Demonio del sol

This semi-professional low-budget horror film is worth seeing for two reasons: The tormented performance of Robert Clarke in the title role, and the terrific creature makeup. The film does have its weaknesses; the low budget shows, and we see (or, rather, we hear) several good examples of why a film's dialog track is rarely recorded on location but usually dubbed in later in a studio: Several of this film's locations were acoustically unsuitable, as the soundtrack clearly reveals. Nevertheless, I still insist that this film, with a title creature that's certainly original, offers rewards for patient viewers.

Robert Clarke wrote, directed, and starred in this film about a scientist that is exposed to a special radioactive isotope that makes him change into a lizard-like man everytime he is touched by the rays of the sun. Clarke is the scientist that has a drinking problem and an overactive libido as well. The film is VERY cheaply made, and most of the actors(okay, all of the actors) could have really benefited from a few acting lessons. The film nonetheless is very entertaining. There are some scenes which will make you laugh and cry( a higher level of laughter) because of their ineptitude and improbability. The scene where our evolution from fish and lizards being described is a gem, as are the two scenes where Clarke really goes overboard screaming "Why Me!" and the like. There are some well-shot scenes too. The ending is very nicely done, and the scenes with Clarke and a little girl have some poignant moments. The gal playing Trudy, a night club singer that Clarke dates in the middle of an evening trying to help him forget his plight no doubt, is Nan Peterson and a REAL knockout! Peterson shows more than ample cleavage to keep even the most hardened of critics entertained. All in all required film viewing for the aficionado of le bad cinema.

Memorable independently produced 50s monster fare has Clarke (who sci-fi fans will remember from the equally memorable "The Man From Planet X") as a scientist whose exposure to radioactive isotopes causes him to become a monster whenever exposed to the sun. The film is extraordinary in that its focus is on the effect the transformation has on Clarke's character, emotionally and morally; his excessive drinking and his search for nightlife exemplify this. Having been forced by his vampire-like condition to avoid the sun and the "good girl" he knows in town, he has no option but to live the other way. By taking a floozy out for a moonlit walk (she seems really surprised when he says he actually wants to take a walk, perhaps expecting a mere pickup) he shows how he wants to make his night world into a respectable one, but can't (the sun again turns him into the demon).

Good makeup, nice performances in the B-mode all around. If you're a fan of these kind of movies, this is the movie you're looking for -- one of the best of its kind.

The Hideous Sun Demon (1958)

** (out of 4)

Dr. Gilbert McKenna (Robert Clarke) is working on an experiment when something goes wrong and he's exposed to radiation. At first it appears that he's going to make it through okay but once he's put into the sunlight he turns into the title creature, a hideously deformed creature (looking like a lizard) and soon she's out on a killing spree.

THE HIDEOUS SUN DEMON marked the only time character actor Clarke stepped into the director's chair. The film has the reputation of being one of the worst horror movies of the decade but I think those who say that are being way too tough on the film. Just looking at the picture you can tell that they were working on very little money. Yes, the story too isn't all that original or inspiring. There's also some questionable performances scattered throughout the picture. Even with the countless flaws here, I've always found the film at least watchable thanks in large part to the terrific looking monster.

I really thought the look of the monster was excellent and this alone kept the film from reaches the levels of the worst of the decade. I guess it's best to say the creature looks like some sort of lizard but I liked the design of the make-up (or mask) and I especially liked the way the mouth was designed. Towards the end of the film the character has its shirt ripped off, which gives us even more views of the work and to me it's quite impressive. Another good thing is the music score and the recycled music that would turn up in other films including the same year's PLAN 9 FROM OUTER SPACE.

The film really isn't all that original with the screenplay pretty much being a copy of Universal's THE WOLF MAN with the exception here being it's the sun instead of the moon that turns the lead character. For the most part Clarke remains watchable in the film and his direction isn't too bad either. Of all the supporting players it's probably Nan Peterson that gets the most attention but not for her performance. No, her rack is pretty much on full display throughout the picture so I'm sure teenage boys seeing this at the drive-in back in the day were very happy.

I bought the movie and watched it yesterday..I thought it was above average for a B-movie..I have seen recent movies a lot worse then this..a little slow in parts but I felt kind of saddened for the guy/monster in the end for him,since he didn't ask for this radiation accident..but all in all I felt it was worth the money and to have it as a collection,since I am a huge fan of 50's science fiction movies.Just remember,you have to realize this was made back in the 50's..so the special effects aren't like they are computerized or anything like now,but I thought they did a good job with the costume as a lizard man.Actually it was harder work for everyone then to make a monster then now.There certainly where some very exciting/creepy/scary moments throughout the movie and making it black and white really added to the horror of it all.