The Colossus of New York (1958)

The Colossus of New York (Dir: Eugène Lourié, 1958). 

Low budget sci fi shocker of the ‘good scientist gone bad’ variety, from Paramount Pictures. 

With story aspects and visuals borrowed liberally from the likes of Der Golem (Paul Wegener & Carl Boese, 1920) and Frankenstein (James Whale, 1931) The Colossus of New York tells of acclaimed scientist Dr Jerry Spensser (Ross Martin); cut down in his prime on the eve of collecting an International Peace Prize. After relieving the dead body of its brain, his surgeon father (Otto Kruger) and automation expert brother (John Baragrey) promptly insert the cranium into that of a 8 foot metal man and, with some incredible shortsightedness, inexplicably fit the robot with death ray laser eyes! Lamenting the lack of a soul and understandably upset at his brother's romancing of his widow (Mala Powers), Dr Jerry breaks free of the laboratory that binds him, and heads cityward, all eyes blazing! But not before a weirdly touching reunion with his fatherless young son Billy (Charles Herbert). 

The Colossus of New York is an incredibly silly movie, but it is not at all bad. Its title is misleading; there certainly is a colossus and he is definitely in New York, or at least in front of a back projection of New York. But those expecting to see a titanic tin man rampaging through Times Square will be bitterly disappointed. It takes until the final reel for the colossus to rock up in the Big Apple and then he causes little actual destruction. Still, much of the movie is moodily atmospheric and the 'bot itself would be pretty intimidating in a dark alley. 

Director Eugène Lourié does his best with what limited resources he has but, as usual, is hampered by a small budget. Also a noted art director Lourié, would direct only four movies, all of which were sci-fi/horror genre flicks. While he certain displayed a flair for the subjects, he sadly never graduated from second features and would not repeat the success of his directorial debut, creature feature classic The Beast from 20,000 Fathoms (E. Lourié, 1953). 

Despite its obvious flaws (mainly due to budgetary constraints) The Colossus of New York is well worth a watch. It is no masterpiece, but is well directed and entertaining. With some unintentional giggles along the way. The moral of the tale? Automation is a wonderful thing, but don’t go putting human brains in robots.