The Man Who Turned to Stone

The Man Who Turned to Stone (a.k.a. The Petrified Man[1]) is a 1957 American black-and-white horror science fiction film directed by László Kardos and starring Victor Jory, Ann Doran and Charlotte Austin.[2] The screenplay was written by Bernard Gordon under his pen name Raymond T. Marcus.[3] The Man Who Turned to Stone was released in 1957 on a double bill with another Katzman-produced film, Zombies of Mora Tau.[3]

The Man Who Turned to Stone
Theatrical release insert poster
Directed byLászló Kardos
(as Laszlo Kardos)
Produced bySam Katzman
Written byBernard Gordon
(as Raymond T. Marcus)
StarringVictor Jory
Ann Doran
Charlotte Austin
CinematographyBenjamin H. Kline
Edited byCharles Nelson
Production
company
Sam Katzman Productions
Distributed byColumbia Pictures
Release date
  • March 1957 (1957-03)
Running time
72 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

Plot

Two social workers, Dr. Jess Rogers (Hudson) and Carol Adams (Austin) grow concerned over the number deaths of young women at a local young women's detention home. The otherwise healthy inmates are healthy inmates dying of heart failure or suicide. The social workers discover that the manager of the detention home is Dr. Murdock (Victor Jory).

Tracy, one of the inmates, discovers a hidden laboratory. The lab is the base of group of unethical doctors who learned of hundred years ago to extend their lives by draining the vitality of others.Without such transfusions, they begin to slowly petrify. They have become the medical staff of doctors at a girls' reform school, assuring a steady supply of vital young bodies to feed upon.

The two social workers begin a quiet investigation, eventually exposing the doctors and their crimes and saving future victims.

Cast

Production

Written by Hollywood blacklist screenwriter Bernard Gordon, who used the pseudonym Raymond T. Marcus for this picture.[4]

Reception

The Encyclopedia of Science Fiction found the movie covered ground that even at the time of release were already passe. It stated that the movie blends the juvenile delinquency genre with the horror-scifi which helps the movie and that the acting was credible.[5] Variety found the movie a lesser work in the horror genre, adequate to hold the lower half of a double feature.[6]

Home Release

Available to stream on YouTube as of June 2020.[7] Released on DVD as a solo movie in 2011,[8] and in 2015 as a four pack.[9]

See also

References
  1. MOVIELAND EVENTS: Victor Jory Stars in Science Thriller Los Angeles Times (1923-Current File) [Los Angeles, Calif] 05 Oct 1956: 27.
  2. The Man Who Turned to Stone on IMDb
  3. It Came from 1957: A Critical Guide to the Year's Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror Films by Rob Craig (Sep 25, 2013)
  4. https://www.tvguide.com/movies/the-man-who-turned-to-stone/review/126532/
  5. http://sf-encyclopedia.com/entry/man_who_turned_to_stone_the
  6. https://archive.org/details/variety205-1957-02/page/n173/mode/1up?q=%22sam+katzman%22
  7. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s84_4LolZqI&list=PL_faeipjhlBBsdUbj_KmnMUEet4L8dlML&index=2&t=0s
  8. https://www.amazon.com/Man-Turned-Stone-Phil-Doran/dp/B004D00030
  9. https://www.amazon.com/Classic-Horror-Movie-Pack-Magician/dp/B00WV7TOPC/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8

Bibliography
  • Warren, Bill. Keep Watching the Skies: American Science Fiction Films of the Fifties, 21st Century Edition. Jefferson, North Carolina: McFarland & Company, 2009, ISBN 0-89950-032-3.
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