Escapement (film)
Escapement (a.k.a. The Electronic Monster in the U.S.) is a 1958 British horror science fiction film.[1] It was based on the sci-fi novel Escapement by Charles Eric Maine (London, 1956). Original working titles included Zex, the Electronic Fiend and Dream Machine.
| Escapement (a.k.a. The Electronic Monster) | |
|---|---|
.jpg.webp) U.S. lobby card | |
| Directed by | Montgomery Tully David Paltenghi (dream sequences) |
| Written by | Charles Eric Maine J. MacLaren-Ross |
| Based on | Escapement by Charles Eric Maine |
| Produced by | Alec C. Snowden Jim O'Connolly Richard Gordon |
| Starring | Rod Cameron Mary Murphy |
| Cinematography | Bert Mason Teddy Catford (dream sequences) |
| Edited by | Geoffrey Muller |
| Color process | Black and white |
Production company | |
| Distributed by | Anglo-Amlgamated Film Distributors |
Release date |
|
Running time | 76 minutes |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
Plot
Inquiring into the mysterious death of a Hollywood star, insurance investigator Jeff Keenan uncovers an exclusive psychiatric clinic on the French Riviera. Here, patients who want to escape the stresses of life are hypnotized, then laid out in morgue-like drawers and left to dream for several weeks. It turns out that Dr. Zakon, the clinic's ex-Nazi owner, is using a "dream machine" to alter the sleepers' dreams, and to impose his will on theirs.
Cast
- Jeff Keenan - Rod Cameron
- Ruth Vance - Mary Murphy
- Doctor Maxwell - Meredith Edwards
- Paul Zakon - Peter Illing
- Doctor Hoff - Carl Jaffe
- Laura Maxwell - Kay Callard
- Blore - Carl Duering
- Verna Berteaux - Roberta Huby
- Commissaire - Felix Felton
- Brad Somers - Larry Cross
- Signore Kallini - Carlo Borelli
- Claude Denver - John McCarthy
- French Doctor - Jacques Cey
- French Farmer - Armande Guinle
- Receptionist (clinic) - Malou Pantera
- Receptionist (studios) - Pat Clavin
- Wayne - Alan Gifford
Production
Producer Richard Gordon later said there were major problems with the film's special effects. He also said that he had a dispute with Anglo-Amalgamated, who did not want the movie to get an X certificate in England, whereas Gordon wanted more horror for the US.[2]
Critical reception
Leonard Maltin called it a "blah sci-fi programmer" ; while TV Guide noted, "an intriguing feature in that it was among the first to examine the possibilities of psychological manipulation and brainwashing."[3] Moria found that the movie failed to live up to its interesting premise, being overly talky. The Encyclopedia of Science Fiction found the movie was leaning towards a thriller-like plot and had a disinclination to argue too about its often shaky scientific pinning. [4]
References
- Hal Erickson (2014). "The-Electronic-Monster - Trailer - Cast - Showtimes - NYTimes.com". Movies & TV Dept. The New York Times. Archived from the original on 2014-03-09.
- Tom Weaver, The Horror Hits of Richard Gordon, Bear Manor Media 2011 p 19
- "The Electronic Monster". TVGuide.com.
- "SFE: Maine, Charles Eric".
External links
- Escapement at IMDb
- Escapement at the British Film Institute