| Alien Hand Syndrome (AHS) is a peculiar condition in which the sufferer believes that his hand is not under his control – or worse, is under the control of some outside influence. The idea of being at war with one’s own hand is such a potently bizarre concept that depictions of this disorder in film tend to be creepy and hilarious at the same time.
The most famous cinematic sufferer of AHS has got to be Dr. Strangelove, as depicted by Peter Sellers in the 1964 film of the same name. In fact, AHS is often referred to as "Strangelove Syndrome." In the film, Sellers plays three roles, including the wheelchair-bound German-accented Strangelove, a grotesque weirdo who gives uncontrollable Nazi salutes from time-to-time.
The character was intended to satirize the U.S. military’s policy of recruiting former Nazi scientists by giving them a "clean slate" record following the Second World War. Much of the humour of the Strangelove scenes comes from the fact that everybody, including the U.S. president, chooses to overlook all of Strangelove’s frantic sieg heiling. Strangelove himself seems unable to control his errant right arm, and wrestles with it constantly.
Doctor S may be the most famous sufferer of Alien Hand Syndrome, but he’s hardly alone. Check out these hapless stooges with disobedient limbs.
· Evil Dead II (1987) – Who could forget the image of Bruce Campbell getting beaten up by his own hand? Of all the great "wrestling your own arm" performances, this must surely be the yardstick by which all others are measured. Campbell wisely gives up all pretence of subtlety, and gives an eye-rolling, teeth-gnashing performance that’s just as twisted and insane as the script itself. Impossible to describe — but once seen, never forgotten.
· All of Me (1984) – A planned reincarnation mishap causes Roger (Steve Martin) to lose control of the right half of his body, which gets possessed by wealthy spinster Edwina (Lily Tomlin). Physical comedy ensues, as the two halves bicker and struggle for control. Steve Martin does a brilliant job of affecting feminine mannerisms with his right hand, while the two halves of his body try to get through a court appearance, a funeral and basic bodily functions.
· Mad Love (1935) – There’s suspense aplenty in this outstanding thriller starring Peter Lorre as demented surgeon Dr. Gogol and Colin Clive as Stephen Orlac, a concert pianist whose wife is the object of Gogol’s twisted obsession. When Orlac’s hands are mangled in a train wreck, he receives a hand transplant performed by Gogol. Orlac later learns, to his horror, that the donor was an executed murderer, whose knife-hurling skills he has now inherited. A terrific version of the oft-remade Hands of Orlac (1924).
· Body Parts (1991) – Another Hands of Orlac update, this time with Jeff (Lawnmower Man) Fahey as the hapless limb recipient. It’s been ages since I’ve seen this one, but I recall being suitably entertained by its creepy excesses.
· Invader Zim (2001-2003) – You know what? I’m not even going to explain anything at all about this wigged-out cartoon series. I’m just going to quote this classic exchange:
Zim: (speaking into microphone) At this very moment I'm in a microscopic submersible somewhere in your disgusting belly, attached to your arm control nerve.
Dib: Arm control nerve?
Zim: Yes, arm control nerve.
Dib: In my belly?
Zim: Yes.
Dib: Humans don't have arm control nerves.
Zim: Do not question me! I control your arms!
(Dib shrieks as his arms wiggle uncontrollably)
Dib: AAAARGH! ARMS… LIKE… NOODLES!
· Midori Days (2004) – OK, deep breath everyone – this gets a little weird. High school boy Seiji is desperate for a girlfriend, but has been turned down by 20 girls in a row. Despairing that he’ll spend the rest of his life with no girlfriend other than his own right hand, he goes to bed — and wakes up to find that his right hand has changed into a tiny female admirer. Yipe! Apparently, sweet little blue-haired Midori has been harbouring a secret crush on our hero for years, and the strength of her longing has magically transformed her into Seiji’s right fist. Now that they share the same circulatory system, the shy Midori finally announces her feelings to Seiji, but their romance is certain to be a complex one for purely logistical reasons. Meanwhile, Seiji must go about his daily routine with his nubile right hand hidden from view. Stranger-than-usual animated Japanese romance in 13 episodes. |
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