The Brain from Planet Arous (1957)

When a flying brain the size of Stewie Griffin's head comes down from the mysterious planet Arous, it strives to take over the world and inserts itself in the bodies of various nuclear scientists (including John Agar) in an effort to do so. Like many an alien invader, it demands the presence of representatives of all the major countries of the world in order to show its power (blowing things up instantly with a look of its evil eye) in an effort to rule not just the earth but the universe as a whole. The brain monster is actually very frightening looking, certainly one of the most powerful and less silly looking creatures of the plethora of science fiction/horror movies of the late 1950's and 60's. When the brain is on, flying around (after first being seen in a brain-made cave) and speaking in English, the film is gripping if still unbelievable. Joyce Meadows and Robert Fuller are also prominently featured, and like any good actor in a silly science fiction film, they do their best to take everything seriously and not let it come off as tongue-in-cheek. Still, the whole premise and conclusion (especially the presence of a small brain from Arous in Agar's devoted dog) is somewhat silly, giving this a cult following and a major place in science fiction film history that makes it a must as long as the audience is aware of what it is getting itself into for 69 minutes.

Director Nathan Hertz tried his best to make a quality Monster movie, but being restricted by resources and a limited budget, he left us with a this B- Picture. Upon viewing it, many audiences responded with giggles, laughter and considerable derision. For others who watched with interest, this was not that bad a Sci-fi effort. O.K. so it wasn't top notch, it did have a credible leading man John Agar who plays Steve March and a somewhat constricted, albeit hooky script. Joyce Meadows plays pretty Sally Fallon the love interest with Robert Fuller as Dan Murphy holding down the rest of the cast. The story as weak as it is, tells of a Giant Brain invading Earth and seeking a planet where he hope to create a superior species and a base for Universal conquest. It is learned, although the invading Brain is criminal in nature, he is soon followed by a second equally Powerful Brain out to thwart his plan. The movie is standard Black and White in plot and if one doesn't expect too much will entertain any attentive child. For an early 1950's Science fiction movie, it still made it to many Monster Magazines of the day. Today it's considered an early Monster classic. Recommended to the Child in all movie goers. **

This film has a reputation as one of the all-time stinkers, a reputation that it in no way deserves. How many stars should i give it? At least eight, but should I go as high as nine? Or even ten? Arguably it DOES deserve ten stars, as it compares favorably with such fifties sci fi classics as "Earth vs the Flying Saucers" (a definite "ten" film in my book). I've seen most of the John Agar science fiction films and i'm quite impressed with them. The man does reign as one of the great sci fi film icons of the fifties and sixties. Most of his sci fi films follow a formula. The idea is to contrast the charming Mr. Agar, the epitome of Midwestern normality, with the outrageous, literally out-of-this world goings-on featured in these pictures. And this formula almost always works. This time it's disembodied brains from outer space, a "good" brain and an "evil" one. The evil one ends up residing in Agar's body, so the actor ends up giving TWO performances in essence. He acts as his usual self, and as a maniacal power-crazed version of himself. (Picture McLean Stevenson playing the role of an out-and-out villain.) "Arous" has developed a cult following, but for all the wrong reasons. It shouldn't be noteworthy for being bad. It should be remembered as a very successful example of fifties-style formula science fiction.

I was looking for a very early Leonard Nimoy film appearance and found this corny gem. I have enjoyed Mr. Agar in all his roles and films. I know he was made a star as the on-screen husband of Shirley Temple in Henry Fonda/John Ford film called Fort Apache. (Fort was filmed in Simi Valley's Corriganville theme park of the 50 & 60's.) Temple and Agar became a real life couple, soon after. This film is very reminiscent of many 'aliens landing in the desert' films made on the 50's. But the interesting twist is that the alien brains shown in this film. The alien brain is almost laughable to see in the broad daylight scenes. The brain seems to be made out of a floating brain looking beach-ball with large pair of monster's menacing eyes plastered on the frontal lobes. The plot is well acted out and the ending twist involving another alien chasing the evil brain is nice. The gimmick of the alien good brain living in the body of Jon Agar's personal friendly dog gives the story something different and unique to experience near the end. Fun to experience.