The Brain Eaters (1958) (Shout! Factory Store Exclusive)

[MifuneFan]

Shout! Factory has just added a new store exclusive title. The Brain Eaters (1958), limited to 1,500 copies.

https://www.shoutfactory.com/product...roduct_id=7774

Synopsis
When a strange structure emerges from the earth in a small Illinois town, scientist Dr. Paul Kettering is sent to investigate its mysterious origins and purpose. Kettering soon discovers the shocking truth: the object houses subterranean parasites capable of controlling the minds of anyone by attaching themselves at their necks. With the citizenry slowly infiltrated and overtaken and the town cut off from the outside world, Kettering and a small band of those left unenslaved must take on the insurmountable task of halting this menacing invasion from spreading. Starring Ed Nelson (Peyton Place) and Joanna Lee (Plan 9 From Outer Space) and featuring a cameo by Leonard Nimoy (Star Trek), The Brain Eaters is a spellbinding science-fiction nightmare!

Bonus Features
NEW 2K Scan Of A Fine Grain Film Element

[jshaide]

Sweet, something to order with Day the Earth Ended

[The Great Owl]

I don't like to order single titles from the Shout Factory site, but I just ordered this one. Can't wait!

[Rayjg]

No poster this time

[whiteberry]

Trailer:

The Brain Eaters (1958) - YouTube

[Jobla]

Leonard Nimoy is in the supporting cast!

[Savage_Blu]

Wish this one came with a poster like Day the World Ended.... *sigh* looks like I'll be putting a free shipping order together anyway lol

[MifuneFan]

I will say, it seems like they're putting out exclusives at a quicker rate, and I don't see this one selling out soon, so I personally wouldn't rush to put it an order. Obviously if there's stuff you want at a price you're willing to pay, then it's fine, but otherwise, I think waiting for another future exclusive should be safe.

[playingphysicist]

Is this one any good? Sort of looks like Roger Corman's take on Invasion of the Body Snatchers. I haven't started to get many of the drive-in tier horror flicks of the 50s yet but I have probably already missed a few good ones.

[inv136]

I remember watching this movie when it came on TV back in the mid 60's. It was pretty bad, low budget dreck. The premise was pretty cool, but, the low budget and the crappy writing ruined a great idea. Flash forward to the 90's when "The Puppet Masters" came out and I read that both "The Puppet Masters" (great decent budget movie) and "The Brain Eaters" were both based on Robert Heinlein's book "The Puppet Masters." Except, that the 1990's movie "The Puppet Masters" was truer to the book than "The Brain Eaters," which was a low budget rip off.

I vaguely remember watching "The Brain Eaters" and there were some decent scenes like the public official (I don't remember if he was a judge or some other official) sitting behind his desk at city hall and someone noticed something on the back of his neck which he tried to hide. But, the movie got bogged down and went super cheesy (bad) when the hero played by Martin Nelson crawled down into the spaceship looking underground object and ran into the old, bearded man inside. I don't remember their conversation, but, it seems like it didn't make a whole lot of sense. I was about 8 years old when I saw it on TV.

I might buy this later just out of curiosity as I don't remember a lot about it. I do remember that it wasn't a very good movie at all. But, I am curious enough to watch it again after all these decades. Another bad, Roger Corman movie that I remember watching back then was "The Flesh Eaters." But, I do remember just how bad that movie was and wouldn't waste a dime on buying that one. Same for "Attack of the Crab Monsters," and "It Conquered the World."

[Jaymole]

I can finally retire my UK DVD.

[iamnoone]

Originally Posted by inv136

Another bad, Roger Corman movie that I remember watching back then was "The Flesh Eaters." But, I do remember just how bad that movie was and wouldn't waste a dime on buying that one. Same for "Attack of the Crab Monsters," and "It Conquered the World."

I absolutely love "The Flesh Eaters", especially in its very gory (for the time) uncut version of course, very rarely shown uncut on TV. For that era, it was pretty gory! Famous Monsters magazine cover #29 I believe. But "The Flesh Eaters" was NOT Roger Corman.

I still like "Attack of the Crab Monsters", but ya, "It Conquered the World' is simply laughable, but I'd still buy it. But that will most likely never happen because of Susan Hart, who is probably hated more now than Wade Williams (thanks Film Detective!) amongst classic sci-fi film fans. Susan, no one likes you, and you're getting VERY old! Release your hostages, please.

[The Great Owl]

The arrival of an unidentified cone-shaped object in a small Illinois town coincides with strange behavior from locals in the community. When scientists and UFO investigators discover that the affected townspeople are being controlled by parasitic organisms that attach themselves to the necks of their victims, they are thrown into a race against time to contain an otherworldly threat that keeps them from trusting anyone.

The 1958 sci-fi B movie classic, The Brain Eaters, directed by Bruno VeSota and co-produced by an uncredited Roger Corman, shares undeniably common narrative ground with Robert A. Heinlein's 1951 novel, The Puppet Masters, so much so that the author sued the filmmakers for plagiarism. This screen story is an endearingly low budget affair, with the titular menaces created using fur-covered wind-up toys with pipe cleaners for antennae, but the allegorical aspects of its subject matter still ring true, whether one is thinking of the Red Scare or present-day conspiracy theorists.

The Brain Eaters features an early shootout that must have seemed quite violent to viewers during the era of its release. Another highlight is a knockout street brawl between the heroic protagonists and a couple of monster-controlled people. A knockout of a different sort appears courtesy of Joanna Lee, whose character participates in the mayhem in lingerie and clear heels after being taken over by a parasite that crept into her bedroom at night.

Be on the lookout for none other than Leonard Nimoy, who shows up in an early role as an ambassador for the brain eaters.

At 61 minutes, this creature feature is full of fast-paced fun, even if it does not win any awards for originality or effects.

Unfortunately, the brain eaters would die of starvation if they were to show up in today's world.


This barebones Scream Factory release looks quite good in its grainy glory.

[JMDiaz718]

This is pretty much The Puppet Masters on a zero budget. It’s not awful, but it’s pretty lame. The creatures are laughable.

[Automaton-X]

I think one of the most imaginative things about THE BRAIN EATERS was that

[Show spoiler]the invaders were not from outer space but from inner Earth. That put a slight spin on the film and helped make it stand out from the regular "invasion" fare.

But that being said,

[Show spoiler]if you're looking for literal "brain eaters," you'll find none here. That's fine by me. I guess the title was meant to be taken figuratively. Nor are the creatures "slimy," as the movie poster states. They're furry.

As was the case with many of the films of this type, the MOVIE POSTER was way more exciting (and probably more costly) than the movies they portrayed. For me, that's part of the fun.

In any case, the film is entertaining when taken in the right way – namely, don't go into it with high expectations (or even medium). The picture was produced on the thread of a shoestring budget. THE BRAIN EATERS practically has no "special effects." The picture's more on the level with films like BEAST WITH A MILLION EYES or THE KILLER SHREWS. I would consider it more a C-level movie than a B-level movie. That's not necessarily a knock against the picture, it is what it is. Especially if you like the old sci-fi stuff. I do.

[MifuneFan]

Down to $21.98 as part of Shout's Corman Birthday sale (ends 4/11)

https://www.shoutfactory.com/sale/ro...rjnrid=1MALPGD

[bigdaddyhorse]

Misfits - "Braineaters" - YouTube

Soory, just can't not hear this when I hear that title.

[MifuneFan]

This is on the verge of selling out. Shout tweeted on the 23rd that fewer than 50 copies remain

https://www.shoutfactory.com/product...roduct_id=7774

[bipbop13]

Can someone tell me the reasoning behind these limited editions? I just happened to notice it today & it's oop barely 6 months after pressing. Have any of these been repressed? I saw Flesh Eaters and grabbed it, but I don't always have that luxury, or time to notice. Is this something to get Shout! Noticed more? Something they don't think will sell? If that's the case, Brain Eaters went oop in less than 6 months. I think a repress would be in order. Ebay is already above 40 bucks a copy for it.