Cult of the Cobra

Not since the Paul Dupree trilogy of 1943-44 that was really only good for one entry had Universal invested in a female menace that likewise would transform from woman into beast, so in that way 1955's "Cult of the Cobra" (working title "Cult of the Serpent") was a look back on reliable horror tropes actually set in the closing days of the Second World War. A close knit group of six GIs stationed in Asia (Burma according to the script, unspecified in the film) meet a member of the Lamian cult of snake worshippers, eager to see one of their ceremonies for evidence of man into snake. A striking dance sequence turns out better than expected, a clearly female form writhing out of a large basket to creep up the leg of a potential male victim, spinning in circles until the fatal bite that claims his life. Unfortunately, the drunken Nick (James Dobson) goes against strict orders of no photographs, one snapshot and all hell breaking loose, their trusting guide murdered and the high priest proclaiming a death curse upon them to avenge the cobra god. Nick was several steps ahead of the others, found with a bite mark on his neck (the stolen basket now empty), the venom drawn out in time for him to be well on his way to full recovery before morning. During the night we get a snake's eye view of its attack on luckless Nick (the same bubble technique used for the Xenomorphs in "It Came from Outer Space"), his comrades dumbfounded to learn of his death before they leave for home in New York City. Marshall Thompson's nominal hero is Tom, jilted by lover Julia (Kathleen Hughes) for roommate Paul (Richard Long), quickly finding a replacement in Lisa Moya (Faith Domergue), dark haired neighbor across the hall, newly arrived in town without a clue about city life. One by one the male cast members bite the dust until only Tom and Paul are left, Tom a firm disbeliever in Lisa being the snake goddess come to dispatch them, the finale set in a Broadway theatre where the truth is finally revealed to his horrified chagrin. Throughout its small screen reign this film proved a comfort to veteran TV series watchers, viewing several top stars in early roles: Richard Long from THE BIG VALLEY and NANNY AND THE PROFESSOR, Marshall Thompson from DAKTARI, Jack Kelly from MAVERICK, and particularly David Janssen from THE FUGITIVE and HARRY-O. Faith Domergue had that mysterious exotic look that often made her difficult to cast, able to bring everything to the table required here yet ultimately defeated by the lack of substance. This was by far her highlight year, also appearing in "This Island Earth," "It Came from Beneath the Sea," and "The Atomic Man." Hammer's 1971 "Vampire Circus" would also capture the sexual connotations of humans transforming into beasts, more subdued in black and white but still quite effective ("Abbott and Costello Meet the Mummy" would try a similar looking nightclub sequence, 1972's "Night of the Cobra Woman" a quasi remake from the Philippines). The trailer puts forth a more daring explanation for its alluring lead in their definition of Lamia: "the head and breast of a woman, the body of a serpent."

I came across this movie by accident as part of a collection. Not reading any reviews ahead of time I was surprised to see so many well-known actors; then I realized this is 1955 and a lot of them were just starting.

American G. I.s who trespass on a cult called Lamia.

Lamia - a mythical monster, with the body of a woman or with the head and breasts of a woman and the body of a snake, said to prey on human beings and suck the blood of children.

You know what happens next as they get cursed, and someone must pay.

Great formula and suspense; we get to see the shadow of metamorphosis and sometimes even root for the misunderstood dispatcher.

Trailer - "From halfway around the world she had come to make friends with five unsuspecting young men. And when she walked in the night, death followed swift and violent."

I really like this movie, but most reviews that I see seem to trash it. It has an excellent cast of B movie stars, who are probably trying at this time to get recognition. They are Faith Domergue, Richard Long, David Janssen, Jack Kelly and Marshall Thompson. Here is a quick synopsis of the movie:

Stationed in Asia, six American G.I.'s witness the secret ritual of Lamians (worshipers of women who change into serpents). When discovered by the cult, the High Lamain Priest vows that the Cobra Goodess will avenge herself. Once back in the U.S., a mysterious woman enters into their lives and accidents begin to happen. The shadow of a cobra is seen before each death.

On paper, this was arguably the least promising entry among Universal's second exclusive "Sci-Fi Collection" – but it turned out to be quite enjoyable in its unassumingly campy way, lying somewhere between the exotic fancy of Universal's earlier COBRA WOMAN (1944) and the cautionary Gothic of Hammer's THE REPTILE (1966). Director Lyon generally cut his teeth on a variety of Western oaters and, while not exactly inspired by the material at hand, elicits a very good performance from his leading lady Faith Domergue – a former protégée' of the legendary Howard Hughes. The story starts at the tail-end of WWII where six G.I. buddies, looking for some kicks before leaving Asia for home, attend a clandestine ceremony held by the titular sect where no reptiles are actually worshipped – instead we have a woman painted like one who comes out of a large vase and crawls around on the floor! Suspicious Richard Long, embittered (and incredulous) Marshall Thompson and a carefree David Janssen comprise half of the band of infidels who incite the wrath of the cultists by their irreverent presence (foolishly, one of them photo-graphs the ceremony, even if he had been repeatedly warned beforehand not to); needless to say, the proverbial curse is invoked on them by the High Priest which is subsequently enforced when they return to the United States. In quick succession, four of them get offed (including bowling alley owner Janssen who expires in a fairly spectacular car crash) after having a close encounter with a cobra; their demise coincides with Thompson's meeting with his sensuous but enigmatic neighbor Domergue. There are virtually no transformation scenes (or, rather, only in silhouette and via a quick dissolve to boot!) and we only get a good look at the large cobra during its last attack backstage in a theater, where it eventually receives its come-uppance by being pushed out a high window by Thompson (for whom the conflicted Domergue actually almost jeopardized her mission!)...and which is just as well, since there is no creature on earth that I loathe or fear more! Incidentally, I was somewhat bugged by the fact that when the dead snake inevitably regains human form, it is unaccountably dressed in the black gown Domergue wore prior to her demise!

In Asia, six airmen from the American Air Forces break in a secret cult of Lamians that worship a cobra goddess. However they are found in the temple and need to flee from the ceremony. They are cursed by the priest that sentences them to die, one by one. Back in New York, Sergeant Paul Able (Richard Long), who will marry the actress Julia Thompson (Kathleen Hughes), and G.I. Tom Markel (Marshall Thompson), who also loves Julia, are best friends and roommates. When Tom stumbles upon the mysterious Lisa Moya (Faith Domergue), they immediately fall in love with each other. Meanwhile their friends are dying and soon the coroner discovers snake venom in their blood.

"Cult of the Cobra" is an entertaining horror film with the storyline of a group of arrogant American G.I.s that breaks in a cult without any respect and are cursed by the priest to die. The gorgeous and exotic Faith Domergue is a goddess with the ability of turning into a cobra that travels to New York to revenge the worshippers. The negative point of the story is that she falls in love with one of the trespassers. My vote is seven.

Title (Brazil): "Maldição da Serpente" ("Curse of the Snake")