The Brain That Wouldn’t Die (1962)

The Brain That Wouldn’t Die
Directed by Joseph Green
Written by Joseph Green, original story by Green and Rex Carlton
1962/USA
Rex Carlton Productions
Repeat viewing/Amazon Prime

[box] Dr. Bill Cortner: Oh, come on now, Doris. Do I look like a maniac who goes around killing girls?[/box]

Not the best in the “brain-in-a-bottle” genre.

Dr. Bill Cortner is a hot-shot young surgeon.  His father cautions him against experimenting on humans but he disregards all advice.  He has been doing horrific operations at the family’s summer place.

Bill is engaged to surgical nurse Jan.  He is called out to the summer place to deal with an emergency and takes her with him.  He is driving way over the speed limit when he crashes into a barrier and down a cliff.  Bill is ejected from the car, which explodes in flames.  He manages to save Jan’s head …

This movie had real potential to be bad movie gold.  The best and most ludicrous part is the doctor’s speedy rescue of the head which he does without a knife or scalpel.  There are also some nice moments with a “creature” and Jan is pretty good.

Unfortunately, the film has been padded out to fill its 82 minute run-time.  This means we have to sit through interminable bad driving sequences, burlesque dancing, etc. before we get to the good stuff.