back in the 80's i was doing a video. the director wanted it to look like i was swimming in a cocktail. i struggled into a wetsuit and swam around a dolphin tank with a giant red and white striped straw. i was terrified that the huge overhead light would fall into the water and electrocute me.
when the actor grant williams made 'the incredible shrinking man' he was probably enjoying cocktail's, not swimming in them. although the temptation to crack up will be tugging at your sleeve throughout this 1957 classic, it is far more brilliant than funny.
how on earth can this happen to a man? all he was doing was lying on the deck of a boat with his wife, soaking up the sun. luckily for her, she popped into the cabin for some refreshment when a 'mist' passed over. by the time the happily married couple return home, 'scott' has changed. and he keeps changing.
how i love special effects that are hand made. the pathos of the characters translates so well when simply displayed. the giant spider, 'scott's' tiny loin cloth, the circus performer he shares a huge cup of coffee with..... it is a great look back at a much younger world of science fiction that is both fantastic and philosophical.
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