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The Scalpel

Logline
A mad doctor transforms into a monstrous killer and creates mayhem in a medical institute. (The Scalpel is a 1936 never-released film by then 19-year-old filmmaker, Richard Lyford with a score by Ed Hartman.)

Synopsis:

In 1936, in Seattle, a nineteen-year-old budding filmmaker using his own equipment had already created over 50 stage/screenplays and was working on his seventh of nine films before he was 20. This director would go on to work for Disney Studios and direct and edit a 1950 Academy Award Documentary. Richard H. Lyford’s films have developed a following among film historians since his early “amateur” films are some of the first “indie” films ever created outside of Hollywood. Lyford experimented with special effects, double-exposures, and intense makeup and was becoming an excellent director. The film features Lyford’s family and friends playing a variety of nurses and doctors in an experimental medical facility. Barbara Berger, a favorite Lyford lead actress, went on to successfully work on stage and television.
“The Scalpel” is presented for the first time in nearly 90 years! To finish Lyford’s vision, a professionally mixed orchestral soundtrack, by NW film composer, Ed Hartman has been added to the presentation.

“The Scalpel” is a classic horror film in the tradition of Dr. Jeckyll and Mr. Hyde. Doctor Howard Van Cleve, played by Lyford, experiments outside the traditional and ethical bounds of the institute using himself as a test subject. His injections transform his body into a raging monster attacking his fellow colleagues. Nurse Cummings, played by Barbara Berger researches his experiments and discovers the doctor's dangerous experiments. The monster creates mayhem in the facility, and the film climaxes as the staff operates on a critically injured nurse while battling the monster.

  • Richard H Lyford
    Director
    As the Earth Turns
  • Richard H Lyford
    Writer
    As the Earth Turns
  • Richard H Lyford
    Producer
    As the Earth Turns
  • Ed Hartman
    Producer
    As the Earth Turns, It Gets in Your Blood
  • Barbara Berger
    Key Cast
    "Miss Cummings"
    As the Earth Turns
  • Eystein Berger
    Key Cast
    "Dr. Karl Steinner"
  • Richard H Lyford
    Key Cast
    "Doctor Howard Van Cleve"
    As the Earth Turns
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Runtime:
    19 minutes 59 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    June 24, 2024
  • Production Budget:
    5,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    16mm
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Black & White
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Digital Cinema Package:
    Unavailable
Director Biography - Richard H Lyford

Richard Lyford was born, in Seattle, in 1917. Inspired by silent films and stage plays, Richard put on 58 plays and created 9 16mm films by the time he was 20 years old. He presented his live and filmed productions, with his own acting company, in a 50 seat basement theatre in his house.
His early attempts with film, especially 16mm gained the attention of Disney. Lyford worked on Disney films, including the classics, “Dumbo”, “Pinocchio” and “Fantasia”. He pioneered hi-speed animation, special effects and models.
In WWII, he was drafted by the army, and made films for the Army Air Forces. After the war, Lyford created his own films, and co-produced and directed the 1950 Academy Award winning documentary, “The Titan” about Michelangelo.
In 1952, he went to Saudi Arabia (the first Western film crew), and produced a number of films for the Kingdom. “The Fly” was a groundbreaking documentary about the prevention of the disease by the Tsetse Fly.
Other Arab based documentaries were created, but ran into protests due to the Middle Eastern War in 1956. Lyford continued to make films, including “Boy With A Blindfold” about sight restoration, narrated by Walter Pigeon. His filmmaking led him back to Disney to work in “The Wonderful World of Color on television and many other projects.
in addition to filmmaking, Lyford was very much interested in aviation. So much, that he bought a surplus training plane for his backyard. It would “taxi” all over the yard.
Richard Lyford died in 1985.

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Director Statement

"So you see, it gets you! You can't get away from it, and I know that as long as I have greasepaint behind my ears and developer stain on my best shirt, I'll live a happier life."
Richard H. Lyford (American Cinematographer, 1938)