The Gamma People

Set in the mythical 'Democracy of Gudavia and shot in what looks the Tyrol (the locals serving as extras background just stand around and gawp), the dialogue is obviously post-synced and it has a noisy score by George Melachrino.

Paul Douglas and Leslie Phillips make a highly unlikely team in this cross between Hitchcock's 'The Lady Vanishes' and Losey's 'The Damned' as a pair holidaying newspapermen who uncover a dastardly scheme to genetically engineer a new master race.

You know you're in trouble when the project is in the hands of our old friend Walter Rilla, but Eva Bartok looks most fetching in short hair and a satin boiler suit with a Nehru collar.

Now here's a real oddity. Made before the British scifi/horror boom of the late 50s, this eccentric film mixes gruesome scientific experiments with farcical comedy, set in a fictitious Iron Curtain state. And one of the stars, playing a straight role, is Leslie Phillips. So is it any good? Well the clash of styles is somewhat disconcerting, but the film is attractively photographed and the action and horror scenes well staged. Some talented personnel worked on it ; the likes of Ted Moore and John Box, plus John Gilling who went on to do some good Hammer horrors. "The Gamma People" isn't quite in that league but still merits a viewing.

Wow- I saw this movie on TV when I was about 6 or 7 and it has remained with me for 55 years- I didn't know the title but I remember the carriage of the train that the two guys were in at the beginning of the film being detached from the rest of the train and then being redirected to a remote village where a mad scientist was experimenting on people and turning them into goons- I thought I would never find it and it drove me mad so many times- watched so many old horror movies over the years hoping this could be that elusive one- finally found it on the UK Talking Pictures channel - was it as great as I remember as a kid? Of course not, but very entertaining and I can now have a peaceful retirement!

Due to a train mishap, two reporters (Paul Douglas and Leslie Phillips) find themselves in the tiny country of Gudavia. At first imprisoned as spies, then released, the pair find it very difficult to actually leave the country.

Noticing some odd behavior among the townspeople, they are tipped off about a certain Dr. Boronski (Walter Rilla) and the possibility that he could be meddling with nature in order to create a master race. This could explain the stiff, militaristic children running around!

THE GAMMA PEOPLE is a solid, astute political thriller with science fiction and comedy / satire added as well. It's wonderful how the reporters stir up trouble for the government and its nefarious plans! A rare, enjoyable film about freedom of the press in action, resulting in an open rebellion against oppression. The explosive finale is perfect!...

A mad professor takes over a castle in a country no one knows and creates weird kids and goons like something out of Village of the Damned, only this movie came out before the book. If you are up for watching a B grade horror / Sci-fi from yesteryear, it might be worth trying. Incredibly silly.