The tyranist's thoughts
I've had Curt Siodmak's novel sitting on a shelf in my library for ages and always intended to read it before I saw the movie. I finally gave in and just saw the movie. Perhaps I will get to the novel soon. I say that a lot. So many books, so little time.
A medical scientist has made a stunning breakthrough that has enabled him to keep a monkey brain alive after the death of the monkey. When a prominent businessman dies on his surgical table he can't resist the temptation and applies the same technology to the human brain. It works, of course, all too well and soon Mr. Donovan's brain is calling the shots.
It is sometimes difficult to watch these movies that were so clearly horror in their time because they just can't match today's efforts. Still, this one is pretty well done with decent effects and a tight script. There aren't the normal plot gaffes that were so prevalent in this genre in the '50s and the acting was nice, including the future Mrs. Reagan.
If you are into early sci-fi horror, this one is definitely worth the time, just don't expect to be frightened by it.