Story
"Manster," released in 1959, is a unique blend of science fiction and horror filmmaking, directed by George P. Breakston and Kenneth G. Crane. The film is noteworthy for being an early example of East-West collaboration in cinema, as it was shot in Japan with a mixed American and Japanese cast. Breakston, an American director, writer, and actor, had a varied career that included directing several films in Japan during the post-war era. Kenneth G. Crane, on the other hand, was known for directing low-budget horror and sci-fi films during the 1950s and 1960s.The plot centers around American reporter Larry Stanford, who, while stationed in Japan, is exposed to a sinister scientific experiment by the nefarious Dr. Suzuki. Injecting Stanford with a mysterious serum, Dr. Suzuki sets off a chain of events that lead Stanford to transform into a monstrous, two-headed creature. The narrative explores themes of identity, transformation, and the ethical boundaries of scientific experimentation. The horror element is significantly magnified by the duality of the protagonist's change, both mentally and physically, which was rather groundbreaking at the time.The cast includes Peter Dyneley, who plays Larry Stanford, and Hiroshima-born actor Tetsu Nakamura as Dr. Suzuki. Dyneley was a British actor whose career spanned numerous films and television shows, but he is perhaps best known for this role and for providing voices in the TV series "Thunderbirds." Tetsu Nakamura was a prolific character actor in both Japanese and American films, often cast in roles that highlighted his stern demeanor. The film, despite its modest budget and production scale, has garnered a cult following over the years and is often remembered for its eerie atmosphere and innovative makeup effects for the monster transformation sequences.