The Thing That Couldn't Die

The Thing that Couldn't Die is a 1958 American horror film produced and directed by Will Cowan and starring William Reynolds, Andra Martin, Jeffrey Stone, and Carolyn Kearney. Based on an original screenplay by David Duncan for Universal Pictures, it was released in the United States on a double bill in May 1958 with the British Hammer Films classic Horror of Dracula. Plot Jessica Burns (Carolyn Kearney), a young woman who claims to have psychic powers, lives on a California dude ranch with her Aunt Flavia (Peggy Converse). When Jessica is called upon to dowse in search of a groundwater spring, she instead discovers a buried box dating from the 16th century. Against Jessica's warnings, Flavia takes the box back to her house. Flavia, consumed with thoughts of buried treasure, wants to open the box immediately. But Gordon Hawthorne (William Reynolds), a guest at the ranch who has shown interest in Jessica, argues the box should be kept intact for appraisal. That night, he leaves the ranch to bring an archaeologist friend to inspect the box. However, Flavia’s greedy ranch foreman, Boyd, also anticipating treasure, secretly convinces slow-witted handyman Mike to break the cask open. Instead of gold or gemstones, the box contains the intact head of Gideon Drew (Robin Hughes), a man executed for sorcery 400 years earlier. The head awakens and telepathically controls Mike. Drew’s head commands Mike to murder Boyd, then has the handyman conceal it while arranging to have a coffin retrieved containing Drew’s body. The head takes control of Linda (Andra Martin), another ranch guest. She places the head in a hat box inside a guest room closet. Flavia and Jessica discover Boyd’s body and call the police.