From Hell It Came (1957)

Director:

Dan Milner

Writers:

Richard Bernstein (screenplay)
Richard Bernstein (story)

Release Date:

25 August 1957 (USA)

Genre:

Horror | Sci-Fi

Tagline:

Frightmare! Born of Jungle Witchcraft! Created by a Curse!

Plot:

A wrongfully accused South Seas prince is executed, and returns as a walking tree stump.

Plot Keywords:

South Seas | Island | Beautiful Woman | Native Girl | Hair Pulling

Cast

Tod Andrews	...	Dr. William Arnold
Tina Carver	...	Dr. Terry Mason
Linda Watkins	...	Mrs. Mae Kilgore
John McNamara	...	Prof. Clark
Gregg Palmer	...	Kimo
Robert Swan	...	Tano
Baynes Barron	...	Chief Maranka
Suzanne Ridgeway	...	Korey
Mark Sheeler	...	Eddie
Lee Rhodes	...	Norgu
Grace Mathews	...	Orchid
Tani Marsh	...	Naomi
Chester Hayes	...	Maku / The Tabanga
Lenmana Guerin	...	Dori

Runtime:

73 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Certification:

USA:Approved (PCA #18636)

Company:

Allied Artists Pictures

Trivia:

Inspired one of the most infamous movie reviews of all time: "And to hell it can go!"

Goofs:

Continuity: The graveyard where Kimo is buried varies from scene to scene between a single roadside grave and a mountainous cemetery .

Quotes:

[Talking about a witch doctor]
Prof. Clark: He's afraid of losing his patients to modern medicine. He wants to keep them steeped in their centuries-old superstitions. They worship him like some kind of high priest!
Dr. Arnold: Back in the States they don't regard doctors that way. Sometimes they don't even pay their bills!

Movie Connections:

Featured in Arson for Hire (1959)

I'm Stumped!

Atomic fallout in the 50's had been blamed for many destructive forces, generally in the form of huge giant animal mutations such as ants in Them!, a Praying Mantis in Deadly Mantis, and the penultimate live wrecking machine Godzilla himself. But in this film - From Hell It Came - the atomic fall out causes a tree-like creature to wreak its revenge on a small island and its natives. This is a tree that has grown from a human corpse buried in a wooden casket...a casket that somehow germinates into this killing sapling called Tobanga. This film is a classic of its type. It has very poor production values, and the natives all have thick New York accents(being sure to lend the proceeding a complete air of unreality). Add some very unbelievable special effects and a far-out story - and of course a group of lead actors that would make ed Wood proud, and you have the core of this film. Despite its many shortcomings, the film is highly enjoyable as a piece of Le Bad Cinema. The most annoying aspect is the actress playing Mrs. Kilgore. After hearing her Australian accent and corny dialogue for what seemed an eternity....I was ready to get an axe!