The Hideous Sun Demon (1958)

Very well executed

Exactly the movie you think it is, but not the movie you want it to be.

The storyline feels a little thin and moth-eaten in parts but this sequel is plenty of fun.

The story, direction, characters, and writing/dialogue is akin to taking a tranquilizer shot to the neck, but everything else was so well done.

Plan 9 from Outer Space. Howard the Duck. Return of the Kung Fu Dragon. There, three films that are much worse than this one and yet they all have higher scores. Granted I am not saying Sun Demon is some hidden masterpiece but it does have some merits. So the story goes that a scientist is exposed to a new radioactive isotope never encountered before. They find out that the scientist-who is named Gil-now has to live with the terrible side effect of transforming into a lizard creature in the sunlight. Kind of a random really but I have seen radiation do stranger things. Plus the explanation behind it is kind of clever. Kind of. So Gil has to stay inside all the time and also starts up a romance with a nightclub singer who has some mafia ties. Things quickly go downhill from there. Sun Demon was written and directed by Clarke and for being his first time in both departments, he does a pretty decent job. The story is pretty well structured and he knows how to frame a good shot. The monster costume-while not great-certainly isn't bad and I actually give it props for being unique. Clarke-who also plays Gil- brings a real conviction to the character and I can actually buy that this guy is going through some real turmoil. You get a sense of helplessness from Gil and I really sympathized with him. Someone said that Sun Demon was like a "reverse Wolf-Man" which perfectly summarizes the situation. However, that is where my praises end as the other stuff is pretty standard. It deals with elements of nuclear radiation and tampering with the universe, typical 50's sci-fi stuff. It's nothing really new or groundbreaking. Which I think stops it from being more than just typical convention. The other problem is that the dialogue and acting can be awkward and clunky in spots. At one point, Gil starts fighting with this mob guy and it looked so fake that it made me laugh. Not to mention one scene where the singer is supposed to scream in horror at something off screen, but it comes off as so forced. Little moments like that are sprinkled throughout and add up pretty quickly. Still, I think there are some pretty decent parts to this film that are at least worth a pat on the back. If you want a laugh out load bad movie, just go watch Plan 9. Sun Demon is more like a mixed bag that I would only suggest watching if you love classic sci-fi or really enjoy werewolf or werewolf like movies.

The effect of gamma rays really does have an effect on the man in the science laboratory. Sunshine on his shoulders makes him scaly. Funny, when I got a really bad sun burn, the worst thing that happened to me was that my face puffed up like Rocky Graciano. But like him, looking in the mirror was a horrendous sight. Creams and lotions made my face reduce to normal size, but for Robert Clarke, nothing will stop him, 'cause his illness is atomic! This deliciously bad horror movie takes snippets of other famous movies and novels, both horror and non-horror, among them "Jekyll and Hyde", "Frankenstein" and even the James Cagney film "White Heat"! When Clarke picks up a rat while in his monster guise, you half expect him to crack, "Breakfast!" I couldn't help but laugh at Nan Peterson's hysterically bad song, "Strange Pursuit", which I had recalled Gilda Radner making fun of in "It Came From Hollywood". I guess while researching the monster footage in creation of that schlock Hollywood documentary, they came across this and inserted it in the bad musicals sequence. It becomes pretty much a repeated theme, but it ain't no "As Time Goes By" and she ain't no Marilyn. Still, there's a lot here to chuckle at, and with a running time of just 75 minutes, it isn't a total waste of time. The film also makes good location use of the Pacific Coast Highway. The monster, fortunately, isn't a stupid looking creature, but is definitely a "Creature From the Black Lagoon" rip-off. I suggest watching this and the hysterically dubbed follow-up, "What's Up, Hideous Sun Demon" which has the DVD title of "Revenge of the Sun Demon".

Who wouldn't want to see a movie called, "The Hideous Sun Demon"? What a great title for a fifties "B" sci-fi thriller! The pan at the beginning from the ambulance to the sun (the catalyst for what turns our subject into the hideous monster) works well.Radiation is such a great vehicle for "plausibility" in changing otherwise normal human beings and animals into "hideous" monsters! This movie is no exception. Released in 1959, this movie would have been riding on the nuclear concerns of that era.The explanation as to how a man could wind up turning into a reptile-like creature is less than plausible, but heck... who cares? The fun of the movie is watching the life of the tortured genius and how he deals with the effects the nuclear accident.The scenes of our hero standing on the cliff, contemplating ending it all show the depth of his despair, however, it is never explained why this character is so brooding. We can understand the impact of having to reorder his life in order to keep from becoming his lizard-like other self, however, we are never informed as to why he has become so recklessly dependent on the bottle. This would have helped deepen the character.The song the blonde Marilyn Monroe wannabe (Trudy) sings to him is, well, "Torchy." "Strange Desire." It says it all, eh?Speaking of songs, I actually enjoyed the happy little rock and roll tune that's played while he's having the tar beaten out of him by "Mugsy" and friends.One mystery I'll never be able to solve... how'd he get his coat back from blondie (Trudy)?We see the tender side of this man when he is being aided by the child in the pump house at the oil fields. This helps us to see more dimension in the man and how his alter-ego, the scaly monster is not really who he is.The interaction between the busty blonde babe and himself are a bit puzzling. Why does he come on so strong when they are at the beach and why does she cozy up to him after backing away so strongly? Probably just awkwardness in the script writing.The scenes of the monster running about are good. Clarke handles the physical aspect of being a superhuman monster well.With regard to the police shooting scene on the top of the structure the monster is being chased on, was this officer Barney Fife with only one bullet? He shoots the monster, then when the monster rushes him (the policeman), he throws his gun at him. What the heck?This movie is a classic tragedy in so many ways. The monster side of Clarke, although changed psychologically, is never looking for trouble. He just wants to get out of the sun so he can return to his human self. However, the complications of his own bad choices put him in touch with the wrong element and he retaliates when he is being harmed physically.This sets him up to be hunted by "those who don't understand," thus ending his pathetic existence.This movie actually ascends it's "B" rating in many ways. It is a must-see for those who enjoy the black and white fifties sci-fi.

While not the great classic, this movie does have a solid place in '50s sci-fi movie. The plot is pretty original, and I can see why a person would be in lot of trouble if he turns into a reptile as soon as he's exposed to sun. I watched this movie on TV when I was a kid and have been looking to find it for some time. Now it's up on Youtube, and I've seen it after over 40 years. What interested be after watching was of course the plot which I didn't understand when I was a kid, and also the gas station scenes. The gas was going for $.27 per gallon, and it was full service back then. Another thing is that people smoked a lot more then than now. It's not bad of a movie for one man to produce, star and direct, and I give Robert Clarke high score for the attempt. For one who didn't live that time or seen this movie back then, this movie probably don't mean much, but watching it now, I see that people really were different back then, and this movie brings back memories of how things were.