{"id":2563,"date":"2022-06-15T11:06:59","date_gmt":"2022-06-15T11:06:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.dreame.com\/resources\/?p=2563"},"modified":"2022-07-06T11:23:29","modified_gmt":"2022-07-06T11:23:29","slug":"sci-fi-movie-review-the-creation-of-the-humanoids","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.dreame.com\/resources\/sci-fi-movie-review-the-creation-of-the-humanoids.html","title":{"rendered":"Sci-fi Movie Review: The Creation of the Humanoids"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Creation of the Humanoids (sometimes incorrectly named \u201cCreation of Humanoids\u201d) is a 1962 American science-fiction movie revolving around a dwindling post-apocalyptic society of human beings trying to reverse their population crisis with the assistance of silver-eyed, blue-skinned androids called \u201chumanoids\u201d. It is starring Don Megowan, Erica Eliot, and Don Doolittle, and is directed by Wesley Barry. The movie revolves around several people and humanoids involved in this attempt.<\/p>\n

The main plot of The Creation of the Humanoids<\/h2>\n
\"creation-of-the-humanoids-plot\"<\/figure>\n

Following an apocalyptic nuclear war, humanity has been reduced to scant pockets of survivors. Heavily irradiated, the survivors are able to procreate in less than 2% of couplings, leading to a catastrophic birthing crisis that will see the human race go extinct.<\/p>\n

It is here where the titular creation of humanoids comes into play; due to the low number of surviving humans, blue-skinned androids called \u201chumanoids\u201d are created in order to assist the humans. Pejoratively called \u201cclickers\u201d, the humanoids are the target of a human hate group called \u201cThe Order of Flesh and Blood\u201d.<\/p>\n

After a humanoid is discovered that exactly resembles a human being and has murdered a human \u2013 a scientist named Dr. Raven \u2013 the Order resolves to have all humanoids disassembled or downgraded.<\/p>\n

In the meantime, two humans \u2013 Kenneth Cragis, a strident anti-humanoid Order member, and Maxine Megan, a middle manager at a company called \u201cTelex\u201d \u2013 strike up an unlikely whirlwind romance after meeting at Cragis\u2019 sister\u2019s apartment. Their burgeoning romance is interrupted by the arrival of two humanoids, who escort them to their temple.<\/p>\n

It is here that Cragis and Megan are told the shocking truth \u2013 the two of them died months earlier and were transferred into robot bodies, with the former having inadvertently killed the latter in a bomb attack. After the initial shock of this, the two of them resolve themselves to their new task. With a few minor operations, the two of them will be the first humanoids to be 100% functionally human \u2013 and it will be their task to lead the re-population of this brave new world\u2026<\/p>\n

Production and release of The Creation of the Humanoids<\/h2>\n
\"creation-of-the-humanoids-production\"<\/figure>\n

Though generally credited as a 1962 release, the production date at the end of the movie (MCMLX) indicates that the film wrapped before the end of 1960. The humanoid movie was produced and directed by former child star and LA local, Wesley Barry.<\/p>\n

The Creation of The Humanoids is a very low-budget film, and this is evident in its minimalistic sets, rudimentary costumes, and simple matte-painting backgrounds. Despite this, it was filmed in color \u2013 an expensive prospect at a time when black-and-white pictures were still de rigeur.<\/p>\n

Despite its low budget, the movie \u2018The Creation of the Humanoids\u2019 managed to land a couple of Hollywood old hands. The first of these was legendary makeup artist Jack Pierce, the man behind Conrad Veidt\u2019s gruesome grin in The Man Who Laughs [1928] and, most famously, Frankenstein\u2019s Monster in Frankenstein [1931]. It was Pierce who created the striking silver-eyed effect on the humanoids with thick plastic scleral lenses, which were so uncomfortable that they had to be frequently removed. Pierce also applied his skills towards creating the bald effect on the humanoids by applying bald caps and hiding the actors\u2019 eyebrows with putty.<\/p>\n

The second big name Barry managed to land was a two-time Academy Award winner, cinematographer Hal Mohr. Mohr lent some panache and flair to the static, unimaginatively blocked scenes that constituted almost the entirety of the movie\u2019s runtime.<\/p>\n

The film opened on July 3rd, 1962. TV spots and posters were used to market the film; unusually for the time, the movie posters used only two-color printings rather than the more popular, eye-catching four-color prints.<\/p>\n

The movie ran in low-rent drive-ins, suburban theaters, and urban cinemas specializing in exploitation movies. \u00a0After its theatrical run had concluded, it was released to television in late 1964. It would be 21 years before the movie was available on VHS, and another 21 before a DVD release. The movie was featured on the MeTV show \u201cSvengoolie\u201d in July of 2021. The movie has an 86-minute runtime.<\/p>\n

The Cast of The Creation of Humanoids<\/h2>\n
\"creation-of-the-humanoids-cast\"<\/figure>\n
    \n
  • Don Megowan as Captain Kenneth Cragis, a virulent anti-humanoid activist and \u2018gerontologist\u2019 attempting to extend the lifespan of human beings, Cragis is the movie\u2019s de facto protagonist;<\/li>\n
  • Erica Eliot as Maxine Megan, a middle manager whose uneventful life is changed by a chance meeting with Cragis;<\/li>\n
  • Don Doolittle as Doctor Raven, a scientist whose research may be the key to humankind\u2019s survival;<\/li>\n
  • Frances McGann as Esme Cragis Milos, Cragis\u2019 sister, and a passionate pro-humanoid supporter;<\/li>\n
  • Dudley Manlove as Lagan, a humanoid;<\/li>\n
  • George Milan as Acto, a humanoid;<\/li>\n
  • Malcolm Smith as Court;<\/li>\n
  • Richard Vath as Mark;<\/li>\n
  • Reid Hammond as Hart.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    Trailers of The Creation of the Humanoids<\/h2>\n