The Brain That Wouldn't Die
Encyclopedia
The Brain That Wouldn't Die, also known as The Head That Wouldn't Die, is a 1962 science-fiction
/horror film
directed by Joseph Green and written by Green and Rex Carlton. The film was completed in 1959 under the title The Black Door, but was not released until May 3, 1962, when it was renamed. The main plot focuses upon a mad scientist who develops a means to keep human body parts alive. He must eventually use his discovery on someone close to him, and chaos ensues.
) is a successful scientist with a beautiful fiancée named Jan Compton (Virginia Leith
). After a horrible car accident decapitates Jan, Dr. Cortner collects her severed head and rushes it to his laboratory, where he revives it and manages to keep it alive in a liquid-filled tray.
Cortner now decides to commit murder to obtain an attractive new body to attach to his fiancée's head. As he hunts for a suitable specimen, Jan begins to hatch some murderous plans of her own. Filled with hatred for Cortner because he won't let her die, she communicates telepathically
with a hideous mutant in the laboratory cell, telling it to kill the scientist.
The mutant monster begins by killing the doctor's assistant; after feeding the monster and doing some general cleanup around the laboratory, he unwittingly stands before the hatch in the door of the monster's cell/closet (which he accidentally left unlocked), whereupon the monster thrusts his giant arm through and tears the assistant to pieces.
After searching for some suitable subjects, Cortner brings one to his residence and, drugging her drink so that she loses consciousness, carries her down to the lab. Jan protests when Cortner explains his plan to transplant her head onto this new body, and he summarily tapes her mouth shut. Once again, the scientist stands in front of the door to the monster's cell, with the hatch, once again, open. This time, the monster grabs the scientist through the door and, securing him in a headlock, applies such force that the door is torn from its hinges. We finally see the monster, which other than its bloodstained clothes and its seven-foot height has a horribly deformed head (obviously the result of various failed transplants and/or other surgeries). At the end, the laboratory is seen to be ablaze; Cortner lies dead on the floor and the monster has carried the girl away to safety. As the lab goes up in flames, Jan says "I told you to let me die." The film goes to black while Jan cackles maniacally.
Science fiction film
Science fiction film is a film genre that uses science fiction: speculative, science-based depictions of phenomena that are not necessarily accepted by mainstream science, such as extraterrestrial life forms, alien worlds, extrasensory perception, and time travel, often along with futuristic...
/horror film
Horror film
Horror films seek to elicit a negative emotional reaction from viewers by playing on the audience's most primal fears. They often feature scenes that startle the viewer through the means of macabre and the supernatural, thus frequently overlapping with the fantasy and science fiction genres...
directed by Joseph Green and written by Green and Rex Carlton. The film was completed in 1959 under the title The Black Door, but was not released until May 3, 1962, when it was renamed. The main plot focuses upon a mad scientist who develops a means to keep human body parts alive. He must eventually use his discovery on someone close to him, and chaos ensues.
Plot
Dr. Bill Cortner (Jason EversJason Evers
Jason Evers was an American actor.Evers was born Herb Evers in New York City, New York. After quitting high school to join the United States Army, Evers was so inspired by stars like John Wayne that he decided to try acting...
) is a successful scientist with a beautiful fiancée named Jan Compton (Virginia Leith
Virginia Leith
Virginia Leith is an American film and television actress.Born in Cleveland, Ohio, she starred in a few films, with her most productive period coming in the 1950s....
). After a horrible car accident decapitates Jan, Dr. Cortner collects her severed head and rushes it to his laboratory, where he revives it and manages to keep it alive in a liquid-filled tray.
Cortner now decides to commit murder to obtain an attractive new body to attach to his fiancée's head. As he hunts for a suitable specimen, Jan begins to hatch some murderous plans of her own. Filled with hatred for Cortner because he won't let her die, she communicates telepathically
Telepathy
Telepathy , is the induction of mental states from one mind to another. The term was coined in 1882 by the classical scholar Fredric W. H. Myers, a founder of the Society for Psychical Research, and has remained more popular than the more-correct expression thought-transference...
with a hideous mutant in the laboratory cell, telling it to kill the scientist.
The mutant monster begins by killing the doctor's assistant; after feeding the monster and doing some general cleanup around the laboratory, he unwittingly stands before the hatch in the door of the monster's cell/closet (which he accidentally left unlocked), whereupon the monster thrusts his giant arm through and tears the assistant to pieces.
After searching for some suitable subjects, Cortner brings one to his residence and, drugging her drink so that she loses consciousness, carries her down to the lab. Jan protests when Cortner explains his plan to transplant her head onto this new body, and he summarily tapes her mouth shut. Once again, the scientist stands in front of the door to the monster's cell, with the hatch, once again, open. This time, the monster grabs the scientist through the door and, securing him in a headlock, applies such force that the door is torn from its hinges. We finally see the monster, which other than its bloodstained clothes and its seven-foot height has a horribly deformed head (obviously the result of various failed transplants and/or other surgeries). At the end, the laboratory is seen to be ablaze; Cortner lies dead on the floor and the monster has carried the girl away to safety. As the lab goes up in flames, Jan says "I told you to let me die." The film goes to black while Jan cackles maniacally.
Popular culture
- The monster in the closet is played by Eddie CarmelEddie CarmelEddie Carmel was an entertainer with gigantism and subsequent acromegaly resulting from a pituitary adenoma. Popularly known as "The Jewish Giant", Carmel was billed at the height of 8 ft 9 in tall, though he may have more realistically been around 7 ft 6 ¾ in tall...
in his first "cinematic role". Carmel was a well-known IsraeliIsraelThe State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
-born circus attraction who worked under the name "The Jewish Giant". He is the subject of a photograph by Diane ArbusDiane ArbusDiane Arbus March 14, 1923 – July 26, 1971) was an American photographer and writer noted for black-and-white square photographs of "deviant and marginal people or of people whose normality seems ugly or surreal." A friend said that Arbus said that she was "afraid.....
entitled "The Jewish Giant at Home with His Parents in the Bronx, NY, 1970". - In the video game No One Lives Forever 2: A Spy In H.A.R.M.'s WayNo One Lives Forever 2: A Spy In H.A.R.M.'s Way-Source code:The source code for the game engine was released by Monolith Productions and Sierra Entertainment as part of the No One Lives Forever 2 Toolkit for "allowing you to create your own levels, models, music, sounds, and more, for MonoLith's FPS." It is available for download...
, two guards turned into "man crates" are having a conversation. One of them quotes the movie's most famous line ("Like all quantities, horror has its ultimate, and I am that!"), and the other recognizes it and adds, "I never thought I would ever relate to Jan in the Pan." - The film was featured on the nationally syndicated horror hostHorror hostHorror hosts are a particular type of television presenter, often tasked with presenting low-grade films to television audiences. This tradition is primarily American, though there have been a few international hosts over the years.-Film Packages:...
televisions Cinema InsomniaCinema InsomniaCinema Insomnia is a nationally syndicated American television series presented by horror host Mr. Lobo.- Format :Typically, Mr. Lobo opens each episode by promising to screen a well-known horror or science fiction classic ; however budgetary limitations, acts of God or other circumstances...
. The host segments revolved around the horror hostHorror hostHorror hosts are a particular type of television presenter, often tasked with presenting low-grade films to television audiences. This tradition is primarily American, though there have been a few international hosts over the years.-Film Packages:...
Mr. LoboMr. LoboErik Lobo better known by his stage name Mr. Lobo is an American artist and comedic actor best known as the horror host of the nationally syndicated American television series Cinema Insomnia.-Career :...
finding a suitable flower pot for his co-host and houseplant Miss Mittens. - The Brain that Woudn't Die was the first movie watched by Mike NelsonMike Nelson (character)Mike Nelson is a fictional character in the comedy science fiction television series Mystery Science Theater 3000. Portrayed by actor/head writer Michael J. Nelson, Mike is a likable, sometimes dim temp worker from Wisconsin who comes to work for the mad scientists Dr...
in Mystery Science Theater 3000Mystery Science Theater 3000Mystery Science Theater 3000 is an American cult television comedy series created by Joel Hodgson and produced by Best Brains, Inc., that ran from 1988 to 1999....
(episode 513). Jan in the Pan is the irreverent nickname given to the female lead by the characters on the show. - In the MTVMTVMTV, formerly an initialism of Music Television, is an American network based in New York City that launched on August 1, 1981. The original purpose of the channel was to play music videos guided by on-air hosts known as VJs....
series Scream Queens, the aspiring horror actresses re-enact the scene in which Jan voices her hatred for the doctor as part of a challenge. - On November 9, 2010, the band Black CardsBlack CardsBlack Cards is an American electropop band formed in July 2010 as Fall Out Boy bassist Pete Wentz's new main project following the group's indefinite break. The band is composed of vocalist Bebe Rexha, bassist Pete Wentz, drummer Spencer Peterson and guitarist Nate Patterson...
released a music video for their song "Club Called Heaven" based on this film. - The scene where the scientist is attacked by the monster appears during the Film Dub game on Whose Line Is It Anyway? (U.S. TV series)Whose Line Is It Anyway? (U.S. TV series)Whose Line is it Anyway? is a comedy improv show hosted by Drew Carey on ABC that ran from August 5, 1998 to September 4, 2004, and subsequently on ABC Family since 2005...
. - The movie first became a stage musical in October 2009 with The Brain That Wouldn't Die: A New Musical, produced at the Overtime Theater in San Antonio, Texas. The world premiere musical comedy was a collaboration between composer Phillip Luna (Fear Snakeface, Royal Punisher, Psychics, Worm, Def Space, and the legendary Taco Land house band, Shit City Dreamgirls) and writer/lyricist Jon Gillespie (Sheer Bloody Lunacy!, D.O.A. a Noir Musical). The show attracted sold-out audiences during its five-week run. , , , and .
- The movie inspired the musical stage production, The Brain That Wouldn't Die! In 3D!!! by T Sivak and E Gelman, that premiers at the New York Musical Theatre Festival in October 2011.
DVD releases
- An uncut, 35mm print was used in the Special Edition release by Synapse FilmsSynapse FilmsSynapse Films is a DVD/Blu-ray label owned and operated by Don May, Jr. and his business partners Jerry Chandler and Charles Fiedler. The company specializes in cult horror, science fiction, and exploitation films....
in 2002. Running 85 minutes, this version features more to the stripper cat fight, as well as shocking (for the time) gore. - The MST3K version of the film (along with the uncut version, included as a bonus feature) was released by Rhino Home VideoRhino EntertainmentRhino Entertainment Company is an American specialty record label and production company. It is owned by Warner Music Group.-History:Rhino was originally a novelty song and reissue company during the 1970s and 1980s, releasing compilation albums of pop, rock & roll, and rhythm & blues successes...
. - The Cinema InsomniaCinema InsomniaCinema Insomnia is a nationally syndicated American television series presented by horror host Mr. Lobo.- Format :Typically, Mr. Lobo opens each episode by promising to screen a well-known horror or science fiction classic ; however budgetary limitations, acts of God or other circumstances...
version was released on DVD by Apprehensive FilmsApprehensive FilmsApprehensive Films is an independent American film production and distribution company. Established in 1997 as a production company, Apprehensive Films' main focus was low-budget Grindhouse-inspired films shot in Super 8 mm film and 16 mm film. In 2006, Apprehensive Films became a DVD distributor...
.
External links
alternative link- JAN IN THE PAN: Soliloquies and Dyads in "The Brain That Wouldn't Die" (Essay in PostModernJoan.com: Film History, Theory and Musings)
- http://www.heavy.com/video/9300 Sarcastic mockucommentary by Sasha Tane from Accent On Film.
- The Brain That Wouldn't Die at LivestreamLivestreamLivestream, formerly known as Mogulus, is a live streaming video platform that allows users to view and broadcast video content using a camera and a computer through the internet...
- The Brain That Wouldn't Die on YouTubeYouTubeYouTube is a video-sharing website, created by three former PayPal employees in February 2005, on which users can upload, view and share videos....
- Monstrous Movie Music, a soundtrack label that released some library music used in "The Brain That Wouldn't Die" in 2008