HAND OF DEATH (1962)
Article #665 by Dave Sindelar
Viewing Date: 1-9-2003
Posting Date: 6-8-2003

A scientist experimenting with a combination nerve gas/hypnotic agent becomes poisoned with it and develops a lethal touch.

This movie was out of circulation for years and only recently began making the rounds again. I’m glad it has, but that’s largely because I’m a bit of a completist about these things, not because it was particularly good. It’s a pretty pallid affair; it’s reminiscent somewhat of THE INVISIBLE RAY or THE 4D MAN, but it has more the feel of THE HIDEOUS SUN DEMON. The most interesting moment is when John Agar has a nightmare about scientific paraphernalia and white rats, and it has a certain amount of curiosity value in that one of the victims is Joe Besser (as a gas station attendant) and an almost-victim is Butch Patrick (Eddie Munster). John Agar also wears the monster outfit himself. Other than that, it’s standard and predictable low-budget fare.