USA, 1963
89m
35mm film, black and white, 1.85:1
mono (Westrex Recording System), English
An American science fiction/horror film directed by Herbert L. Strock.
Plot Summary
A space mission goes horribly wrong when the capsule detonates in orbit, killing its astronaut who has gone insane after being possessed by an alien force. The wreckage crashes to earth outside a small town where a teenager finds the astronaut's severed arm which comes to life and goes on a murderous rampage.
Credits
Crew
Directed by: Herbert L. Strock
Copyright Joseph F. Robertson production MCMLXIII [1963]
A Joseph F. Robertson production
Produced by: Joseph F. Robertson
Associate Producer: Donald J. Hansen, Edward Finch Abrams
Screenplay by: Wm. Idelson [William Idelson], Herbert L. Strock
From an Original Story by: Joseph Cranston, Malcolm Young, Wm. Idelson
Director of Photography: Willard Van Der Veer
Film Editor: Herbert L. Strock
Sound: J. Earl Snyder
Make Up: Don Cash
Cinematic Effects: BLH Productions
Cast
Peter Breck [Steve Curan]
Kent Taylor [Doc Weitzberg]
Rod Lauren [Paul Lawrence]
Alan Hale [sheriff]
Allison Hayes [secretary]
Sirry Steffen [Marta Farnstrom]
Arline Judge [Mrs Hotchkiss]
Richard Arlen [Lee Barrenger]
Tristam Coffin [Tristram Coffin] [Security Chief Meidel]
Ross Elliott [Deputy Earl Harrison]
G. Stanley Jones [Stan Jones] [funeral director]
Jock Putnam [ambulance attendant]
Andy Andrews [ambulance attendant]
Syd Saylor [soda shop owner]
Ed Wermer [Professor Farnstrom]
Beverley Lunsford [Patsy Townsend]
Les Hoyle [man]
Alternative Titles
The Creeping Hand – working title
Don't Cry Wolf – working title
La mano que se arrastra – Mexican title
La mano strisciante – Italian title
Tomorrow You Die – working title
Крадущаяся рука – Russian title
Links
Extracts included in
The 50 Worst Movies Ever Made (2004)
Celluloid Bloodbath: More Prevues from Hell (2012)
Fantastic Fantasy Fright-o-Rama Show Vol. 1 (1996)
Nightmare Festival (1989)
References
Periodicals
The Daily Cinema no.8957 (28 August 1964) p.6 – credits, review
Kine Weekly no.2970 (3 September 1964) p.9 – credits, review
Monthly Film Bulletin vol.31 no.369 (October 1964) p.147 – credits, synopsis, review
Books
Horror and Science Fiction Films: A Checklist by Donald C. Willis p.95 – credits
Reference Guide to Fantastic Films by Walt Lee p.77 – credits
