CULT OF THE COBRA

Faith Domergue as Lisa

CULT OF THE COBRA (1955). Director: Francis D. Lyon.

Several soldiers are in Asia in 1945 when they encounter a man named Daru (Leonard Strong), who tells them he can get them in to see the rites of a snake-worshipping cult  -- the Cult of the Cobra -- for a price. Unfortunately, while the ceremony is going on, one of the men, Nick (James Dobson), stupidly takes a photo with a flash bulb! Pandemonium results, one cultist is killed, and a death curse is placed on the heads of the fleeing G.I.s. 

Leonard Strong, Jack Kelly, Reynolds, Janssen

Back in the U.S., Tom (Marshall Thompson) learns that Julia (Kathleen Hughes), who dated both Tom and his roommate Paul (Richard Long), has decided to marry the latter. A despondent Tom is happy to meet a beautiful new neighbor, Lisa (Faith Domergue of Legacy of Blood), and they quickly fall for each other. In the meantime, Tom's G.I. buddies -- Rico (David Janssen), Carl (Jack Kelly), and Pete (William Reynolds) -- begin dying in mysterious ways, and Lisa takes surreptitious walks late at night. The Cult of the Cobra. also known as Lamians, always claimed some of the cultists could change from human into snake ... 

On the rebound? Marshall Thompson

Cult of the Cobra is an entertaining picture with an interesting cast. Although Domergue may not seem like the perfect choice to play an Asian snake goddess, she gives a generally good performance, as does Marshall Thompson. Domergue convincingly gets across her distress that she may be forced to kill a man that she is falling in love with. The other actors show little emotion as their buddies start dropping like flies. The picture has no atmosphere or much directorial flair, although it does generate some suspense towards the end. Kathleen Hughes is decorative as Julia. A confrontation between her and Domergue is over just as it starts to get interesting. 

Verdict: Worth one look but probably not another. **1/2.