrical trailer and is closed captioned. If you're a sci-fi fan, I highly recommend it.
Movie Review: Pretty Good Entertainment
Summary: 4 Stars
I was recently in a book store and saw the audio tape version of Donovan's Brain. As I was taking a trip across the US, I thought it would be fun to listen to Curt Siodmak's novel. I listened to it three times. When I got to my destination, I checked Amazon to see if the movie was available on DVD. It was. I ordered it. I watched it several times noting that the movie version generally followed the novel. The movie stands up pretty well against comtemporaneous competition. It's not in the same class as Citizen Kane or The Godfather, but it's pretty good entertainment. The script, acting, direction and cinematography (although black and white) all work together to bring a B movie into the A category. It beats most of today's movies that have access to far larger budgets and far better technology.Movie Review: Tidy little sci fi flick won't disappoint...
Summary: 4 Stars
Although a modern film might take pains to make the pseudo-science sound plausible - enough to induce that mental condition known as "the willing suspension of disbelief" - nevertheless we recognize 1950's sci fi for what it is and happily go along for the ride. And what a ride! Lew Ayres and Nancy Reagan (then Nancy Davis, who had just completed working on Hell Cats of the Navy with Ronald Reagan) put in fine performances in a movie that holds our attention for the duration. A suitable entry into a series called "MGM midnite movies," this brain-in-a-tank classic will delight genre fans.Movie Review: Noir Meets Sci-Fi
Summary: 4 Stars
This unique movie is something of a synthesis between 1940s film noir and 1950s science fiction---only the criminal mastermind is a disembodied brain! Straddling the line between serious crime story and creature-feature camp, "Donovan's Brain" can be appreciated for either quality, wherein lies its appeal. There's a tax-evasion scheme involving the Feds and a sinister plot to take over the world using mind control. As for the DVD itself, the Midnite Movies print is mint, except for some noticeable but brief deterioration in the stock-footage scenes.