The Brain from Planet Arous (1957) – Friday Night At The Home Drive-In

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The Brain from Planet Arous (1957) Poster for The Brain from Planet Arous (1957) by #NathanJuran
w/#JohnAgar #JoyceMeadows #RobertFuller

An alien brain hijacks the body of a scientist to take control of the Earth.

“It Will Steal Your Body And Damn Your Soul!”

“Science-Fiction’s most astounding story!”

#Horror #SciFi
#NotQuiteClassicCinema
#FridayNightAtTheHomeDriveIn

I’ve been hearing about The Brain from Planet Arous (1957) for a long time. If you’d asked me, I probably would have said that I’d seen it years ago. But watching it last Friday,  it became clear to me that I’ve never seen this unassuming sci-fi masterpiece before. Masterpiece? Well, perhaps I’m overstating it slightly, but this movie is the most fun I’ve had at the home drive-in in quite a while…

It may not hurt that I’m a fan of “brain” movies. I mean all types of them: disembodied brains, brain transplants,. evil monster brains – you name it. How could I have missed The Brain from Planet Arous until now? 

So, this is about a brain?

The Brain from Planet Arous is about a brain,,, from a planet called Arous. His name is Goir, and he is a nasty piece of work. He comes to earth and takes over the mind (and body) of a scientist named Steve, played by John Agar. His plan, I mean Gor’s plan, is to take over the Earth and rule it like a king. 

Luckily for us Earthlings, there is another brain… from the planet called Arous… and his name is Vol. He’s a good brain. He has come to Earth to stop Gor and take him back to Arous, where he is a wanted criminal.

I’ve read all of the Gor novels, and I don’t remember any of this.

I don’t believe that Gor the brain has anything to do with the Gor novels. In fact, the first Gor novel was published in 1966, so perhaps it was influenced by The Brain from Planet Arous. Who knows?

Aside from The Brain from Planet Arous, why have a I heard of John Agar?

John Agar starred opposite John Wayne in a bunch of movies, including Fort Apache (1948) and She Wore a Yellow Ribbon (1949). More significantly to patrons of the home drive-in, Agar starred in Tarantula! (1955)  The Mole People (1956), and Revenge of the Creature (1955). Many years later, he appeared in Nightbreed (1990)

So, you really liked The Brain from Planet Arous?

As I said earlier, The Brain from Planet Arous (1957) is the most fun I’ve had in a while. There are so many great moments in it, but I will refrain from spoiling any by describing them. To be clear, The Brain from Planet Arous is #NotQuiteClassicCinema. Closer to Fiend Without a Face (1958) than Citizen Kane (1941). And as such, it would be a perfect addition to your next #FridayNightAtTheHomeDriveIn.

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