# Life Returns > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Life_Returns > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Life_Returns.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Life_Returns > Source revision: 1339455748 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) {{Short description|1934 film by Eugene Frenke}} {{Use mdy dates|date=February 2026}} {{Infobox film | name = Life Returns | image = Life-returns-movie-poster-md.jpg | alt = | caption = Window Card for the film | native_name = | director = [Eugene Frenke](/source/Eugene_Frenke) | producer = Lou Ostrow{{sfn|Weaver|Brunas|Brunas|2007|p=105}} | screenplay ={{plainlist|* [Arthur Horman](/source/Arthur_T._Horman) * [John F. Goodrich](/source/John_F._Goodrich){{sfn|Weaver|Brunas|Brunas|2007|p=105}} * [Mary Eunice McCarthy](/source/Mary_Eunice_McCarthy) (additional dialogue; as Mary McCarthy) * [L. Wolfe Gilbert](/source/L._Wolfe_Gilbert) (additional dialogue)McCarthy (January 12, 1935). [https://archive.org/details/motionpictureher118unse/page/n113/mode/2up?q=horman+goodrich+%22mary+mccarthy%22+%22l+wolfe+gilbert%22 "Showmen's Reviews: Life Returns (Universal), Drama"]. ''Motion Picture Herald''. p. 26, 27. Retrieved February 21, 2022.Schallert, Edwin (January 25, 1935). [https://www.newspapers.com/image/?clipping_id=95912815 "'Life Returns' Sketches Experiment of Cornish"]. ''The Los Angeles Times''. p. 13. Retrieved February 21, 2022.}} | story = {{plainlist|* Eugene Frenke * James Hogan{{sfn|Weaver|Brunas|Brunas|2007|p=105}}}} | based_on = | starring = {{plainlist|* [Onslow Stevens](/source/Onslow_Stevens) * [George Breakston](/source/George_Breakston) * [Lois Wilson](/source/Lois_Wilson_(actress))}} | music = {{plainlist|* [Oliver Wallace](/source/Oliver_Wallace) * Clifford Vaughan{{sfn|Weaver|Brunas|Brunas|2007|p=105}}}} | cinematography = [Robert H. Planck](/source/Robert_H._Planck){{sfn|Weaver|Brunas|Brunas|2007|p=105}} | editing = [Harry Marker](/source/Harry_Marker){{sfn|Weaver|Brunas|Brunas|2007|p=105}} | studio = {{plainlist|* Scienart Pictures * [Universal Pictures](/source/Universal_Pictures)}} | distributor = | released = {{Film date|1934}} | runtime = 60 minutes{{sfn|Weaver|Brunas|Brunas|2007|p=105}} | country = United States{{cite web|url=https://catalog.afi.com/Film/5223-LIFE-RETURNS?sid=056d7187-96bd-4949-b279-9b7b2b31f0ee&sr=9.715214&cp=1&pos=0|publisher=[American Film Institute](/source/American_Film_Institute)|title=Life Returns|access-date=April 2, 2020}} | language = English | budget = | gross = }} '''''Life Returns''''' is an American film directed by [Eugene Frenke](/source/Eugene_Frenke). The film stars [Onslow Stevens](/source/Onslow_Stevens), [George P. Breakston](/source/George_P._Breakston) and [Lois Wilson](/source/Lois_Wilson_(actress)) with a plot that involves a doctor who is convinced that the dead can be brought back to life gets the chance to prove his theory on a dog that has recently died. Eugene Frenke created a film record of the operation and developed a film that would incorporate the footage of [Robert E. Cornish](/source/Robert_E._Cornish) who was doing experiments that successfully let him bring dead animals back to life. Following a preview screening of the film, Universal pulled the film from a general release after declared the film to be a "freak picture, not suitable for the regular Universal program". The film was pulled from any general release but appears to have received a [roadshow](/source/Roadshow_theatrical_release) release. Despite reviews appearing in trade papers in 1934 and 1935, it is not clear when the film was first released. In 1937, Frenke brought a $145,424 lawsuit against Universal, charging that the studio had not released ''Life Returns'' through regular channels. It was re-released theatrically by Scienart Pictures in 1938. == Plot == At Hoskins University, three scientists, John Kendrick, Louise Stone, and [Robert E. Cornish](/source/Robert_E._Cornish) are attempting to develop a fluid that will restore life to the dead. After graduation, Kendrick announces to Cornish and Stone that he had secured work for them at the Arnold Research Laboratory. Louise and Cornish however, believe that their research has no place at a commercial laboratory. Kendrick goes to the foundation to work leaving Stone and Cornish behind. Time passes and Kendrick marries a socialite while A.K Arnold loses confidence in Kendrick's experiments, believing it to be noncommercial, leading Kendrick to resign. Kendrick works in a private medical practice when Mr.s Kendrick tries to argue that he has a wife and child to support. Years pass again and Mrs. Kendrick dies, leading to court officials wanting Kendrick's son to be sent to Juvenile Hall. To avoid this, Danny and his dog Scooter run away. Danny joins a gang of kids his age and brags about his father. Scotter is caught by a local dogcatcher leaving Danny heartbroken, leading to him and his gang to attempt to recapture the dog. The rescue fails when one kid fractures his legs and the dogcatcher gasses Scooter. Danny begs his father to help his kid and to revive Scooter, but Kendrick states he can't do either. Danny goes to Juvenal Hall to turn himself in. Kendrick, Louise, and other doctors restore life to the dog and restore Danny's faith in his father. == Cast == [[File:Robert E. Cornish 1934.png|thumb|[Robert E. Cornish](/source/Robert_E._Cornish) appeared in the film as himself.]] Cast adapted from the book ''Universal Horrors''.{{sfn|Weaver|Brunas|Brunas|2007|p=105}} {{castlist| *[Onslow Stevens](/source/Onslow_Stevens) as Dr. John Kendrick *[George P. Breakston](/source/George_P._Breakston) as Danny Kendrick *[Lois Wilson](/source/Lois_Wilson_(actress)) as Dr. Louise Stone *[Valerie Hobson](/source/Valerie_Hobson) as Mrs. Kendrick *[Stanley Fields](/source/Stanley_Fields_(actor)) as Dog Catcher *[Frank Reicher](/source/Frank_Reicher) as Dr. James *[Richard Carle](/source/Richard_Carle) as A.K. Arnold *Dean Benton as Interne *[Lois January](/source/Lois_January) as Nurse *[Richard Quine](/source/Richard_Quine) as Mickey *[Maidel Turner](/source/Maidel_Turner) as Mrs. Vandergriff *[George MacQuarrie](/source/George_MacQuarrie) as Judge *[Otis Harlan](/source/Otis_Harlan) as Dr. Henderson *[Robert E. Cornish](/source/Robert_E._Cornish) as Himself *Mario Margutti as Cornish's staff *[William Black](/source/William_Black_(actor)) as Cornish's staff *Ralph Colmar as Cornish's staff *Roderic Krider as Cornish's staff}} ==Production== According to news items in ''[Daily Variety](/source/Daily_Variety)'', director [Eugene Frenke](/source/Eugene_Frenke) was originally assigned to adapt [Leo Tolstoi](/source/Leo_Tolstoi)'s novel ''[Father Sergius](/source/Father_Sergius)'' to the screen, but Universal Pictures was concerned that the subject matter of the story would not be approved by censors, and assigned Frenke to direct an original story. On May 22, 1934, at the [University of Southern California](/source/University_of_Southern_California), the scientist [Robert E. Cornish](/source/Robert_E._Cornish) succeeded in surgically and chemically restoring life to a dead dog.{{sfn|Weaver|Brunas|Brunas|2007|p=106}} Eugene Frenke created a film record of the operation and developed a film that would incorporate the footage.{{sfn|Weaver|Brunas|Brunas|2007|p=106}} Frenke contacting [Universal Studios](/source/Universal_Pictures) to split costs and profits on the film.{{sfn|Weaver|Brunas|Brunas|2007|p=106}} ==Release== After finishing ''Life Returns'', director [Eugene Frenke](/source/Eugene_Frenke) pressed Universal Studios to make a follow-up film in which a dead man is brought back to life.{{sfn|Weaver|Brunas|Brunas|2007|p=109}} The specific release date of ''Life Returns'' is unknown. Universal released the film for a special [road show](/source/Roadshow_theatrical_release) run and following a preview screening, Universal pulled the film from a general release and declared the it to be a "freak picture, not suitable for the regular Universal program" Reviews for the film were published between 1934 and 1935, no release date from these years has been confirmed. In 1937, Frenke brought a $145,424 lawsuit against Universal charging that the studio had not released ''Life Returns'' through regular channels.{{sfn|Weaver|Brunas|Brunas|2007|p=109}} The earliest documented release date is 10 June 1938 where it was distributed by a distributor called Scienart Pictures.{{sfn|Weaver|Brunas|Brunas|2007|p=109}} The film is the public domain in the United States and has various VHS and DVD releases.{{sfn|Weaver|Brunas|Brunas|2007|p=109}} [Karl Freund](/source/Karl_Freund) contacted Frenke for a print of ''Life Returns'', which led to Frenke to get a new print struck and showed it to his friend.{{sfn|Weaver|Brunas|Brunas|2007|p=109}} Frenke found out later that Freund asked to view to the film to help him with his own feature ''[Mad Love](/source/Mad_Love_(1935_film))''.{{sfn|Weaver|Brunas|Brunas|2007|p=109}} ==Reception== From contemporary reviews, ''The Film Daily'' reviewed the film on January 2, 1935, and stated that the direction on the film was "excellent" and that Onslow Stevens and George Breakston "give fine performances" and the film has "been delicately handled and is not offensive or gruesome."{{sfn|Weaver|Brunas|Brunas|2007|p=109}} "Barn." of ''[Variety](/source/Variety_(magazine))'' found the film "tedious" and that "every performance is plodding, colorless, and it's a pic much longer to the audience than its accredited running time would indicate."{{sfn|Willis|1985|p=58}}{{sfn|Willis|1985|p=59}} A review in ''[Harrison's Reports](/source/Harrison's_Reports)'' stated the film's story was "simple" "and "should appeal more to juveniles than adults" and that "the fault lies with the director; it is slow and stilted."{{sfn|Weaver|Brunas|Brunas|2007|p=109}} From retrospective review, the authors of the book ''Universal Horrors'', the authors stated that ''Life Returns'' has "a slapdash, slung-together quality that pits it at the level of some of the worst of that era's cheap indie productions - in fact, below that level. It has the low-grade look and feel of a film consisting solely of first takes, good, bad and indifferent."{{sfn|Weaver|Brunas|Brunas|2007|p=107}} ==References== ===Footnotes=== {{reflist}} ===Sources=== {{refbegin}} * {{cite book |last1=Weaver |first1=Tom |last2=Brunas |first2=Michael |last3=Brunas |first3=John|year=2007 |orig-year=1990 |title=Universal Horrors |edition=2 |publisher=McFarland & Company |isbn=978-0-7864-2974-5 }} * {{cite book |editor-last=Willis |editor-first=Donald |title=Variety's Complete Science Fiction Reviews |publisher=Garland Publishing Inc. |isbn=978-0-8240-6263-7 |year=1985 }} {{refend}} == External links == {{Wikiquote}} *{{IMDb title|id=0025391|title=Life Returns}} *{{TCMDb title|498232}} *{{Internet Archive film|id=LifeReturns|name=Life Returns}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Life Returns}} Category:1934 science fiction films Category:1934 English-language films Category:American black-and-white films Category:Universal Pictures films Category:American science fiction films Category:Films scored by Oliver Wallace Category:Films directed by Eugene Frenke Category:English-language science fiction films Category:1934 films Category:1934 American films --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Life Returns](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Life_Returns) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Life_Returns?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.