The Gamma People (1956)

An American journalist (Paul Douglas) and his British photographer companion (Leslie Phillips) smell the story of a lifetime when they are stranded in an iron curtain country where the local dictator (Walter Rilla) is using gamma rays to transform children into mutated henchmen. Directed by John Gilling (PLAGUE OF THE ZOMBIES). A mediocre science fiction film based on an idea by Robert Aldrich (THE BIG KNIFE) of all people. Thematically, the idea of a movie about mutant children would be done better four years later with VILLAGE OF THE DAMNED (1960). The film attempts to defuse its far fetched plot with occasional doses of humor, notably in Phillips' photographer but he's more annoying than amusing. No surprises here! With Eva Bartok, Jocelyn Lane, Rosalie Crutchley and Michael Caridia.