Curse of the Faceless Man

Curse of the Faceless Man

Theatrical release poster
Directed by Edward L. Cahn
Produced by Robert E. Kent
Edward Small (uncredited)
Written by Jerome Bixby
Starring Richard Anderson/Adele Mara
Music by Gerald Fried
Cinematography Kenneth Peach
Edited by Grant Whytock
Distributed by United Artists
Release dates
  • August 1958
Running time
 67 minutes
Country United States
Language English

The Curse of the Faceless Man is a low budget horror film, released by Robert E. Kent Productions and United Artists in 1958. It was directed by Edward L. Cahn who also directed Creature with the Atom Brain (1955), Invasion of the Saucer Men (1957), and The Four Skulls of Jonathan Drake (1959). It was originally released on a double feature with It! The Terror from Beyond Space.

Plot

The petrified body of a gladiator is discovered at Pompeii, wearing a bronze medallion with Etruscan writing on it. An Italian archeologist, Maria Fiorillo (Adele Mara), believes that the robust body is still alive, but Dr. Paul Mallon (Richard Anderson) does not believe her. But every time someone is left alone with the body, they die, with their skulls crushed. Tina Enright (Elaine Edwards) begins to have strange visions and believes that what she knows about the "faceless man" is true.

Cast

Production

The film was produced by Robert E. Kent for Edward Small.[1] Curse of the Faceless Man, along with The Search for Bridey Murphy, were films that actor Richard Anderson referred to as "things I did on my way to something else".[2] The film's plot bore several similarities to Universal Studios 1932 film The Mummy: Both films included a love affair between the title characters, and both "monsters" awakened in modern times and discovered the reincarnation of their ancient lovers.[3] Make-up effects for the title character were done by Layne Britton, with Bob Bryant as the stuntman for the character.[4]

Availability

The film was released on VHS by the video company Lost Domain. It was released on DVD in 2006.

References

  1. ↑ 'Kristin' Seen as Challenge: Kaufman Phones Terry Moore; 'Diamonds' Polished for Laage Scheuer, Philip K. Los Angeles Times (1923-Current File) [Los Angeles, Calif] 21 Nov 1957: C11.
  2. ↑ Tom Weaver (1995). They fought in the creature features: interviews with 23 classic horror, science fiction, and serial stars. McFarland. ISBN 978-0-7864-0019-5.
  3. ↑ Gary Westfahl (2005). The Greenwood Encyclopedia of Science Fiction and Fantasy: Themes, Works, and Wonders. Greenwood Publishing Group. pp. 660–. ISBN 978-0-313-32952-4.
  4. ↑ John Johnson (1996). Cheap Tricks and Class Acts: Special Effects, Makeup, and Stunts from the Films of the Fantastic Fifties. McFarland. pp. 384–. ISBN 978-0-7864-0093-5.

External links