This week’s mystery movie has been the 1955 Columbia Pictures film “Creature With the Atom Brain,” with Richard Denning, Angela Stevens, Michael Granger, Linda Bennett, Harry Lauter, Charles Evans, S. John Launer, Gregory Gay, Tristram Coffin, Larry Blake and Pierre Watkin. Story and screenplay by Curt Siodmak, photography by Fred Jackman, art direction by Paul Palmentola, set decoration by Sidney Clifford, special effects by Jack Erickson and music conducted by Mischa Bakaleinikoff. Directed by Edward L. Cahn.
“Creature With the Atom Brain” is available on DVD from Amazon.
Through what must surely be an oversight, neither the New York Times nor the Los Angeles Times reviewed “Creature With the Atom Brain.” The film opened in Los Angeles in June 1955, and in New York in August 1955, as the second half of a double bill with “It Came From Beneath the Sea.” Some shows included the cartoon “When Magoo Flew.”
For Monday, we have two mystery gents.
Update: This is mad scientist Dr. Wilhelm Steigg (Gregory Gay / Gaye) and criminal mastermind Frank Buchanan (Michael Granger).
For Tuesday, we have a mystery girl and a mysterious hand. Also a mysterious doll. Eat your oatmeal, dearie, it has stick-to-your-ribs goodness.
Update: This is Linda Bennett. IMDB says she was born in 1942, which would make her a teenager when this film was released. The hand belongs to S. John Launer.
For Wednesday, we have a mystery broadcast!
Update: This is Richard H. Cutting. Columbia often used KXIW-TV as a phony call sign, especially in “The Monkees,” although nobody in the Brain Trust fell for my misdirection.
For. Thursday. We. Have. A. Mystery. Guest. Yes. A. Mystery. Guest.
Update: This is S. John Launer.
Brain Trust roll call: Mary Mallory (mystery movie and Tuesday’s mystery girl), Pat in Michigan (mystery movie and Tuesday’s mystery girl), Benito (mystery movie), Roget-L.A. (mystery movie), Earl Boebert (mystery movie), Tucson Barbara (mystery movie, Tuesday’s mystery girl and Wednesday’s mystery TV newsman), Sarah (mystery movie and mystery TV station), Megan (mystery movie and Tuesday’s mystery girl — but where are Lee Ann and Thom??) and Sylvia E. (mystery movie, Monday’s mystery mad scientists, Tuesday’s mystery girl and mystery hand).
For. Friday. The. Doll. Gets. It.
Oh. Dear. Our. Mystery. Woman. Does. Not. Approve. Of. Such. Goings. On.
Update: This is Angela Stevens.
No. Early. Morning. Hanky. Panky. For. You. Handsome. Pipe. Smoking. Leading. Man. This. Is. The. 1950s.
Also. Atomic. Zombies. Are. Waiting.
Update: This is Richard Denning.
“Brain” Trust roll call (hahahahaha): Megan (mystery movie), Mike Hawks (mystery movie, Tuesday’s mystery girl and Thursday’s mystery gent), Mary Mallory (they are in the mystery movie but in different roles), Sylvia E. (mystery movie screenwriter, Wednesday’s mystery newsman, Thursday’s mystery gent), Tucson Barbara (Thursday’s mystery gent), Lee Ann, Megan and Thom (Thursday’s mystery gent) and L.C. (mystery movie).
ladailymirror.com 
I don’t know but one of these guys has to be Morris Ankrum.
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An interesting guess. He’s not but that’s all I’ll say for now. And no, it’s not Alan Ladd in “This Gun for Hire.”
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Commando Cody.
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Alas, I’m afraid not.
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I’m guessing for fun on a Monday, strictly based on your ‘Morris Ankrum guess’ comment to Mr. Ryerson:
Either Earth vs Flying Saucers 1956, or Rocket Ship X-M 1950.
I’m sure my guesses will change over the week. This will be another fun one.
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No, not exactly, but you have the right era and studio. And possibly more.
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I am soooo looking forward to Saturday and the rundown on this picture.
The movie is Creature with the Atom Brain 1953
Monday has (I think) Gregory Gaye (screen left) and Michael Granger amidst the process of ‘suiting up’ in their laboratory gear.
Tuesday – Linda Bennet and I think the ‘mystery hand with a spoon’ guy is S. John Launer
Still working on Wednesday’s reporter, but the governor follows (or precedes) him on this set, broadcasting a warning as governors do.
Curious about what Friday’s Richard Denning photo (I’m assuming) will be. He was a favorite of mine.
Fun puzzle.
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Ha! I just noticed that Curt Siodmak wrote the screenplays for this week’s picture and for my one of my initial guesses, Earth vs Flying Saucers 1956.
Clever clue.
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Thurs – S. John Launer (after his brain surgery)
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And Weds is Richard H. Cutting (I think)
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This was so much fun.
Friday – Little Linda Bennet’s shredded doll is thanks to her ‘play uncle’ – post atomic brain surgery, S. John Launer. Very sad.
Linda’s parents: Angela Stevens and sleepy Richard Denning (good photo option)
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Monday’s masked foreground gent is Arthur Franz and Tuesdays moppet is Janine Perreau. Invaders from Mars is the flick.
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Good guess — right era. But “Invaders From Mars” is in color.
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THE CREATURE WITH THE ATOM BRAIN. Harry Lauter today and Linda Bennett Tuesday. Is that Richard Denning’s hand with Bennett?
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Tuesday’s mystery girl is Linda Bennett, and the mystery hand belongs to Richard Denning. The film is “Creature with the Atom Brain”.
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Based on Monday’s oddly suited gents, guessing it’s The Creature With The Atom Brain 1955.
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Creature with the Atom Brain (1955)
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Creature With The Atom Brain (1955). Nazis, zombies, and gangsters, oh dear.
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“Creature with the Atom Brain”
Tuesday – Linda Bennett
Wednesday – Richard H. Cutting
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It’s the “Creature with the Atomic Brain.” Thank you KXIW-TV!
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Is Tuesday’s guest Linda Bennett?
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And if so, then it’s the Creature with an Atomic Brain.
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Tuesday Linda Bennett, today S. John Launer in CREATURE WITH THE ATOM BRAIN.
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S. John Launer yesterday and Richard Denning today.
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Thursday: Ben Alexander
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Sgt. Joe Friday says, “Alas, I’m afraid not.”
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Thursday – S. John Launer
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S. John Launer for today.
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The Creature with the Atom Brain (1955)
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My beloved Benito is the master of this genre. Anytime you get the guys in gas masks, he is all over that stuff. It’s wonderfully educational and entertaining, sharing a bed and 24/7 TCM with that man.
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Richard Denning and Angela Stevens today, S. John launer yesterday.
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Angela Stevens; Ms. Stevens and Richard Denning
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Angela Stevens and Richard Denning.
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CREATURE WITH THE ATOMIC BRAIN, directed by the unflappably efficient, Edward L. Cahn.
Tuesday: Linda Bennett
Wednesday: Richard H. Cutting
Thursday: S. John Launer
Friday: Angela Stevens and Richard Denning
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