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Virginia Leith, Star of 'The Brain That Wouldn't Die,' Dies at 94

posted 5 years ago by Satan2016 (25525)
4 replies | jump to latest

Jan in the Pan! I watched BTWD in the 70s, cheesy and forgettable.

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/virginia-leith-dead-star-brain-wouldnt-die-was-94-1254393

Virginia Leith, who starred in Fear and Desire, the first feature directed by Stanley Kubrick, before turning in her most famous role — that of a disembodied head in a pan in the schlock classic The Brain That Wouldn't Die — has died. She was 94.

Leith died Nov. 4 at her home in Palm Springs, family spokesperson Jane Chalmers announced.

In The Brain That Wouldn't Die — shot in 1959 but not released by American International Pictures until 1962 — Leith stars as Jan Compton, the fiancée of Bill Cortner (Jason Evers), a demented scientist experimenting with human transplants.

After he crashes her car and Jan is killed, he retrieves her severed head and connects it to life-replenishing equipment. Now he needs a body to put the two together — and it must be shapely — so he visits a strip club, a swimsuit contest and a model's studio on his murderous quest.

[–] greenbudgie (2355) 5 years ago

I haven't seen that one. Two good mysteries she appeared in was 'A Kiss Before Dying' (1956) and 'Black Widow' (1954).

[–] [email protected] (1732) 5 years ago

Hey, Satan, if the film is "so forgettable", why are you posting about it?

[–] Satan2016 (25525) 5 years ago

Only film I've seen her in. Watched a lot of bad movies on Sat afternoon TV as a kid.

[–] PaladinNJ (21510) 5 years ago

RIP