1961's "The Brainiac" (El Baron del Terror), finds Mexico's "El Vampiro" producer Abel Salazar taking the lead with smaller roles for previous costars German Robles and Ariadne Welter, screenwriter Federico Curiel doubling as a comic sidekick on screen for director Chano Urueta. Salazar's Baron Vitelius D'Estera is the titular 'Baron of Terror,' executed for sorcery and necromancy by the high tribunal in 1661 Mexico, hitching a ride on a comet set to return in 300 years, a rather awkward landing which sees his modern appearance a sight to behold: a head doubled in size, sporting a pointed beak with a forked tongue used for extracting the brains of his victims for sustenance! Being that all his intended targets are members of high society, he assumes the role of genial host by inviting one and all to a social gathering before avenging himself upon them one by one. Were it not for the bizarre nature of its central monster the film would likely have been long forgotten due to its routine handling of dreary dialogue scenes where characters typically repeat themselves for the edification of those who arrived late for the screening. The nature of the Baron's crimes are necessarily glossed over (similar to Vincent Price's Joseph Curwen in Roger Corman's "The Haunted Palace"), his modern incarnation living it up while excusing himself to partake of a secret stash of hidden brains for medicinal purposes only. The repetitive nature of the predictable narrative forces director Chanu Urueta to vary the attack scenes, from the doomed motorist who discovers the comet to Ariadne Welter's sexy barmaid seemingly entranced by the enigmatic stranger until she's put off by his silent nature (a second 'loose woman' immediately proceeds to suck face before having her cranium sucked out). Salazar's periodic transformations are prefaced by illuminating lights, clearly relishing the mesmeric seduction of every comely female victim, one a wife, another a daughter, obviously no limitations for a creature who moonlights as a babe magnet! The perfunctory police investigation is often buttressed by hilarious lines from the Chief ("a maniac with a lot of knowledge is a threat") and his sidekick, complaining about the gruesome nature of the killings during dessert ("I was really enjoying this sweet roll!"). Imagine the creature landing in Washington D. C. in an attempt to survive, only to starve to death for lack of brains!
Review of The Brainiac
