# The She-Creature > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/The_She-Creature > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/The_She-Creature.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_She-Creature > Source revision: 1356147109 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) 1956 film by Edward L. Cahn For the 2001 film, see [She Creature](/source/She_Creature). This article is missing information about the film's theatrical/home media release, and legacy. Please expand the article to include this information. Further details may exist on the talk page. (April 2018) The She Creature Theatrical release poster Directed by Edward L. Cahn Written by Lou Rusoff Produced by Alex Gordon Starring Chester Morris Marla English Tom Conway Cathy Downs Paul Blaisdell Cinematography Frederick E. West Edited by Ronald Sinclair Music by Ronald Stein Production company Golden State Productions Distributed by American International Pictures Release date August 1, 1956 (1956-08-01) Running time 77 minutes Country United States Language English Budget $104,000[1] ***The She-Creature***, or ***The She Creature***, is a 1956 American [black-and-white](/source/Black-and-white) [science fiction](/source/Science_fiction_film) [horror film](/source/Horror_film), released by [American International Pictures](/source/American_International_Pictures) from a script by [Lou Rusoff](/source/Lou_Rusoff) (brother-in-law of AIP executive [Samuel Z. Arkoff](/source/Samuel_Z._Arkoff)). It was produced by [Alex Gordon](/source/Alex_Gordon_(writer-producer)), directed by [Edward L. Cahn](/source/Edward_L._Cahn), and stars [Chester Morris](/source/Chester_Morris), [Marla English](/source/Marla_English), and [Tom Conway](/source/Tom_Conway), and casting [Frieda Inescort](/source/Frieda_Inescort) and [El Brendel](/source/El_Brendel) in smaller roles. The producers hired Marla English because they thought she bore a strong resemblance to [Elizabeth Taylor](/source/Elizabeth_Taylor).[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*] The film was released by AIP as a [double feature](/source/Double_feature) with *[It Conquered the World](/source/It_Conquered_the_World)*.[2] ## Plot This article's plot summary needs to be improved. Please help do so. Relevant discussion may be found on the talk page. (March 2018) (Learn how and when to remove this message) Dr. Carlo Lombardi, an oleaginous carnival hypnotist, conducts experiments in [hypnotic regression](/source/Past_life_regression) that take his unwitting female subject Andrea Talbott to a past life as a prehistoric humanoid form of sea life. He uses the physical manifestation of the prehistoric creature to commit murders. ## Cast - [Chester Morris](/source/Chester_Morris) as hypnotist Dr. Carlo Lombardi, a mad scientist - [Tom Conway](/source/Tom_Conway) as showman Timothy Chappel - [Cathy Downs](/source/Cathy_Downs) as Dorothy Chappel (Timothy's daughter) - [Lance Fuller](/source/Lance_Fuller) as Dr. Ted Erickson - [Ron Randell](/source/Ron_Randell) as Police Lt. Ed James - [Frieda Inescort](/source/Frieda_Inescort) as Mrs. Chappel - [Marla English](/source/Marla_English) as Andrea Talbott - [Frank Jenks](/source/Frank_Jenks) as plainclothes sergeant - [El Brendel](/source/El_Brendel) as Olaf, the butler - [Paul Dubov](/source/Paul_Dubov) as Johnny - [William Hudson](/source/William_Hudson_(actor)) (credited as Bill Hudson) as Bob - [Flo Bert](/source/Flo_Bert) as Marta - [Jeanne Evans](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Jeanne_Evans&action=edit&redlink=1) as Mrs. Brown - [Kenneth MacDonald](/source/Kenneth_MacDonald_(American_actor)) as Police Doctor - [Jack Mulhall](/source/Jack_Mulhall) as Dr. Lombardi's lawyer - [Spike](/source/Spike_(dog_actor)) as King the family dog - [Paul Blaisdell](/source/Paul_Blaisdell) as The She-Creature - [Luana Walters](/source/Luana_Walters) as a Party Guest (her last acting role) ## Production [Drive-in](/source/Drive-in_theater) advertisement from 1956 featuring *The She-Creature* with companion feature, *[It Conquered the World](/source/It_Conquered_the_World)*. The story was inspired by the success of the best-selling Morey Bernstein book *[The Search for Bridey Murphy](/source/The_Search_for_Bridey_Murphy)*, which concerned hypnotism and reincarnation. Exhibitor Jerry Zigmond suggested this subject might make a good film, and AIP commissioned Lou Rusoff to write a script.[1] AIP did not have enough money to entirely finance the film, so the company asked producer Alex Gordon if he could contribute the remainder. Israel Berman, a colleague of Gordon's brother Richard, knew financier Jack Doppelt, who agreed to provide $40,000 of the film's $104,000 budget.[1] Edward L. Cahn persuaded his old actor friend [Edward Arnold](/source/Edward_Arnold_(actor)) to star[3] for $3,000 for one week's work, and also cast [Peter Lorre](/source/Peter_Lorre) as the hypnotist. Arnold died two days before production began, while Peter Lorre read the script after which he immediately pulled out of the film and fired his agent for committing him to the project without consulting him first. The producer had to find a substitute cast quickly, settling on Chester Morris and Tom Conway.[4] This was Ron Randell's first film in America in a number of years.[5] The monster costume was created by master make-up artist [Paul Blaisdell](/source/Paul_Blaisdell) and is considered one of his best.[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*] Parts of the costume were re-used in three later AIP films.[6] Blaisdell nicknamed the monster "Cuddles". The costume was eventually destroyed in a flood that hit his [Topanga Canyon](/source/Topanga_Canyon) home in 1979.[7] As usual, Blaisdell played the monster in every scene. Blaisdell nearly got injured when the director instructed him to smash his way through a wooden door in one of the film's action sequences, without realizing the door had been reinforced with plywood. Also in the beach scenes where the creature had to be seen emerging from the surf, Blaisdell was told to wade in up to his waist instead of his knees. The costume got so waterlogged, Blaisdell could hardly propel himself out of the water, especially with the tide working against him. Amazingly, most of this scene was later excised from the finished film due to poor quality image. ## Release This section needs expansion. You can help by adding missing information. (March 2018) Gordon, who deferred his $2,500 producer's fee until the film returned its cost, said that the movie was profitable a year and half after its release.[1] Within a few days of finishing the film, AIP featured the She Creature costume in live appearances on several L.A. talk shows to promote the film's grand opening. Blaisdell had his best friend Bob Burns wear the suit on the TV programs, since he was too worn out himself. ## Reception *[Variety](/source/Variety_(magazine))* wrote it had "a good quota of chills".[8] Author and film critic [Leonard Maltin](/source/Leonard_Maltin) awarded the film 2 out of 4 stars, calling it "slow and preposterous but effectively moody, with one of Paul Blaisdell's more memorable monsters".[9] On his website *Fantastic Movie Musings and Ramblings*, Dave Sindelar wrote, "There is a clever concept behind this attempt to combine the [Bridey Murphy](/source/Bridey_Murphy) concept with a monster movie; unfortunately, a poor script and some ineffectual acting hamstring the attempt".[10] *[TV Guide](/source/TV_Guide)* awarded the film 1 out of 4 stars, writing, "Some interesting concepts were touched on, but quickly pushed to the background in the name of plot development, which in this case is one cliche after another".[11] Dennis Schwartz from *Ozus' World Movie Reviews* awarded the film a grade of C, calling it "Amusing hokum".[12] ## Legacy In 1967, American International commissioned [Larry Buchanan](/source/Larry_Buchanan) to remake the film in color for television, retitled as *[Creature of Destruction](/source/Creature_of_Destruction)*. The original film is featured in an eighth season episode of movie-mocking television show *[Mystery Science Theater 3000](/source/Mystery_Science_Theater_3000)* and an episode of *[Cinema Insomnia](/source/Cinema_Insomnia)*.[13] ## References 1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-gordon_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-gordon_1-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-gordon_1-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-gordon_1-3) Weaver, Tom (January 1, 2002). [*Science Fiction Confidential: Interviews with 23 Monster Stars and Filmmakers*](https://books.google.com/books?id=nv8QNUySl2YC&pg=PA122). McFarland. pp. 123–126. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [9780786411757](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/9780786411757). 1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** 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). p. 254. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** "Drama: Actor Arnold Signs for 'She Creature'". *Los Angeles Times*. April 25, 1956. p. 34. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** Mark McGee, *Faster and Furiouser: The Revised and Fattened Fable of American International Pictures*, McFarland, 1996 pp. 54-56. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** Vagg, Stephen (August 10, 2019). ["Unsung Aussie Actors – Ron Randell: A Top Twenty"](https://www.filmink.com.au/unsung-aussie-actors-ron-randell-top-twenty/). *Filmink*. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** Brennan, Sandra. ["The She-Creature (1956)"](https://allmovie.com/movie/the-she-creature-v109837). [AllMovie](/source/AllMovie). Retrieved August 15, 2021. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** Palmer, Randy (2009). Paul Blaisdell, *Monster Maker: A Biography of the B Movie Makeup and Special Effects Artist*. McFarland & Company. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-0786440993](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0786440993). 1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** ["The She Creature"](https://archive.org/details/variety204-1956-09/page/n5/mode/1up?). *Variety*. September 5, 1956. p. 6. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** [Leonard Maltin](/source/Leonard_Maltin); Spencer Green; Rob Edelman (January 2010). [*Leonard Maltin's Classic Movie Guide*](https://books.google.com/books?id=hLtaAAAAYAAJ). Plume. pp. 589–590. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-0-452-29577-3](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-452-29577-3). 1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** Sindelar, Dave (May 10, 2015). ["The She-Creature (1956)"](https://fantasticmoviemusings.com/2015/05/10/the-she-creature-1956/). *FantasticMovieMusings.com*. Dave Sindelar. Retrieved August 15, 2021. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** ["The She-Creature – Movie Reviews and Movie Ratings"](https://www.tvguide.com/movies/the-she-creature/review/126550/). *TV Guide.com*. TV Guide. Retrieved August 15, 2021. [*[dead link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Link_rot)*] 1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** Schwartz, Dennis. ["She Creature"](https://web.archive.org/web/20180524004245/http://homepages.sover.net/~ozus/shecreature.htm). *Sover.net*. Dennis Schwartz. Archived from [the original](http://homepages.sover.net/%7Eozus/shecreature.htm) on May 24, 2018. Retrieved May 23, 2018. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** ["Cinema Insomnia, with your Horror Host, Mister Lobo! – Show Information"](https://web.archive.org/web/20100328140102/http://www.cinemainsomnia.com/show.php). Archived from [the original](http://www.cinemainsomnia.com/show.php) on March 28, 2010. Retrieved November 21, 2010. ## External links Wikimedia Commons has media related to [The She-Creature](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:The_She-Creature). Wikiquote has quotations related to ***[The She-Creature](https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Special:Search/The_She-Creature)***. - [*The She-Creature*](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0050957/) at [IMDb](/source/IMDb_(identifier)) - [*The She-Creature*](https://web.archive.org/web/1/https://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/89841/enwp) at the [TCM Movie Database](/source/Turner_Classic_Movies#TCMdb) (archived) - [Review of film](https://archive.org/details/variety204-1956–09/page/n5) at Variety - [*The She-Creature*](https://catalog.afi.com/Catalog/moviedetails/52002) at the *[AFI Catalog of Feature Films](/source/AFI_Catalog_of_Feature_Films)* v t e Films directed by Edward L. Cahn The Homicide Squad (1931) Law and Order (1932) Radio Patrol (1932) Afraid to Talk (1932) Emergency Call (1933) Laughter in Hell (1933) Death Drives Through (1935) Confidential (1935) Bad Guy (1937) Redhead (1941) The Omaha Trail (1942, uncredited) Main Street After Dark (1945) Dangerous Partners (1945) Born to Speed (1947) The Gas House Kids "in Hollywood" (1947) The Checkered Coat (1948) I Cheated the Law (1949) Prejudice (1949) The Great Plane Robbery (1950) Destination Murder (1950) Experiment Alcatraz (1950) Two-Dollar Bettor (1951) Creature with the Atom Brain (1955) Betrayed Women (1955) Silent Fear (1956) Girls in Prison (1956) The She-Creature (1956) Shake, Rattle & Rock! (1956) Runaway Daughters (1956) Flesh and the Spur (1957) Voodoo Woman (1957) Zombies of Mora Tau (1957) Dragstrip Girl (1957) Motorcycle Gang (1957) Invasion of the Saucer Men (1957) Jet Attack (1958) Suicide Battalion (1958) Curse of the Faceless Man (1958) It! The Terror from Beyond Space (1958) Hong Kong Confidential (1958) The Four Skulls of Jonathan Drake (1959) Guns, Girls and Gangsters (1959) Inside the Mafia (1959) Invisible Invaders (1959) Pier 5, Havana (1959) Riot in Juvenile Prison (1959) A Dog's Best Friend (1959) Vice Raid (1960) Cage of Evil (1960) Gunfighters of Abilene (1960) The Music Box Kid (1960) Noose for a Gunman (1960) Oklahoma Territory (1960) Three Came to Kill (1960) Twelve Hours to Kill (1960) The Walking Target (1960) Boy Who Caught a Crook (1961) Frontier Uprising (1961) Five Guns to Tombstone (1961) Police Dog Story (1961) Operation Bottleneck (1961) Gun Fight (1961) The Gambler Wore a Gun (1961) When the Clock Strikes (1961) You Have to Run Fast (1961) Secret of Deep Harbor (1961) Gun Street (1962) The Clown and the Kid (1962) Incident in an Alley (1962) Beauty and the Beast (1962) --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [The She-Creature](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_She-Creature) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_She-Creature?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.