In an era when sci-fi flicks were becoming so popular (THE DAY THE EARTH STOOD STILL, INVASION OF THE BODY SNATCHERS), this was always one of my favorites. There's a "Twilight Zone" feeling about this kind of story and it's done very effectively.
Handsome, sensitive GRANT WILLIAMS had only a brief fling at a few more big screen films before he went back to TV, where he started, and spent the rest of his career in a variety of classic old-time television shows and a string of other detective or western yarns. He was a competent actor, convincing here as the hero who shrinks to the point where he has to fend off a feisty house cat and even further to the extent that he lives in a doll house.
The chase by the house cat into the cellar leads to the film's big set piece, where his diminutive size challenges him to a struggle for survival among larger than life objects, including a spider intent on making him its prey. He manages to deal with his obstacle course in very resourceful ways because, as small as he is, he still has a man's brain. This leads to some philosophical voice-over narration which makes the whole story seem a level higher than the usual science fiction stories with happy endings.
This still holds fascination for viewers today with its very clever use of over-sized sets to give the illusion he is shrinking at a rapid rate. Produced on a modest budget, it was a huge success and remains a cult classic today. It borders on Ray Bradbury type of fiction and is well worth viewing, lasting a brisk one hour and twenty-one minutes.
Handsome, sensitive GRANT WILLIAMS had only a brief fling at a few more big screen films before he went back to TV, where he started, and spent the rest of his career in a variety of classic old-time television shows and a string of other detective or western yarns. He was a competent actor, convincing here as the hero who shrinks to the point where he has to fend off a feisty house cat and even further to the extent that he lives in a doll house.
The chase by the house cat into the cellar leads to the film's big set piece, where his diminutive size challenges him to a struggle for survival among larger than life objects, including a spider intent on making him its prey. He manages to deal with his obstacle course in very resourceful ways because, as small as he is, he still has a man's brain. This leads to some philosophical voice-over narration which makes the whole story seem a level higher than the usual science fiction stories with happy endings.
This still holds fascination for viewers today with its very clever use of over-sized sets to give the illusion he is shrinking at a rapid rate. Produced on a modest budget, it was a huge success and remains a cult classic today. It borders on Ray Bradbury type of fiction and is well worth viewing, lasting a brisk one hour and twenty-one minutes.