Perfect cast and a good story

A Masterpiece!

True to its essence, the characters remain on the same line and manage to entertain the viewer, each highlighting their own distinctive qualities or touches.

It is encouraging that the film ends so strongly.Otherwise, it wouldn't have been a particularly memorable film

Dr. Gilbert McKenna (Robert Clarke) is a research scientist who is accidentally exposed to a new type of radiation. At first, he seems to be doing remarkably well. However, once in direct sunlight, Gil's body begins to change. He goes through a devolution process and turns into some sort of out-of-control, lizard-type creature. "Hideous" is the right word to describe Gil's transformation. The special effect suit is about as good as I've seen in a 1950s era sci-fi/horror film. I'd rate it right up there with the suit from Creature from the Black Lagoon. It's really nicely done. The acting is hit or miss. Clarke does a good job playing the tortured victim. I also enjoyed Nan Peterson as Trudy Osborne - not because she's a particularly great actress, but she channel's Marilyn Monroe quit well. Some of the performances, however, are laughable. I'm thinking of the dude who played the gangster - I think it was Peter Similuk. Just awful. The problem with The Hideous Sun Demon and the thing that keeps me from rating it higher is there's really not much plot here. The movie is full of padding. The runtime is only 74 minutes, but I'd bet at least 20 of those minutes felt like filler. For example, I think there are more scenes of people driving around California than there are scenes devoted to the titular Sun Demon.

Though a lot of people might say otherwise, Robert Clarke's cult sci-fi horror/monster movie is actually quite good. With some good performances from the lead characters, even though the explanation behind the monster is ridiculous the film itself is quite entertaining with what seems to be an imaginative spin on the werewolf legend. The monster itself is very good and convincing with some good cinematography giving it a sun baked feel to it. Although the film is not at all scary and hammy at times, its fast pacing, occasionally intense acting, and wonderfully designed monster costume make this one of the better low budget monster movies of the 50s.

The Hideous Sun Demon is an overlooked winner from the legendary canon of 50s science fiction/monster movies. The eponymous "sun demon" is actually quite impressive and hideous indeed, a reptilian nightmare on two legs and, in a neat twist, summoned forth by the rays of the sun. Robert Clarke does a yeoman's job as not only the lead character--a flawed but likable young scientist who finds himself cursed with a monstrous alter ego after being exposed to atomic radiation--but also as the director. Indeed, the entire cast is quite proficient, and everyone acquits themselves honorably in their respective roles, particularly the gorgeous Nan Peterson who plays an especially curvaceous barroom singer that catches the troubled protagonist's eye. The film is quite well-paced with a good mix of action and drama, and the characters are all realistically developed as believable individuals. The special effects are handled nicely, and the scenes of monster mayhem are surprisingly brutal and pack quite a nasty punch. The ultimate climax is perhaps inevitable, but nonetheless exciting and expertly staged. Often neglected in conversations of 50s genre classics, The Hideous Sun Demon is a fine example of monster movie excellence.

My score of 3 doesn't really mean that I hated this film. In fact, I enjoy watching cheesy 1950s and 60s horror films. However, no matter how much I enjoy them, I have to be realistic and admit that their technical merits are usually horrendous. With THE HIDEOUS SUN DEMON (a rather inappropriate title, by the way), the budget was next to nothing and it really shows. The script also is not particularly inspired or original, though the film is watchable.Actor Robert Clarke stars in this film he also wrote and co-directed. While his name is probably not one you've heard of before, he did a ton of TV appearances over the years--particularly in the 1960s in such shows as "Dragnet". He's a competent actor though given the budget, you really can't blame him for coming up with a silly film.This is another nuclear radiation film where a scientist is exposed to the stuff. But, instead of turning really big (THE AMAZING COLOSSAL MAN) or tiny (THE AMAZING SHRINKING MAN), here the guy cannot go into sunlight or he becomes a hideous looking monster--at least until he's left the sunlight and allows himself to become normal once again. To me I kept wondering why Clarke's character was so stupid that he'd "forget" and suddenly realize it's becoming daytime throughout the film. People with Porphyria learn to avoid sunlight, yet this dummy keeps making the mistake of being out too long. Unfortunately, when he is out in the sun, he seems to become a bit emotionally unstable, though he's nothing like a "sun demon". He's more like a guy who's a bit cranky and stupid, that's all! Overall, very watchable for fans of the genre but don't expect it to be among the best. Just a typical film you'd find on a typical exceptionally tiny budget.By the way, look at the box art that is shown on IMDb. I think the yellow artwork might just rank as the ugliest in film history.