The Brain Leeches
The Brain Leeches is a 1978 American low-budget science fiction exploitation film directed by Fred Olen Ray and starring Paul Jones, Marcia Scott, and Ray Starr. It has a running time of 55 minutes, and was completed on a budget of $298.00. The film was shown publicly only once, although it has since become available through distributors. The project proved to be a turning point in the careers of two of the principals.
Plot
A former nuclear scientist turned pro-wrestler does battle with invading aliens who are taking over the brains of people in a small town.Cast
- Paul Jones as Dr. John Hayes
- Marcia Scott as Susan
- Ray Starr as Rusty Fender
- Jennifer Knight as Rose
- Brad Linaweaver as Billy Johnson
- Fred Olen Ray as Tom
Production
Filming
Principal photography took place in 1978. The film was shot using an old Auricon 16mm camera, and nine-year-old black and white film stock obtained from an Orlando, Florida, television station where Ray worked. The alien invaders were represented by large rubber ants purchased at a dime store for 19 cents apiece. Earthlings under mind control by the aliens were portrayed as having all-white eyes. The special effect was achieved by applying white tape to the actors' eyelids. The destruction of the alien headquarters was depicted using stock footage of a nuclear explosion from an old 16mm documentary found in the television station's film archive.Score
The film score is a public domain recording of Mussorgsky's Pictures at an Exhibition, taken directly from a "cheap record album". According to Ray: "No effort was made to synchronize any of the music to the picture. We just put on a classical record and let it play." Portions of the film were shot at a bar, The Foxhead Tavern, in Orlando.Production of The Brain Leeches was completed, on budget, for $298.00.