THE BRUTE MAN (1946)
Director: Jean Yarbrough
Image Entertainment

What shame Universal Pictures should have had in titling this, Rondo Hatton's last film, at "the Studio that Cashed in on His Deformity" in a series of films that began with a Sherlock Holmes film THE PEARL OF DEATH.

THE BRUTE MAN (produced by Universal, but perhaps due to embarrassment this opus was released through Producers Releasing Corp.) still retains the opening so familiar to Universal B-horror films of the 40s: The Creeper walking as the credits roll over the screen. THE BRUTE MAN is basically the story of how he acquired the acromegaly that made him ideal for horror films in the first place.

The film begins with the police in hot pursuit of a murderer (The Creeper, who else?) on the loose who lumbers through a small East Coast city. He passes by Hampton College's Collegiate Cafe where a group of students are swing-dancing to the tunes of the 40s. The crowd stops cold as the monolith of a man looks inside. No need for laxatives! This group is ready to head straight for the Crapper! The townsfolk also won't be in need of a chiropractor either as The Creeper goes on a back-breaking spree!

But seriously this is a cut-rate variation on the "Beauty and the Beast" theme. In his travels to elude the long arm of the law The Creeper happens upon the home of a sweet, innocent blind girl, Helen Paige. The cast is interesting for its use of actress Jane Adams (of HOUSE OF DRACULA (1945) fame) in the role. Hers is the best performance in the film and shows what a good actress could do in the right part. Adams is still living in Rancho Mirage, California (near Palm Springs) and celebrated over 50 years of marriage to Major General Thomas Turnage. She recalled her days at Universal Pictures with gleeful delight to Gregory William Mank in his essential Women in Horror Films, 1940s.

Rondo Hatton appeared in films which mercilessly exploited his disease which resulted from exposure to poison gas in World War I. Hatton appeared as The Creeper in PEARL OF DEATH (1944) with Basil Rathbone as Sherlock Holmes; was paired opposite that divinely mad German, Martin Kosleck, in HOUSE OF HORRORS (1946) and finally this effort from the same year.

Tom Neal also stars in this meller as the boyfriend of Jane Adams. Neal's personal life is worthy of a film in itself as the actor was jailed for murder and lived a tough, boozy existence before hitting the slammer and will always be remembered for his role in Edgar Ulmer's classic noir DETOUR (1945).

The cinematography by Maury Gertsman is also evocative of the best of film noir, highly charged with mood and atmospherically lit. Gertsman would lens a number of memorable genre standouts, notably FOUR SKULLS OF JONATHAN DRAKE (1959), HOW TO MAKE A MONSTER (1958), THE CREATURE WALKS AMONG US (1956), HOUSE OF HORRORS (1946) and even the much maligned SHE-WOLF OF LONDON (1946).

The film was directed by Jean Yarbrough, a staple at Universal at the time, although making SHE-WOLF OF LONDON was nothing to be proud of on a resume. Yarborough helmed a few of the Abbott and Costello films for Universal but also gave his all for the genre with THE DEVIL BAT (1943) and KING OF THE ZOMBIES (1942).

There are 11 chapter stops in this DVD presentation. The picture quality is crisp and positively outstanding. For all Rondo Fans out there, THE BRUTE MAN is a must for your collection! (Christopher Dietrich)

 

BACK TO REVIEWS

HOME