bensonmum2
Dr. Gilbert McKenna (Robert Clarke) is a research scientist who is accidentally exposed to a new type of radiation. At first, he seems to be doing remarkably well. However, once in direct sunlight, Gil's body begins to change. He goes through a devolution process and turns into some sort of out-of-control, lizard-type creature. "Hideous" is the right word to describe Gil's transformation. The special effect suit is about as good as I've seen in a 1950s era sci-fi/horror film. I'd rate it right up there with the suit from Creature from the Black Lagoon. It's really nicely done. The acting is hit or miss. Clarke does a good job playing the tortured victim. I also enjoyed Nan Peterson as Trudy Osborne - not because she's a particularly great actress, but she channel's Marilyn Monroe quit well. Some of the performances, however, are laughable. I'm thinking of the dude who played the gangster - I think it was Peter Similuk. Just awful. The problem with The Hideous Sun Demon and the thing that keeps me from rating it higher is there's really not much plot here. The movie is full of padding. The runtime is only 74 minutes, but I'd bet at least 20 of those minutes felt like filler. For example, I think there are more scenes of people driving around California than there are scenes devoted to the titular Sun Demon.
Rainey Dawn
I got this film in a 12 Movie Horror Classics pack. The pack has some pretty good horror movies but this one is terrible.I don't know what is worse: the cinematography, dialogue, the story, the acting, the directing - it's all bad. Really bad. Yet there is something watchable about this awful film. I think it's the sheer awfulness of it that makes the film watchable. LOL.A radiation experiment goes bad and a man becomes a horrible creature every time he is exposed to the sun. - That is the basic story.If you are looking for a creature feature that will get you sleepy or a few giggles then this is the film for you. If not, then by all means pass this movie up - it's terrible yet somewhat watchable for certain audiences.2/10
johnc2141
I remember watching the hideous sun demon back in the day on chiller theater or creature features,and it was just one of those monster movies you remember.i recently watched the sun demon on off beat cinema they always put on good bad cheese movies.the best thing about the hideous sun demon is beautiful buxom sexy blonde Nan Peterson.she plays piano with a slow right hand but she looks good so who cares if she sings off key,well anyway the sun demon is a poor fellow who is affected by the suns rays,much like Larry Talbot and the full moon.well veteran horror actor;Robert Clarke is a research scientist that gets exposed to radiation and turns into a scaly beast in need of some powerful sun screen.most horror buffs will notice the soundtrack was later used in the killer shrews and night of the living dead.by the way Robert Clarke produced and directed this mini masterpiece.but the best thing about this movie is sexy Nan Peterson.kudos to off beat cinema showing this gem.its the first time i've seen this in years. this was remade sort of in 1976 as;track of the moon beast.but it was'nt very good.this film will make you remember the era when monster movies ruled.i enjoyed the hideous sun demon as a good bad movie.i think Robert Clarke did pretty good.and of course double honors to Nan Peterson,she makes singing off key sexy.7 out of 10.
praxistens
My dad seldom went to bed after 10 p.m., but one night we stayed up late to watch The Hideous Sun Demon: I was what, maybe 12? Dr. McKenna's exposed to radiation (back in the "duck'n cover" days), & sunlight turns him into a raving reptilian savage. Actor, writer, & director Robert Clarke gets lotsa mileage out of quick cuts, extreme closeups, & his in-laws, with three of them making their film debuts. (Clarke was married to one of the singing King Sisters.)Nan Peterson as Trudy is Dr. McKenna's beachfront fling, & when I watch this now on DVD, the kissy scene where her blanket drops to expose her legs must've been highly erotic for a 12-yr-old in the early 60s. Eventually, Dr. McKenna, during his flight from his fate, spends the night at Trudy's apartment, so the censors must've been taking a welcome respite from their moral chores.Sure, the acting is stiff & the premise absurd, but Hideous Sun Demon is a compendium of 1959 Los Angeles in a way that no public TV documentary could ever be.
AD
