Cast and Crew: Nathan Juran (Director); Jack P. Pierce (Makeup Artist)

What It’s About:  A fugitive alien criminal brain named Gor takes over the body of Earth scientist Steve March (John Agar) and plots to conquer the world.  The only thing that can stop Gor is another alien, Vol, who takes over Steve’s fiancé Sally’s (Joyce Meadows) dog and enlists her aid.  Can they stop Gor before it’s too late?

Why Watch it Today?: Nathan Juran, also known to fans of 1950s and 1960s sci-fi and fantasy films as Nathan Hertz, died ten years ago today.  I’ve had the pleasure of seeing today’s loopy example of the lower end of his work twice on the big screen, and it was a hit both times.  Juran won an Oscar for Art Decoration for How Green Was My Valley before leaving the film industry to work with the OSS during World War Two.  When he returned he began directing special effects oriented films, most famously Attack of the 50 Foot Woman.  Other highlights include The 7th Voyage of Sinbad, 20 Million Miles to Earth, The Deadly Mantis, and Jack the Giant Killer.