Seed
Bart is a clerk for a publishing company; he has written a novel. His wife Peggy and he have five children. Bart's former girlfriend Mildred is manager of the company's Paris office. She manages to get the novel published and talks Bart into marrying her after he divorces Peggy. Initially successful, Bart must turn to writing trash to keep Mildred in money. When he sees how well his four sons and daughter Margaret have grown without his help, he asks Peggy to let them all come live with him and Mildred. Peggy agrees, but the arrival of his beloved children puts Mildred's future in jeopardy. Written by Ed Stephan
Insights
Plot Summary
A scientist, Dr. Robert Carter, creates a serum that allows him to control the minds of others. Driven by a desire to repopulate the Earth after a global catastrophe, he attempts to force women to bear his children. His experiments take a dark turn as he encounters resistance and moral dilemmas, ultimately leading to a chilling confrontation with his own creation.
Critical Reception
Seed is a rare and fascinating early science fiction horror film that explores dark themes of creation, control, and repopulation. While its production values are typical of its era, its ambitious and unsettling premise, particularly its exploration of forced impregnation and eugenics, has garnered attention from genre historians. It is often cited as an example of pre-Code cinema's willingness to tackle controversial subjects.
What Reviewers Say
- A notable, albeit disturbing, early science fiction horror film.
- Explores dark and controversial themes for its time.
- Its ambition outweighs its sometimes crude execution.
Google audience: Information on specific Google user reviews for "Seed (1931)" is not readily available, but historical context suggests it was a provocative film that likely divided audiences.
Fun Fact
The film was based on the novel of the same name by Charles Gilman, which was controversial in its own right for its exploration of eugenics and the concept of a scientist creating a human being.
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