THE HIDEOUS SUN DEMON (1959)
Director: Robert Clarke
Image Entertainment

Robert Clarke wrote, produced, directed and starred in this enjoyable monster-on-the-loose cheapie. He originally conceived it as a sci-fi send-up of the Fredric March version of DR. JEKYLL AND MR. HYDE, recalling a time when he played hooky from school to catch a screening of the 1931 classic.

The story is good, centering on a Larry Talbot-like man who becomes cursed after exposure to radiation. The switch here is that he becomes a reptilian creature during the day, when he is bathed in the rays of the shining sun. Forced into hiding, Clarke's character becomes despondent as he tries to find a cure while scurrying across the town avoiding exposure to daylight.

There are serious moments as well as unintentional laughs, as Clarke picks up a blonde in a bar and takes her to the beach at night. He ditches her the next morning in a panic when he wakes up in the sunlight after falling asleep.

This Image release comes from the fun-filled "Wade Williams Collection" and it looks pretty good. It's easily the best-looking presentation of this movie thus far, and fully satisfying. It's presented full screen, and not as dark as other prints. It includes the famous "rat scene" as well, for those of you getting stuck with cut prints in the past.

A theatrical trailer is included in the deal, as well as a modest but essential message from Robert Clarke on the inside cover, taken from the autobiography, To "B" or Not To "B" -- A Film Actor's Odyssey by Clarke and Tom Weaver. (Joe Lozowsky)

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