# The Gamma People > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/The_Gamma_People > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/The_Gamma_People.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Gamma_People > Source revision: 1340592719 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) 1956 film by John Gilling The Gamma People Theatrical release poster Directed by John Gilling Screenplay by John Gilling John Gossage Story by Robert Aldrich Louis Pollock Produced by John Gossage Starring Paul Douglas Eva Bartok Cinematography Ted Moore Edited by Jack Slade Music by George Melachrino Color process Black and white Production company Warwick Films Distributed by Columbia Pictures Release date 30 January 1956 (1956-01-30) [1] Running time 78 minutes Country United Kingdom Language English Budget £85,060[2] ***The Gamma People*** is a 1956 British [science fiction](/source/Science_fiction) [horror film](/source/Horror_film) produced by John Gossage, directed by [John Gilling](/source/John_Gilling) and starring [Paul Douglas](/source/Paul_Douglas_(actor)) and [Eva Bartok](/source/Eva_Bartok).[3] The film, shot in [Imst](/source/Imst), Austria, was distributed by [Columbia Pictures](/source/Columbia_Pictures) and evolved from a script treatment originally written in the early 1950s by [Robert Aldrich](/source/Robert_Aldrich).[4] *The Gamma People* was released theatrically in January 1956 in the UK, and played later in 1956 in the U.S. as a [double feature](/source/Double_feature) with the 1956 British science fiction film *[1984](/source/1984_(1956_film))*.[5] Poster for a 1956 [double feature](/source/Double_feature) with *[1984](/source/1984_(1956_film))*. ## Plot A railroad passenger car carrying a reporter and his photographer mysteriously breaks away from its locomotive, accidentally ending up on a remote sidetrack in Gudavia, an isolated [Ruritanian](/source/Ruritania)-style, one-village dictatorship. The newsmen discover a mad scientist using [gamma rays](/source/Gamma_ray) to turn the country's youth into either geniuses or subhumans. ## Cast - [Paul Douglas](/source/Paul_Douglas_(actor)) as Mike Wilson[6] - [Eva Bartok](/source/Eva_Bartok) as Paula Wendt[7] - [Leslie Phillips](/source/Leslie_Phillips) as Howard Meade - [Walter Rilla](/source/Walter_Rilla) as Boronski[8] - [Philip Leaver](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Philip_Leaver&action=edit&redlink=1) as Koerner - [Martin Miller](/source/Martin_Miller_(actor)) as Lochner - [Michael Caridia](/source/Michael_Caridia) as Hugo Wendt - [Pauline Drewett](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Pauline_Drewett&action=edit&redlink=1) as Hedda Lochner - [Jocelyn Lane](/source/Jocelyn_Lane) as Anna - [Olaf Pooley](/source/Olaf_Pooley) as Bikstein - [Rosalie Crutchley](/source/Rosalie_Crutchley) as Frau Bikstein - [Leonard Sachs](/source/Leonard_Sachs) as Telegraph Clerk - [Paul Hardtmuth](/source/Paul_Hardtmuth) as Hans - [Cyril Chamberlain](/source/Cyril_Chamberlain) as Graf ## Production In June 1951, [Irving Allen](/source/Irving_Allen) announced he would make *The Gamma People* in Austria with [Brian Donlevy](/source/Brian_Donlevy) and [Virginia Grey](/source/Virginia_Grey). It was based on a screenplay by Oliver Crawford and a story by Louis Pollock. Allen said the script was about German scientific experiments during the war which caused cells to mutate. He said he had finance from the United States and Austria.[9] Allen did a location trip to Austria in July.[10] In December 1951 Allen announced he had formed Warwick Productions with Albert Broccoli, but that he still intended to make *The Gamma People* with [Robert Aldrich](/source/Robert_Aldrich).[11] [Dick Powell](/source/Dick_Powell) was slated to star.[12] The film would not be made for another three years. Paul Douglas was cast in the lead and Warwick wanted [Trevor Howard](/source/Trevor_Howard) to co-star.[13][14] Filming took place in Austria in July 1955. [Patricia Medina](/source/Patricia_Medina) was meant to co-star, but then was called in for another commitment, on a [Sam Katzman](/source/Sam_Katzman) film. [Eva Bartók](/source/Eva_Bart%C3%B3k) took her place.[15] The movie was Warwick's one attempt at science fiction.[16] Writer Louis Pollock would be blacklisted for five years, having been confused for Los Angeles clothier, Louis Pollack, who refused to give testimony to the [House Un-American Activities Committee](/source/House_Un-American_Activities_Committee).[17] ## See also - [List of British films of 1956](/source/List_of_British_films_of_1956) ## References 1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** F Maurice Speed, *Film Review 1956–57*, Macdonald & Co 1956 1. **[^](#cite_ref-money_2-0)** Chapman, J. (2022). The Money Behind the Screen: A History of British Film Finance, 1945-1985. Edinburgh University Press p 359 1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** [*The Gamma People*](https://catalog.afi.com/Catalog/moviedetails/51842) at the *[AFI Catalog of Feature Films](/source/AFI_Catalog_of_Feature_Films)*. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** p.14 Aldrich, Robert with Arnold, Edwin T. & Miller, Eugene L. *Robert Aldrich: Interviews*Univ. Press of Mississippi, 2004 1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** McGee, Mark Thomas; Robertson, R.J. (2013). "You Won't Believe Your Eyes". Bear Manor Media. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-1-59393-273-2](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-1-59393-273-2). Page 254 1. **[^](#cite_ref-hc551009_6-0)** ["Pat Medina Set In 'The Gamma People'"](https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/courant/access/901417032.html?dids=901417032:901417032&FMT=CITE&FMTS=CITE:AI). *[The Hartford Courant](/source/The_Hartford_Courant)*. October 9, 1955. p. A9. Retrieved April 29, 2012.{{[cite news](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Cite_news)}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service ([link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:CS1_maint:_deprecated_archival_service)) 1. **[^](#cite_ref-ct940817_7-0)** ["British woman, 36, claims she is Sinatra's daughter"](https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/chicagotribune/access/24120284.html?dids=24120284:24120284&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT). *[Chicago Tribune](/source/Chicago_Tribune)*. August 17, 1994. p. 2. Retrieved April 29, 2012.{{[cite news](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Cite_news)}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service ([link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:CS1_maint:_deprecated_archival_service)) 1. **[^](#cite_ref-hc550911_8-0)** ["Rilla Joins 'Gamma People'"](https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/courant/access/904544172.html?dids=904544172:904544172&FMT=CITE&FMTS=CITE:AI). *[The Hartford Courant](/source/The_Hartford_Courant)*. September 11, 1955. p. D12. Retrieved April 29, 2012.{{[cite news](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Cite_news)}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service ([link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:CS1_maint:_deprecated_archival_service)) 1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** "METRO ACQUIRES TWO NEW STORIES: 'Millionth Man' and 'General Came Home' Bought — Greer Garson in 'Burning Secret' To Produce "Gamma People" Of Local Origin". *The New York Times*. 20 June 1951. p. 23. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** A.H. Weiler (29 July 1951). "RANDOM OBSERVATIONS ON THE SCREEN SCENE: Mankiewicz Makes Movie in the Middle East — Of Helen Hokinson — Addenda". *The New York Times*. p. 75. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** Schallert, Edwin (Aug 15, 1952). "Drama: Night Club Sparklers Invade West; Dieterle Adds to London Trend". *Los Angeles Times*. p. 11. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** Hopper, Hedda (Aug 15, 1952). "Looking at Hollywood: Leslie Caron and Mel Ferrer Will Co-star in Dore Schary Movie". *Chicago Daily Tribune*. p. a6. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** Thomas M. Pryors (Apr 9, 1955). "RITA HAYWORTH SUES FILM STUDIO: Actress Seeks Full Payment of Salary, Court Approval of End to Contract". *New York Times*. p. 8. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** Hopper, Hedda (Apr 23, 1955). "'Vanishing American' Will Star Scott Brady". *Chicago Daily Tribune*. p. 17. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** "HERBERT SORRELL LOSES WAGE SUIT: Former Coast Labor Leader Key Figure in 1945 Studio Strike, Sought $20,270". *The New York Times*. 23 July 1955. p. 10. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-warwick_16-0)** Vagg, Stephen (8 December 2025). ["Forgotten British Film Moguls: Cubby Broccoli and Irving Allen"](https://www.filmink.com.au/forgotten-british-film-moguls-cubby-broccoli-and-irving-allen/). *Filmink*. Retrieved 8 December 2025. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-17)** MURRAY SCHUMACH (Dec 18, 1959). "BLACKLIST TRAPS A SCREEN WRITER: Louis Pollock Is 'Convicted' Without His Knowledge in Mistaken Identity Case". *The New York Times*. p. 34. ## External links - [*The Gamma People*](https://catalog.afi.com/Catalog/moviedetails/51842) at the *[AFI Catalog of Feature Films](/source/AFI_Catalog_of_Feature_Films)* - [*The Gamma People*](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0049248/) at [IMDb](/source/IMDb_(identifier)) - [*The Gamma People*](https://web.archive.org/web/1/https://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/75960/enwp) at the [TCM Movie Database](/source/Turner_Classic_Movies#TCMdb) (archived) - [*The Gamma People* film trailer](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2d5RIQDcxLA) on [YouTube](/source/YouTube_video_(identifier)) - [Review of film](https://archive.org/details/variety204-1956-09/page/n61/mode/1up/search/%22warwick+films%22?q=%22warwick+films%22) at Variety v t e Films directed by John Gilling Escape from Broadmoor (1948) A Matter of Murder (1949) No Trace (1950) The Quiet Woman (1951) The Frightened Man (1952) Mother Riley Meets the Vampire (1952) The Voice of Merrill (1952) Deadly Nightshade (1953) Recoil (1953) Escape by Night (1953) Three Steps to the Gallows (1953) Destination Milan (1954) Double Exposure (1954) The Embezzler (1954) The Gilded Cage (1955) Tiger by the Tail (1955) Odongo (1956) The Gamma People (1956) Interpol (1957) High Flight (1957) The Man Inside (1958) Idol on Parade (1959) The Bandit of Zhobe (1959) The Flesh and the Fiends (1960) The Challenge (1960) Fury at Smugglers' Bay (1961) The Shadow of the Cat (1961) The Pirates of Blood River (1962) Panic (1963) The Scarlet Blade (1963) The Brigand of Kandahar (1965) The Night Caller (1965) Where the Bullets Fly (1966) The Plague of the Zombies (1966) The Reptile (1966) The Mummy's Shroud (1967) La cruz del diablo (1975) --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [The Gamma People](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Gamma_People) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Gamma_People?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.