Directed by Arthur Crabtree, Fiend Without a Face is a British-American science fiction horror film that shocked audiences with its gruesome creature effects and cerebral premise. Released in 1958, it stars Marshall Thompson and is set near a U.S. Air Force base in rural Canada, where mysterious deaths begin to occur—victims found with their brains and spinal cords removed.
Plot Summary
Major Jeff Cummings (Thompson) investigates a series of bizarre deaths linked to a nearby nuclear-powered radar station. The culprit? A scientist’s experiments in telekinesis have spawned invisible creatures—mental projections that feed on radiation and attack humans by sucking out their brains. As the creatures grow stronger, they become visible: pulsating, brain-shaped monsters with spinal cord tails that slither and leap in terrifying fashion. The climax sees the base under siege, with bullets and flamethrowers used to destroy the grotesque fiends
Cast Highlights
- Marshall Thompson as Major Jeff Cummings
- Kim Parker as Barbara Griselle
- Kynaston Reeves as Professor Walgate
- Michael Balfour, Stanley Maxted, and Terry Kilburn in supporting roles
Behind-the-Scenes Trivia
- Director Arthur Crabtree initially refused to direct the film, believing sci-fi was beneath him. He walked off set, and Marshall Thompson reportedly directed several scenes himself before Crabtree was convinced to return
- A publicity stunt in New York City featured one of the brain creatures in a cage outside the Rialto Theater. It caused such a crowd that police had it removed for blocking traffic
- The film’s grotesque visuals and gore were so shocking that British Parliament reportedly discussed its content, making it one of the earliest films to stir political controversy over horror imagery
- The infamous poster featuring Kim Parker in a towel was misleading—she only appears that way for a few seconds. Her startled expression was due to an actor unexpectedly entering the room during filming
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