While walking a man finds a briefcase. He thinks he struck it rich so he brings the suitcase home. When he opens it there is just a man's head inside that tells him orders. ex: "Bring me a glass of water". He sneaks the suitcase back to the park and some other man finds it and the movie ends. Warner brothers made a spoof of this with the man that finds the talking frog in a construction site. Does anyone know this movie? ++++++++++++++++++++++ 06-05-02, 04:49 PM Georgia85 Looks like you have us all stumped. So far 85 folks have checked out your question but no one seems to know the answer...not even me! Sure wish someone would respond tho - I'm very curious! confused
06-05-02, 04:58 PM clarebear My mom talks about this movie all the time. She said it scared her half to death. smile It was when she was a little girl and got her first TV set she saw this movie. I was black and white. I would just love to suprise her with the movie.
06-05-02, 05:04 PM gizmogram Oh gosh! I saw this movie years and years ago but darned if I can remember the name - I remember it distinctly though, since that darned talking head in the box just totally freaked me out! I'll continue pondering over it and maybe it'll come to me!
06-05-02, 05:22 PM Liz Well, I did some research, but all I could come up with was that the Warner Bros. Cartoon is called "One Froggy Evening" I'll keep trying though, and hopefully will be able to come up with something soon!
06-05-02, 05:34 PM Georgia85 "The Brain That Wouldn't Die" - but head is that of a woman's...
06-05-02, 07:47 PM Debra If you ever come across a contest where your trying to stump someone this is the question to ask! I've asked my family about the film and although three of them could remember the film not one of them could remember the title! It looks to me like you have us all wracking our brains trying to figure this one out. I sure hope someone figures it out soon! confused
06-08-02, 09:55 AM bedstor If you could remember something like the name of one of the actors or actresses ,Director? producer,or even the company who made the movie?,then one of us will locate the movies title with one of these leads fast! confused
06-08-02, 07:07 PM Junkman462 I too remember the movie, but not the name. In the Audiogalaxy bulletin board " looking for a song" forum, songs are almost always identified by some astute reader. They might also know movie trivia. Is there a movie buff site anywhere with a Q&A bulletin board?
06-09-02, 10:56 AM esencia I looked & looked but found nothing. My dad remembered the movie but not the name. He said it was a sci-fi from the 1950's. A man finds a head in a satchel at the park & he takes it home. He said he remembered the way the eyes just stared at the guy. The head then put him in a trance & gave him orders. Bring me water. He said the head also told this guy to kill people. Maybe that will help some others who have luck at finding stuff. Maybe my dad will remember the title. Good Luck! Esencia
06-09-02, 01:55 PM bedstor Here is a site whereyou more than likely find an answer There is a chat and mailbag on the homepage , so if you don't find it by browsing you can leave a message. The address is: www.badmovieplanet.com I found it by chance leafing through Computeractive magazine whose site has lots of live linkswww.computeractive.co.uk cool
06-09-02, 04:56 PM clarebear Thanks bedstor. I emailed the guy from the bad movie planet. If I get a response I'll let everyone know. smile
06-09-02, 05:15 PM bedstor Pleased to be of service wink
06-10-02, 12:56 AM esencia I wrote somebody from a forum on the sci-fi.com site. He is apparently a film buff. His response was:
The movie you may be referring to is THE THING THAT COULDN'T DIE. It was made in 1958. Curiously enough, it was just shown on AMC (American Movie Classics) on Friday morning around 4:40AM. It is scheduled to repeat on June 24th, I believe, early in the morning hours, around the same time (which is about the only time AMc shows the old Science Fiction films like this from the 1950's.) Although they sometimes show them on Friday nights too. AMC has gone through a lot of changes in the last four years or so.
I hope this helps! smile Esencia
06-10-02, 07:18 AM clarebear I want to thank you esencia for all your work in trying to find it but The Thing That Couldn't Die isn't the movie. In that movie the head finds its buried body and then dies. The movie I'm looking for the guy returns the head and someone else picks it up. Maybe I'll never find it. frown
06-10-02, 08:05 AM Texan-In-Exile Are you sure it's a movie and not an old "Twilight Zone" or some such? This would give a new area to search. confused
06-10-02, 08:20 AM clarebear I'm certain it was a movie.
06-10-02, 11:08 AM esencia I'm sorry though...I realized too upon reading what the plot was alla bout at IMDB, it wasn't it either. Could it possibly be The Twilight Zone as Texan-In-Exile suggested or maybe The Outer Limits? I dunno...It really sounds like a Twilight Zone. Too me anyway. Well, maybe that guy from bad movie planet will write back & let you know soon. I'm sure everyone is dying to know! (I am!) Good Luck! smile Esencia
06-10-02, 01:52 PM WolvesRule I searched through 2,000+ films/tv series on IMDB with the keyword "head" in the plot, and also came up empty. eek
There was a "Twilight Zone" episode with a similar plot.
It was called "The Dummy" and aired May 4th, 1962 (during the show's third season). It starred Cliff Robertson as a ventriloquist who becomes convinced that his dummy has developed a will of its own.
This probably isn't it, but I thought I'd mention it. I'll keep looking. smile
06-11-02, 07:37 AM clarebear I just got a message from greywizard. He said Sorry don't know that one. frown Others on here have heard of this and their families too so I'm not crazy. Well maybe just a little. roll eyes
P.S. I just sent an email to creepy classics. I'll keep everyone posted. smile
[This message was edited by clarebear on 06-11-02 at 07:49 AM.]
06-11-02, 09:41 AM Kerri Does anyone know the name of this old tv movie? (50's) Sounds like something I saw on The Twilight Zone
06-11-02, 10:21 AM JerseyTomater Have you tried contacting the SCFI channel's show, Mystery Science Theater ? Perhaps they might have some insight.
06-11-02, 06:21 PM clarebear I just sent them an email Thanks Jersey Tomater. I am getting so frustrated.I have sent about 4 emails out to ask. When I first posted the question I was kind of indifferent about the question. It would have just been nice to get it for my mom. Now its driving me crazy!!!! eek I'm about ready to give up.
06-12-02, 07:03 AM clarebear I asked my mom for some more details....
It aired on tv in 1951. A man was at the park and saw 2 suitcases. ( I think one had money in it or something)The one he picked up he brought home. Inside the suitcase was a head. He put the head on the fireplace mantel. It gave him orders like "bring me a glass of water". This went on for some time. When the head fell asleep the man grabbed the head and shoved the head back into the suitcase.He took the suitcase back to the park. Some other guy saw the suitcase.. picked it up thinking it was money.. and the movie ended.
06-14-02, 02:26 PM Georgia85 Obviously you have stumped us all! I have yet one more suggestion for a movie although it does not meet all of your criteria. "The Thing That Couldn't Die". Although the head is found by a girl the rest of the plot fits your description. A girl, while divining, comes across a chest which she thinks might be full of treasures. When she opens she finds the head of a 16th Century devil worshipper. The head, duly lopped off in the 16th century by Sir Francis Drake, now begins to take on a life of its own, as its "evil" eyes cause normally stupid people to become abnormally stupid killers. (he even manages to get his hypnotized dupes to carry him around by the hair).
So OK, maybe it's not the same one...but at least I'm trying! eek
06-14-02, 03:11 PM bedstor Your Mom said an "airing" date of 1951. Ok. So gang! If it was made for TV only The year we want is 1950.If it was made for Cinema then allow 3 years from release, So could be as old as 1947/8, Any British (UK)members,do you know the email addresses of Jonathan or Paul Ross? who are both big 50s horror film fans and alert them to this ladys Dilemma. Note to non UK members these two brothers both have Film review columns in the British newspapers and on TV. We are getting Warmer!... wink,
06-14-02, 05:59 PM clarebear Thanks everyone for not giving up. And thank you for you enthusism bedstor. You must be an old time Rocky Horror Fan. I have emailed several people on this but noone seems to know. I've told everything I know about the movie. Thank you.
I just became a member of a 50's horror movie yahoo group. ( I'm getting desperate can you tell) Maybe I'll get the answer there.
[This message was edited by clarebear on 06-14-02 at 06:15 PM.]
06-17-02, 07:04 AM clarebear My mom says it could be a Hallmark Hall of Fame movie! I think this could be the place. I'm trying to find it. 1951. All I keep getting is the new ones.
06-25-02, 10:00 AM Georgia85
quote:Originally posted by clarebear: My mom says it could be a Hallmark Hall of Fame movie! I think this could be the place.
Thing about this is according to my research Hallmark Hall of Fame originated in 1952 which is after when your mother says the movied aired. I'm still looking for you tho!
Lights Out (NBC; 1949-1952) This live dramatic anthology featured, after 1950, weekly guest stars and suspensful-scary dramatic plays. It featured such guest stars as Boris Karloff (Universal scary '30s films), Billie Burke (The Wizard of Oz), Leslie Neilsen (The Naked Gun), Eddie Albert (Green Acres) and Yvonne DeCarlo (The Munsters). It was cancelled in 1952, after running one season versus Lucy.
[This message was edited by clarebear on 06-25-02 at 06:10 PM.]
06-26-02, 02:15 PM Georgia85 If you want to get factual about it Hallmark Hall of Fame actually premiered Christmas eve 1951....according to your own link Clarebear! LOL
06-26-02, 09:39 PM clarebear Ok... so I'm a dork!!!! frown
I thought it could have been Lights Out. I'm still looking.
10-18-02, 07:40 AM clarebear Come on someone out there has to know it. Doriangreyed.. dogspit.. where are you?????
confused
[This message was edited by clarebear on 10-18-02 at 07:52 AM.]
10-18-02, 03:06 PM deeptread ummm, do I get any points for saying the "alleged" spoof on the show you are looking for was Warner Bros. One Froggy Night, and starred Michigan J. Frog????? (1955)
10-18-02, 04:03 PM clarebear Every little bit helps! wink
04-10-03, 08:13 AM clarebear I see lots of new people here... anyone wanna give it a try? Confused
04-20-03, 09:52 PM mattlynda i found a site that might be able to help. i have emailed the guy who runs it and hopefully he will email me with an answer. if not im pulling out my videohound movie guide and reading every single entry until i find it. Smile
06-05-03, 03:20 PM Georgia85 OK Clare - are you ready???? drum roll....
Got your attention didn't I? LOL I think it was an Alfred Hitchcock Presentsmovie.... of course it could have been an episode from Tales of Tomorrow... There were also Suspense and that series aired a show called "The Foggy Night Visitor" which made me think about the WB spoof...
One more thing to look into - you mentioned Hallmark Hall of Fame...could you possible have meant Kraft Television Theatre? They started running shows in 1947...
Alright I'm spent!
06-05-03, 07:38 PM clarebear I don't know how to find out. Frown
06-06-03, 08:00 AM Georgia85 Well Clare...maybe by me mentioning the above shows it will jog someone else's memory and get the ball rolling! See...I'm still trying to help ya!
06-06-03, 12:35 PM clarebear Does anyone know the name of this old tv movie? (50's) Georgia,
I'm giving you an A for effort. Big Grin
I'm still looking too.
11-23-03, 12:13 PM Pace~Ace I asked a lady thats a Professor of Communication, at Central Missouri State University that is good at answering Scifi questions. She answers questions like this all the time.
This is what she told me...
Dear Pace: I've been searching all over to find a movie with this plot, but so far have had no luck. In discussing the spoof, are you referring to the Warner Brothers/Looney Tunes Oscar winning 7 minute cartoon by animator Chuck Jones, "One Froggy Evening"? The frog sings (not talks) but otherwise it matches your description (the cartoon was released in 1955; later the frog was named Michigan J. Frog and became the mascot for the WB).
If that is the case, the movie you are looking for is earlier than 1955. Do you have any other details about this film--I assume it is in English, and probably a U.S. release--is that right? Is it also a cartoon? It seems to have a pretty thin plot for a full length film. If not a cartoon, could it be a comedy short? It doesn't strike me as being a true horror or science-fiction film with this plot. Or maybe there are other aspects to the plot that you can remember? Perhaps when it might have been made, if it is in black or white, or if there were other characters?
I'll keep trying, but without more information, I'm not sure I can locate the title. Sorry.
I'll get back to you if she finds the name of it.
-Pace-
11-23-03, 12:28 PM Tree I've sent out some smoke signals to people. Hopefully someone will get back to me.
WOW this is a toughie! Wink
11-23-03, 03:28 PM Pace~Ace Update: The Professor just e-mailed me this..
Dear Pace: Thanks for the additional information, esp. that it was shown on early 1950s TV. I first thought that it sounded like a "Twilight Zone" episode, but that show didn't begin until 1959! So that means it probably was shown on one of the dramatic anthology series that existed iin 1951 (there were many).
I've spent the last couple of hours trolling through various internet resources on early TV. So far I've not found any specific title that matches this plot, but that doesn't mean a lot, since many of the titles I've looked at don't have plot descriptions attached. I do have some possiblities that I intend to track down further (I may have to go to one of the books I have, as opposed to websites).
This may take a few days, and I'm still not sure I can find the exact title, but I will try. I'm responding now just to let you know where I am in the search. Whether or not I find an answer in a couple of days, I'll still write back. --------------------------------------------
I will post what she has to say. Maybe we will get lucky and get an answer to this hard question.
11-30-03, 08:15 PM Pace~Ace She got back with me again and here is what she said...
Dear Pace: I'm sorry it took awhile to get back to you, but I got ill over the holidays. I've been trying to find out more information, but I am not coming up with a specific title for this story.
However, I do have some possible programs that may have shown such a story in 1951. First are some of the anthology programs. In addition to the best known (e.g. Philco/Goodyear, Studio One, Robert Montgomery Presents, Kraft Theatre, and others, which usually ran "quality" plays), there were several others, both 1/2 hour and 1 hour in length. Most of them were live (a few filmed), which means they would be very difficult to locate today.
In my research I ran across the following shows, which I thought might be promising (and even though I've not been able to track the title--yet--doesn't mean you can't try as well):
On ABC, "Tales of Tomorrow," airing from 8/51 on; 1/2 hour stories of the strange and supernatural; and "Hollywood Theatre" (1/2 hour anthology of various stories, originating in Hollywood, not NY, so poss. filmed). On CBS, "Lux Video Theatre" (1/2 hour shows); "Suspense" (1/2 hour mystery & horror shows); "Danger" (1/2 hour psychological dramas); The Web (1/2 hour mystery dramas); and "Hollywood Opening Night" (1/2 hour anthology starting 6/51, and filmed). On Dupont, "Hands of Destiny" (aka "Hands of Mystery")--1/2 hour suspense anthology; and "Bigelow Theatre" (various stories) On NBC, "Lights Out" (1/2 hour suspense anthology); "Fireside Theatre" (1/2 hour anthology with varied stories); and "Cavalier Theatre" (1/2 hour late night anthology, which ran only in 1951).
There also were several programs that ran movies, most of these before 1961 were B grade films (or worse), old silent movies, old serials, English imports, etc. The programs were: On ABC--"Admission Free" (from 8/51 to 12/51 only); Curtains Up"; "Mystery Theatre"; and "Film Theatre of the Air" which ran movies from 4/51 to 10/51. On CBS-"Schlitz Film Firsts" (movies from 7/51 to 9/51) On Dupont--"International Playhouse" (ran international films from April-May 1951 On NBC--"Hollywood Movie Time" (from Jan. to May 1951); "Hollywood Mystery Time" (mystery movies from Feb. to July 1951); King's Crossroads (movies starting fall, 1951), and Screen Shorts (short filims from 5/51 to 7/51).
I'll keep trying, but I'm not sure what I can locate without more information. ------------------------------------------ Does any of this info help you clarebear? If she gets back with me again I'll post it here.
12-01-03, 08:21 AM Georgia85 Pace - she is trying, isn't she Smile I actually told Clare about 3 of those mentioned shows back in June (page 2 of this thread). But maybe the additional info you provided will spark a memory!
12-05-03, 04:17 AM clarebear Thanks for the info Pace. Yes, Georgia did provide me with some links but they weren't the right ones. (and that was appreciated Georgia Smile)
I will make a copy of this page and check it out. Thanks!
This message has been edited. Last edited by: DorianGreyed,
Posts: 5300 | Location: The Motor City | Registered: 06-03-02
While walking a man finds a briefcase. He thinks he struck it rich so he brings the suitcase home. When he opens it there is just a man's head inside that tells him orders. ex: "Bring me a glass of water". He sneaks the suitcase back to the park and some other man finds it and the movie ends. Warner brothers made a spoof of this with the man that finds the talking frog in a construction site. Does anyone know this movie?
It aired on tv in 1951. A man was at the park and saw 2 suitcases. ( I think one had money in it or something)The one he picked up he brought home. Inside the suitcase was a head. He put the head on the fireplace mantel. It gave him orders like "bring me a glass of water". This went on for some time. When the head fell asleep the man grabbed the head and shoved the head back into the suitcase.He took the suitcase back to the park. Some other guy saw the suitcase.. picked it up thinking it was money.. and the movie ended.
A few people remember seeing this.
We have a lot of new members since I last posted. Does anyone know the name of this movie?
P.S. Thanks Georgia.
Posts: 5300 | Location: The Motor City | Registered: 06-03-02
Clare, I decided to take a different approach to this and not concentrate on it being a movie but rather a tv episode. I pulled the 1951 network television schedule and looked at all shows that were airing. I tried to figure out what shows could have possibly shown something like that....btw, apparently "playhouse" and "theatre" shows were big back then. Anyway, after looking at everything I came up with possible shows: The Plain-Clothesman (perhaps but maybe not) Lights Out (I'm convinced it was an episode from this show) Danger Texaco Star Theatre Hands of Mystery The Clock The Web Gruen Guild Theater (perhaps) Kraft Television Theater Crawford Mystery Theater Mystery Theater
Now the trick is to find full episode guides from those shows. I have found a list of all the episodes for "Lights Out" at epguides.com but without the synopsis I can't figure out which episode that might have been (if any).
Posts: 9192 | Location: Atlanta, GA, USA | Registered: 06-03-02
I think you may be right Georgia.I can't believe that if it was a movie or TV movie that no-one can find any reference to it or it's plot.I have used keywords in every possible permutation and had no luck at all. I spent some time last night looking at all the possibilities in the end I did an advanced search on IMDB for anything with Head in the title between the years 1948-1953 and came up with an episode of Lights Out called The Deaths Head from 1949,The Lights Out series seems to be the sort of programme that this plotline would fit into,can't find any info about the episodes though. Also i'm not sure there were many actual TV movies around at that time,as you said,the playhouse type programme was the popular thing.Also I know clare has only given us a skeleton plot,but the storyline doesn't seem able to fit a full movie. With all respect to your mom Clare,it was a long time to remember a movie.When I answered a question for someone the other day about a movie they had seen in the 70's they were suprised to realise how differently they had remembered the plot,and that was only 30 years ago ! Viv
Wow, you guys don't let go, do you! You should be in police work!
I was thinking what one poster has already said: the story line would not 'make' a movie, but would be fine for a half-hour play. Since Clare's mom was a little kid at the time, it would have been easy for her to think of it as a movie.
My introduction to the horror genre came at age 10. I was alone in the house and I loved having the radio (no TV in those days) all to myself.
The plot was that there was a killer panther at large, hunting at night. This little girl was sent out by her mother on a quick errand to the corner store for some needful item. The listener accompanies her on her journey. We hear the first stealthy sounds of pursuit. We share the little girl's thoughts as she tries to make no noise, lurking in the shadows, then panics and runs screaming for her mother to unlock the door. Her mother tells her there is nothing there, it's her imagination, that she must return to the store. Then the narrator tells us that when the mother finally opened the door, all that remained were some smears of something like 'wet red clay'.
I don't think I closed my eyes for weeks. Weeks!
Posts: 6253 | Location: British Columbia, Canada | Registered: 06-11-02
That story was used in a movie (1940s or early 50s). The details of the plot that I remember are a Hispanic singer (who always had castets in her hand) and a leopard. I remember the little girl screaming to be let in, then growls, and blood coming under the door into the house. I'll try to fing the movie. (For some reason, I am seeing John Lupton as the male lead, even though this was not his type of movie.)
Posts: 16956 | Location: Lincoln Place, Granite City, IL, USA | Registered: 06-03-02
Wow, that's right! The setting was Mexico or some other Hispanic American country! I identified so much with the little girl that I forget she and her mother both had accents.
Posts: 6253 | Location: British Columbia, Canada | Registered: 06-11-02
At the encouragement of her manager, a nightclub performer in New Mexico (Kiki Walker) takes a leashed leopard into the club as a publicity gimmick. But her rival, angered by the attempt to upstage, scares the animal and it bolts. In the days that follow, people are mauled and the countryside is combed for the loose creature. But Kiki and her manager begin to wonder if maybe the leopard is not responsible for the killings
From the movie - Teresa Delgado: Mamacita, let me in! Let me in! Let me in! If you love me, let me in! ********* It was Dennis O'Keefe, not John Lupton. And what she always had in her hands were castanets, not whatever it is that I said first. ****************** By the way, this is a much better movie than it sounds like from the basic plot description. Film buffs will recognize it as a Val Lewton production and also the direction of Jacques Tourneur. TYhe film is based on the novel "Black Alibi" by Cornell Woolrich.
Posts: 16956 | Location: Lincoln Place, Granite City, IL, USA | Registered: 06-03-02
So the movie was based on the novel, later the radio broadcast based on the novel or the movie. Of course the radio broadcast was much simplified to fit the half-hour format: no castanets, no night club, just a prowling black leopard and a terrified local community. The people in the area warn everyone that people are being killed, so be careful, stay indoors at night when leopards prowl.
I heard the short story on the radio in 1945 (or 1946). So since the movie was made in 1943, I'm going to go Google the novel to see when it was written. Thanks for the audit trail, DG.
Posts: 6253 | Location: British Columbia, Canada | Registered: 06-11-02
Clare - I think I've seen it and I think it was a Kraft Theater production and it had Jack Lemmon in it as the main character that has the head that talks to him. I can't find any information about it but I think it's called "The Fortune Hunter"
I remember the Jack Lemmon character getting rather distressed about the head talking to him... or maybe I'm just hallucinating to bring this thread to a close.
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