The Gamma People

The Gamma People
The Gamma People
	Theatrical release poster
Directed by	John Gilling
Screenplay by	John Gilling; John Gossage
Story by	Robert Aldrich; Louis Pollock
Produced by	John Gossage
Starring	Paul Douglas; Eva Bartok; Leslie Phillips; Walter Rilla; Martin Miller; Philip Leaver
Cinematography	Ted Moore
Edited by	Jack Slade
Music by	George Melachrino
Production; company	Warwick Films
Distributed by	Columbia Pictures
Release date	30 January 1956 (United Kingdom: general release) December 1956 (United States);
Running time	76 or 78 minutes
Countries	United Kingdom; United States
Language	English
Budget	£85,060

The Gamma People is a 1956 British-American black-and-white science fiction film, produced by John Gossage, directed by John Gilling, that stars Paul Douglas, Eva Bartok, and Leslie Phillips.^[3] The film, shot in Imst, Austria, was distributed by Columbia Pictures and evolved from a script treatment originally written in the early 1950s by Robert Aldrich.^[4] The Gamma People was released theatrically in the U.S. as a double feature with the 1956 British science fiction film 1984.^[5]

Plot

A railroad passenger car carrying a reporter and his photographer mysteriously breaks away from its locomotive, accidentally ending up on a remote sidetrack in Gudavia, an isolated Ruritanian-style, one-village dictatorship. The newsmen discover a mad scientist using gamma rays to turn the country's youth into either geniuses or subhumans.

Cast

Paul Douglas as Mike Wilson^[6]
Eva Bartok as Paula Wendt^[7]
Leslie Phillips as Howard Meade
Walter Rilla as Boronski^[8]
Philip Leaver as Koerner
Martin Miller as Lochner
Michael Caridia as Hugo Wendt
Pauline Drewett as Hedda Lochner
Jocelyn Lane as Anna
Olaf Pooley as Bikstein
Rosalie Crutchley as Frau Bikstein
Leonard Sachs as Telegraph Clerk
Paul Hardtmuth as Hans
Cyril Chamberlain as Graf

Production

In June 1951, Irving Allen announced he would make The Gamma People in Austria with Brian Donlevy and Virginia Grey. It was based on a screenplay by Oliver Crawford and a story by Louis Pollock. Allen said the script was about German scientific experiments during the war which caused cells to mutate. He said he had finance from the United States and Austria.^[9] Allen did a location trip to Austria in July.^[10]

In December 1951 Allen announced he had formed Warwick Productions with Albert Broccoli, but that he still intended to make The Gamma People with Robert Aldrich.^[11] Dick Powell was slated to star.^[12]

The film would not be made for another three years. Paul Douglas was cast in the lead and Warwick wanted Trevor Howard to co-star.^[13]^[14] Filming took place in Austria in July 1955. Patricia Medina was meant to co-star, but then was called in for another commitment, on a Sam Katzman film. Eva Bartók took her place.^[15]

Writer Louis Pollock would be blacklisted for five years, having been confused for Los Angeles clothier, Louis Pollack, who refused to give testimony to the House Un-American Activities Committee.^[16]

References

^ F Maurice Speed, Film Review 1956–57, Macdonald & Co 1956
^ Chapman, J. (2022). The Money Behind the Screen: A History of British Film Finance, 1945-1985. Edinburgh University Press p 359
^ The Gamma People at the AFI Catalog of Feature Films.
^ p.14 Aldrich, Robert with Arnold, Edwin T. & Miller, Eugene L. Robert Aldrich: InterviewsUniv. Press of Mississippi, 2004
^ McGee, Mark Thomas; Robertson, R.J. (2013). "You Won't Believe Your Eyes". Bear Manor Media. ISBN 978-1-59393-273-2. Page 254
^ "Pat Medina Set In 'The Gamma People'". The Hartford Courant. October 9, 1955. p. A9. Archived from the original on January 31, 2013. Retrieved April 29, 2012.
^ "British woman, 36, claims she is Sinatra's daughter". Chicago Tribune. August 17, 1994. p. 2. Archived from the original on January 4, 2013. Retrieved April 29, 2012.
^ "Rilla Joins 'Gamma People'". The Hartford Courant. September 11, 1955. p. D12. Archived from the original on February 1, 2013. Retrieved April 29, 2012.
^ "METRO ACQUIRES TWO NEW STORIES: 'Millionth Man' and 'General Came Home' Bought — Greer Garson in 'Burning Secret' To Produce "Gamma People" Of Local Origin". The New York Times. 20 June 1951. p. 23.
^ A.H. Weiler (29 July 1951). "RANDOM OBSERVATIONS ON THE SCREEN SCENE: Mankiewicz Makes Movie in the Middle East — Of Helen Hokinson — Addenda". The New York Times. p. 75.
^ Schallert, Edwin (Aug 15, 1952). "Drama: Night Club Sparklers Invade West; Dieterle Adds to London Trend". Los Angeles Times. p. 11.
^ Hopper, Hedda (Aug 15, 1952). "Looking at Hollywood: Leslie Caron and Mel Ferrer Will Co-star in Dore Schary Movie". Chicago Daily Tribune. p. a6.
^ Thomas M. Pryors (Apr 9, 1955). "RITA HAYWORTH SUES FILM STUDIO: Actress Seeks Full Payment of Salary, Court Approval of End to Contract". New York Times. p. 8.
^ Hopper, Hedda (Apr 23, 1955). "'Vanishing American' Will Star Scott Brady". Chicago Daily Tribune. p. 17.
^ "HERBERT SORRELL LOSES WAGE SUIT: Former Coast Labor Leader Key Figure in 1945 Studio Strike, Sought $20,270". The New York Times. 23 July 1955. p. 10.
^ MURRAY SCHUMACH (Dec 18, 1959). "BLACKLIST TRAPS A SCREEN WRITER: Louis Pollock Is 'Convicted' Without His Knowledge in Mistaken Identity Case". The New York Times. p. 34.

External links

The Gamma People at the AFI Catalog of Feature Films
The Gamma People at IMDb
The Gamma People at the TCM Movie Database
The Gamma People film trailer on YouTube
Review of film at Variety

[1] F Maurice Speed, Film Review 1956–57, Macdonald & Co 1956

[money-2] Chapman, J. (2022). The Money Behind the Screen: A History of British Film Finance, 1945-1985. Edinburgh University Press p 359

[3] The Gamma People at the AFI Catalog of Feature Films.

[4] .14 Aldrich, Robert with Arnold, Edwin T. & Miller, Eugene L. Robert Aldrich: InterviewsUniv. Press of Mississippi, 2004

[5] McGee, Mark Thomas; Robertson, R.J. (2013). "You Won't Believe Your Eyes". Bear Manor Media. ISBN 978-1-59393-273-2. Page 254

[hc551009-6] "Pat Medina Set In 'The Gamma People'". The Hartford Courant. October 9, 1955. p. A9. Archived from the original on January 31, 2013. Retrieved April 29, 2012.

[ct940817-7] "British woman, 36, claims she is Sinatra's daughter". Chicago Tribune. August 17, 1994. p. 2. Archived from the original on January 4, 2013. Retrieved April 29, 2012.

[hc550911-8] "Rilla Joins 'Gamma People'". The Hartford Courant. September 11, 1955. p. D12. Archived from the original on February 1, 2013. Retrieved April 29, 2012.

[9] "METRO ACQUIRES TWO NEW STORIES: 'Millionth Man' and 'General Came Home' Bought — Greer Garson in 'Burning Secret' To Produce "Gamma People" Of Local Origin". The New York Times. 20 June 1951. p. 23.

[10] A.H. Weiler (29 July 1951). "RANDOM OBSERVATIONS ON THE SCREEN SCENE: Mankiewicz Makes Movie in the Middle East — Of Helen Hokinson — Addenda". The New York Times. p. 75.

[11] Schallert, Edwin (Aug 15, 1952). "Drama: Night Club Sparklers Invade West; Dieterle Adds to London Trend". Los Angeles Times. p. 11.

[12] Hopper, Hedda (Aug 15, 1952). "Looking at Hollywood: Leslie Caron and Mel Ferrer Will Co-star in Dore Schary Movie". Chicago Daily Tribune. p. a6.

[13] Thomas M. Pryors (Apr 9, 1955). "RITA HAYWORTH SUES FILM STUDIO: Actress Seeks Full Payment of Salary, Court Approval of End to Contract". New York Times. p. 8.

[14] Hopper, Hedda (Apr 23, 1955). "'Vanishing American' Will Star Scott Brady". Chicago Daily Tribune. p. 17.

[15] "HERBERT SORRELL LOSES WAGE SUIT: Former Coast Labor Leader Key Figure in 1945 Studio Strike, Sought $20,270". The New York Times. 23 July 1955. p. 10.

[16] MURRAY SCHUMACH (Dec 18, 1959). "BLACKLIST TRAPS A SCREEN WRITER: Louis Pollock Is 'Convicted' Without His Knowledge in Mistaken Identity Case". The New York Times. p. 34.

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