The_Void The aim of becoming immortal is a fairly common theme in horror movies and has been experimented with often. A feature that is often a part of movies that focus on this idea is the central perpetrator killing off living people in order to achieve their aim of immortality, and that's basically what we have with this film. The Man Who Turned to Stone was clearly shot on a budget and is very much a 1950's 'B' picture, but in spite of that this film showcases some good ideas and the plot, while completely lacking in suspense, is at least interesting enough to keep the audience entertained for the duration; although that duration is only seventy two minutes. The plot focuses on a group of scientists that have beaten death by way of keeping the series of chemical reactions that keeps everyone alive going. The downside to this, however, is the fact that in order to keep this going; they have to sacrifice a human life. The scientists are currently residing over a women's prison, and the prisoners are starting to wonder why so many of their number is disappearing...The script written by Bernard Gordon has its fair number of plot holes, inconsistencies and illogical events; but you have to expect that sort of thing from a fifties B-movie. The film was shot on a budget and it really shows; it looks cheap throughout and nothing about it is particularly outstanding. The plot is definitely interesting in spite of this; and in spite of the fact that it contains very little in the way of tension or suspense. Finding out exactly what is behind the central mystery is really the only thing that manages to keep the film going for most of the duration. The acting is not great either, with none of the little known central cast really impressing. The prison setting is not convincing, with most of the girls being quite happy and there's not a sign of anything restraining them to the building in site. Once the main revelation is out of the way, the film boils down to a rather predictable ending. However, despite all the film's flaws; The Man Who Turned to Stone is at least a fun timewaster and doesn't outstay its welcome.

Michael_Elliott Man Who Turned to Stone, The (1957) ** 1/2 (out of 4) Low key Columbia horror film about a 200+ year-old doctor who keeps himself alive by having his assistants kill off girls at a detention center. When his assistants try and turn against him, the man becomes a walking piece of stone and seeks revenge. This is a very low budget movie but it's pretty good throughout due in large part to some strong direction by Laszlo Kardos. The ending is very well done and there's a large amount of atmosphere throughout the picture even though it's really nothing original. The make up effects are also pretty good considering the budget and with the proper lighting the monster too comes off well.

preppy-3 This takes place at the LaSalle Detention Home for Girls. Quite a few healthy girls there seem to die suddenly of heart attacks. It seems the head of the school Dr. Murdock (Victor Jory) and associates are hundreds of years old and need to siphon the energy from young girls to stay alive. If not they petrify and turn to stone. Staff member Carol Adams (Charlotte Austin) and Dr. Rogers (William Hudson) try to find out what's going on.Pretty laughable. The detention home for "girls" is full of actresses who are obviously in their 20s and 30s and are all so cheerful and happy. The plot itself is pretty stupid and the dialogue is pretty hysterical. Still the cast plays this blessedly straight and nobody is really bad--Jory and pro Ann Doran give out the best performances. Also the makeup on people turning to stone is pretty effective. Not good but fun in a strange sort of way.Best line--"I'll bet you a box of Girl Scout cookies that somebody died last night!"

artzau I remember seeing this film in 1957 which was only a step beyond the paranoia sparked by the McCarthy era and which saw a number of sci-fi thrillers which touched on themes of alien intrusions subverting the innocent. This film, alas, was one of the worst. The whole picture speaks of low budget-- the scene where the victims are "drained of their life essence," supporting the immortality of the bad guys is done in a wash tub with wires inserted-- and the acting is often garish. How Paul Cavanaugh and Victor Jory made this with straight faces amazes me. I had great respect for these actors-- they're the only ones I can remember-- but I recall leaving the theater shaking my head at what a terrible movie this was...even for back then. If it shows up on the late show, be advised it might provoke more laughs than chills.