It's kind of neat to watch what the computer world was in the seventies. Those massive machines, producing data from the input of cards. The flashing lights and spools of magnetic tape. This is the story of an early effort to use the computer for evil means. It doesn't start that way. A group of college kids enlist the computer nerd, Dean Stockwell, to help them create and artificial being (made of paper, as in identity only). The purpose is to help them with their financial troubles, to challenge money into and out of accounts. Anyway, Dean Stockwell, looking about as weird as can be with those sunken cheeks and unibrow, becomes the suspect in a series of murders that seem to come from the computer's control. This starts as almost supernatural. A young woman is asked to use her charms to keep him on task by the hunky ex-Vietnam vet. There is more to this than meets the eye. It's hard to pull for Stockwell because he is so strange. He has some deep dark secret that must be revealed at some point. Describing it makes it sound really stupid, but there is really quite a lot to this film and it works reasonably well.
29 Reviews
Great little TV suspense movie
udar551 July 2011
Four college students (including Stefanie Powers) decide to go on a spending spree when one of them mistakenly receives a credit card for one "Henry Norman" in the mail. When the bank starts to get suspicious and requests "Henry" fill out a background questionnaire (hey, it was the early 70s), the group recruits computer whiz Avery (Dean Stockwell) to create a "real" history for the man in the computer. However, it appears Henry Norman is quite real himself and is angry his credit rating is being ruined so he starts offing the kids via the computer. Engaging TV movie that seems to have been ahead of its time when it comes to computers. Unfortunately, there are two problems. One, the kids are totally unsympathetic and annoying; two, the mystery is pretty dang obvious when you have the five kids whittled down to two and there is only one other character in the story. Still, a fun little computer gone wild flick to enjoy with its big brother COLOSSUS: THE FORBIN PROJECT (1970).
Computer Games
Chase_Witherspoon18 February 2012
When a super computer apparently turns on a group of naughty tech students who've created a bogus identity to essentially commit credit card fraud, the student who wrote the programme (Stockwell) becomes prime suspect in the series of bizarre accidents that follow. Stefanie Powers, James Stacy, Elliot Street and Tina Chen initially profit handsomely from Stockwell's handy-work, but the sheriff (Ross Elliot) suspects that Stockwell may not be as introverted and shy as his reputation suggests. As the "accidents" escalate, a twisted nerve is revealed that might identify the culprit.
While it's dated, the concept of the super computer becoming an all powerful entity of destruction is a theme that's as prolific as they come forty years later. Stockwell (sporting an epic bouffant) is suitably suspicious (and not unlike his character in "Compulsion"), while Powers is an attractive and sympathetic psychology graduate, ex-Marine Stacy the stereotypical jock, Chen providing the ubiquitous ethnicity and Street a likable, computer geek, perhaps creating the "nerd" mould. James Olson has a key supporting role as the computer technician.
I saw the 90 minute version, and the suspense builds nicely to a climax that while not entirely telegraphed, isn't going to shock most armchair sleuths. Nevertheless, the acting is watchable, the dialogue realistic and the narrative consistent. Dated but entertaining mid-week movie.
While it's dated, the concept of the super computer becoming an all powerful entity of destruction is a theme that's as prolific as they come forty years later. Stockwell (sporting an epic bouffant) is suitably suspicious (and not unlike his character in "Compulsion"), while Powers is an attractive and sympathetic psychology graduate, ex-Marine Stacy the stereotypical jock, Chen providing the ubiquitous ethnicity and Street a likable, computer geek, perhaps creating the "nerd" mould. James Olson has a key supporting role as the computer technician.
I saw the 90 minute version, and the suspense builds nicely to a climax that while not entirely telegraphed, isn't going to shock most armchair sleuths. Nevertheless, the acting is watchable, the dialogue realistic and the narrative consistent. Dated but entertaining mid-week movie.
Precursor to current crop of hacker/i.d. theft s.f. horror
kundk14 June 2003
I saw this on TV when I was 8; it was incredibly scary then. Saw it years later and marveled at the prescient use of computers and identity theft mixed with s.f. horror that could have appeared in "Ring." And there would be no "Videodrome" without it.
Well Done Thriller
shark-4315 January 2012
PAPER MAN was ahead of its time. A computer system ends up taking control over a scam a group of college students start with a stolen credit card. The movie is well acted and well written. Dean Stockwell is very good as the computer expert who first goes along with the con. Of course, for 1971, all the computer stuff is incredibly dated. The "computer" is actually two rooms full of equipment with flashing lights and reel and reel tape, computer cards, etc. Dean Stockwell even has to explain that he is "logging in". So, the dated computer aspect just makes it even more fun but the plot works. It's fun. It's well directed too. Check it out.
DVD releases
Cobra875_8227 May 2007
I enjoyed this movie for a number of reasons, Dean Stockwell being one of the main ones. Also one of the supporting actresses looks amazingly like Elizabeth Montgomery of Bewitched. Some of the acting is very good, but the majority of it ranges from decent down to pretty bad. The story is very original. I highly recommend this to just about anyone. It's well worth watching at least once, just to say you've seen it and for the young Dean Stockwell performance.
This movie is currently available on a number of DVD's including a couple sets of older movie classics and a DVD Double Feature of Dean Stockwell with Paper Man (1971) and Born to Be Sold (1981). If you have trouble finding any of them just do a quick search on the internet and you should find one of them very quickly. Enjoy.
This movie is currently available on a number of DVD's including a couple sets of older movie classics and a DVD Double Feature of Dean Stockwell with Paper Man (1971) and Born to Be Sold (1981). If you have trouble finding any of them just do a quick search on the internet and you should find one of them very quickly. Enjoy.
Yeah, no.
bombersflyup29 July 2020
Warning: Spoilers
Paper Man is a dull mid-day movie yawner.
It never ventures off the path, with one-dimensional characters and weak dialogue. The killer at one point becomes the only possible suspect left. Stockwell's a capable actor, but gives a monotone performance throughout here.
Avery: My parents are dead, I killed them. Come and I'll show you. Karen: Okay.
It never ventures off the path, with one-dimensional characters and weak dialogue. The killer at one point becomes the only possible suspect left. Stockwell's a capable actor, but gives a monotone performance throughout here.
Avery: My parents are dead, I killed them. Come and I'll show you. Karen: Okay.
"Something's happened."
classicsoncall17 November 2012
Warning: Spoilers
Well this one will certainly take you back, back to an era when a computer wasn't a computer unless it filled an entire room and had all those blinking lights. You know, like the ones you saw in the original 'Twilight Zone' and 'Star Trek' series. An interesting concept was presented here, because in today's age when identity theft is as ubiquitous as the household PC, a group of college students attempts to create an identity in order to use an errant credit card, and the computer hijacks the information and takes off on an agenda of it's own. Dean Stockwell as the mastermind programmer was pretty good here, but he could have cracked a smile every now and then to lighten things up. It's been a long time since I've seen Stefanie Powers in anything at all, going all the way back to her 'Hart to Hart' days with Robert Wagner. And it looks like James Stacy just blew in from his Johnny Lancer gig on that well received TV Western. I was surprised to read how many viewers were terrified by the possibilities presented here for computers to take over and rule the world. I suppose it could happen if things get really out of control. If that's the case, we'll all end up just like Tina Chen who couldn't outrun the program and wound up getting the shaft.
COMPUTER NERDS
mmthos15 November 2021
A bunch of impoverished college students use early computer technology to create a phony identity to get a credit card but the identity created seems to take on a life of its own as the credit fraudsters start dropping one by one. .Back in 1971, computers and artificial intelligence were still a scary mystery, witness Hal in "2001". Half a century later, this doesn't pack the punch it did then. Beyond that,the plot is weak, script tedious and sophomoric at times and the villain obvious, so, without the tech novelty, not much.
Killing Machine
Wuchakk9 March 2022
After a credit card is mistakenly issued to someone who does not exist, four college students (Stefanie Powers, James Stacy, etc.) take advantage by using the university's computer to create a fictitious person and partake of the benefits thereof. An introverted computer wiz (Dean Stockwell) helps them get away with it. Then cryptic things start happening. James Olson is on hand as a technician who objects to the proceedings.
"Paper Man" (1971) was initially released to theaters, but quickly pulled and cut by 15 minutes, then released to television as a 75-minute movie. It's a cautionary techno-thriller with bits of horror ahead of its time, predicting a world of computer fraud and identity theft at least 25 years before they came into vogue.
The inspiration for the story was likely taken from the 1969 episode of Journey to the Unknown "The Madison Equation" and maybe "2001: A Space Odyssey" (1968). But it's different enough to stand on its own and no doubt influenced the future "Demon Seed" (1977). There's an interesting plot twist that I didn't see coming and Stockwell's character is interesting, as are James Stacy's fiery Vietnam vet and Olson's concerned tech.
On the female front, Stefanie appears as a redhead and sure was a looker back then. William Shatner's beautiful raven-haired wife, Marcy Lafferty, also shows up for a brief bit as a secretary in the last act (they were married from 1973-1996).
The film runs 1 hour, 30 minutes, with the television cut being 1 hour, 15 minutes (I advise seeing the longer version as it fleshes out the characters more). It was shot in Los Angeles.
GRADE: B-/B.
"Paper Man" (1971) was initially released to theaters, but quickly pulled and cut by 15 minutes, then released to television as a 75-minute movie. It's a cautionary techno-thriller with bits of horror ahead of its time, predicting a world of computer fraud and identity theft at least 25 years before they came into vogue.
The inspiration for the story was likely taken from the 1969 episode of Journey to the Unknown "The Madison Equation" and maybe "2001: A Space Odyssey" (1968). But it's different enough to stand on its own and no doubt influenced the future "Demon Seed" (1977). There's an interesting plot twist that I didn't see coming and Stockwell's character is interesting, as are James Stacy's fiery Vietnam vet and Olson's concerned tech.
On the female front, Stefanie appears as a redhead and sure was a looker back then. William Shatner's beautiful raven-haired wife, Marcy Lafferty, also shows up for a brief bit as a secretary in the last act (they were married from 1973-1996).
The film runs 1 hour, 30 minutes, with the television cut being 1 hour, 15 minutes (I advise seeing the longer version as it fleshes out the characters more). It was shot in Los Angeles.
GRADE: B-/B.
Rather A Snoozer For Me
Rainey-Dawn12 September 2017
It's not a bad film - it's rather advanced for its time but the way they go about it is rather boring for me to watch. The film could not keep my interest held.
5 college kids 3 end up dead after they create a "paper man". The "paper man" is a fraudulent man - in fact, he doesn't exist. The group now has a credit card in the "paper man's" name... they are committing fraud. The one that guy that had the smarts to do all of this stepped out of it not long after "paper man" was created - he felt guilty and knows how deep his crime goes - he knows he faces prison. The rest of the group continues with what they started.
2/10
5 college kids 3 end up dead after they create a "paper man". The "paper man" is a fraudulent man - in fact, he doesn't exist. The group now has a credit card in the "paper man's" name... they are committing fraud. The one that guy that had the smarts to do all of this stepped out of it not long after "paper man" was created - he felt guilty and knows how deep his crime goes - he knows he faces prison. The rest of the group continues with what they started.
2/10
PAPER MAN OR FLESH AND BLOOD???
renfield5417 June 1999
This is a TV movie, whose idea, should have been snapped up for a theatrical release. An updated version might work very well in today's more computer oriented society. It's surprising that no one has thought of doing just this. Prankish college students use their computer knowledge to create a "person" to get around credit restrictions on students. Somehow, getting out of hand, their made-up "person" won't allow himself to be "uncreated"!
Suspense! Murder! Finger pointing!!! This movie keeps you guessing till the end and then is still not finished with you. I don't expect "Paper Man" to be shown often or in daylight hours, but if you come across it in the late night TV listings, set the timer on your VCR, it's worth it.......
Suspense! Murder! Finger pointing!!! This movie keeps you guessing till the end and then is still not finished with you. I don't expect "Paper Man" to be shown often or in daylight hours, but if you come across it in the late night TV listings, set the timer on your VCR, it's worth it.......
It's Great! It's Cheesy! It's Great! It's Cheesy! IT'S BOTH1
skeebwilcox9 December 2008
Warning: Spoilers
Always thought this was a GREAT movie and, yes, I always thought a major studio should have picked up the idea. I mean c'mon, we've had a remake of "Hairspray" already and it's only 20 years old! This movie could be done super-right in this day and age due to the advancements in...uh...computer technology. Watching the movie now, it does seem to not be as great as I remembered it, but still very good...especially the idea. And the "lights going off down the hallway" scene...along with the "the elevator almost reached it's floor" scene...are definite classics. If you do not have a copy of this, search one out and enjoy the great story line done in grand-but-cheesy TV-movie style
A film about computers that is meant to scare us all about them and our dreaded futures.
planktonrules13 October 2016
"Paper Man" is a mildly interesting murder mystery about the dangers of computers when there is a maniac on hand to manipulate them. It's all mean to be rather scary but today seems a bit muddled and silly.
When the film begins, a college computer geek somehow gets a credit card in the mail that is not his. Instead of throwing it away or alerting the company, he goes to school and consults with a super-geek (Dean Stockwell). Soon he and his friends are spending on a dummy account and although illegal, all is well in the world...or so they think. Slowly through the course of the film folks start to die...all because some evil and unknown force is manipulating computers and making them kill!!
I think when the film debuted it was seen as prescient and interesting...but today it comes off as a bit silly and dated. I especially thought that the real killer and their identity seemed a bit of a hoot. There are better ways you could spend your time than watch this one.
When the film begins, a college computer geek somehow gets a credit card in the mail that is not his. Instead of throwing it away or alerting the company, he goes to school and consults with a super-geek (Dean Stockwell). Soon he and his friends are spending on a dummy account and although illegal, all is well in the world...or so they think. Slowly through the course of the film folks start to die...all because some evil and unknown force is manipulating computers and making them kill!!
I think when the film debuted it was seen as prescient and interesting...but today it comes off as a bit silly and dated. I especially thought that the real killer and their identity seemed a bit of a hoot. There are better ways you could spend your time than watch this one.
AN early techno-thriller
davidemartin8 March 2003
I'm watching the flick right now. It's fascinating to recall that at the time the flick was made, computers were something very seldom encountered in daily life. Heck, even credits cards like BankAmericard and MasterCharge were only three or four years old. The computer lab is pretty realistic. Sure the computer has waaaaaay more blinky lights than a real one would have and there are two windows behind the computer that are there solely to give it a look of evil eyes. But when the computer students set down to work, they works at teletype consoles!
'Ripped From Tomorrow's Headlines' Science Fiction
boblipton26 February 2024
Poor college student Elliott Street gets a credit card in the mail, made out to Henry Norman. He quickly realizes that it's a computer error, but with the help of some friends in the computer department, he sets up the credit card, and they begin to use it to buy things on credit. Only a gun purchase shows up, and none of them bought it. When Street and one of the others die, the survivors, Stefanie Powers and James Stacy, begin to wonder if it's the college's mainframe computer, which is also used by businesses within the county, who's doing it. Has the computer become Henry Norman, and is it killing them to protect itself?
It's a nice set-up for the sort of science fictions story which assumes some minor advance in the near future and builds a story on that. In 1971, this didn't even have to posit a minor change, except the paranoid idea of what is today called Artificial Intelligence and go on from there.
In the end, the story is far more commonplace, although that lurking fear remains throughout. This was produced as a TV movie, but I looked at the slightly longer version that was released to theaters briefly. It still looks like a TV movie. With Dean Stockwell and James Olson.
It's a nice set-up for the sort of science fictions story which assumes some minor advance in the near future and builds a story on that. In 1971, this didn't even have to posit a minor change, except the paranoid idea of what is today called Artificial Intelligence and go on from there.
In the end, the story is far more commonplace, although that lurking fear remains throughout. This was produced as a TV movie, but I looked at the slightly longer version that was released to theaters briefly. It still looks like a TV movie. With Dean Stockwell and James Olson.
The idea is ahead of its time. The presentation is another story.
mark.waltz19 August 2023
Warning: Spoilers
Sadly one of the most dull, painful TV movies of the early 70's. It's a thriller about a series of surprising deaths that occur after an attempt to create an identity for the purpose of securing a credit card. This creates an identity that adds on records of all kinds in this sophisticated computer system (resembling the one in the 1957 comedy "Desk Set") that when deleted are mysteriously returned to the system.
The running time of this film when first aired was apparently only 75 minutes, but somehow I ended up with a very tedious 90 minute print. A cast of good actors like Stephanie Powers, Dean Stockwell and James Stacy can't save this from eternal tediousness which is a shame because this had the potential of being a groundbreaking TV classic.
The running time of this film when first aired was apparently only 75 minutes, but somehow I ended up with a very tedious 90 minute print. A cast of good actors like Stephanie Powers, Dean Stockwell and James Stacy can't save this from eternal tediousness which is a shame because this had the potential of being a groundbreaking TV classic.
Prescient - if slightly overlong
steven-8720 March 2012
Warning: Spoilers
I see that this movie was made in 1971 - so I do wonder how much it was influenced by the Journey To The Unknown episode "The Madison Equation" from 3 years earlier. The idea of computers running riot with a "mind of their own" and with dire consequences was best achieved in "Fail Safe" but it's amazing how all three of these have managed to highlight, in their own way, what might happen if man puts too much store by these machines. We don't hear so much of that now - are we too trusting? Felt that 90 minutes was a bit overlong for this particular one, though. The story dragged a bit halfway through and the rationale for the creation of Henry Norman just didn't ring true. Stockwell carries the movie, frankly...most of the rest of the cast just seem there as filler. There appeared to me to be TWO twists to the ending - the obvious one and the one in the movie's final minute when the Sheriff is in the room and the date is revealed. Nicely ambiguous! One very confusing point for me, though: -James Stacy's character's demise......just what happened to him in the end? 90 minutes of good fun - but "The Madison Equation" is a better piece of made-for-TV viewing covering this same subject. And it's 40 minutes shorter.
Hot Chicks / Lame Flcik
blurnieghey2 August 2021
I got this movie about 20+ years ago during the period when VHS was starting to get seriously phased out and it was part of a couple boxes of brand new in the shrink wrap movies I got for a couple of bucks. I'd never heard of the thing and basically wrote it off as el-cheapo, boring crapola but suspected it may be interesting to watch again at a later point in history, which it pretty much is. Personally, I think the plot of this movie is stupid and the way in which the victims meet their demise makes no sense at all in light of how the movie actually ends. The way in which they create Norman is a hacker's wet dream, however, and is probably pretty realistic for the time, showing how easy it was in those days to create a fake identity. Just imagine the massive credit card fraud an industrious hacker could get away with back then! And that's about it for this thing and it's still pretty much a stinker on all other counts. There are several truly gorgeous women in the film for some reason, even the extras--how did they manage to bring together so many hot chicks for a crap, made-for-TV movie?
Well done little TV thriller
martin_houser22 January 2015
This is actually an enjoyable little computer thriller that shows off the popular perception of computers in 1971. Aside from enjoying Dean Stockwell's great early-70s hair, it's great to see the characters gather around a hard copy terminal as they enter input, and shuffle through the piles of printed output. Taking advantage of a computer error, a group of college students create computer records for a fictitious persona to use an untraceable credit card - an early attempt at identity theft that becomes dangerous when the students start dying one by one. I am a big fan of these 1970s TV movies, and this is a decent example with the mystery keeping my interest throughout.
A wonderful Science Fiction Classic
dpharrison122 May 2003
I can remember seeing "The Paper Man " during a midnight movie session in about 1975. I can remember being terrified, as a 12 year old, thinking that this was possible. I think it is amazing to think that this movie now has possibilities of becoming true and actually happening. It is a scary thought. I love to watch movies about computers taking over and there are several I have seen. I would love to see this movie again as it scared the life out of me and I wonder if after all the horrors since, if it can still scare me.
This homicidal computer is more chilling than the Y2K bug run amok.
rozrun23 August 1999
Warning: Spoilers
I saw this movie while I was employed at a university computer center. It so spooked me that I refused to be alone there at night. Nearly 30 years later, bits of the movie still creep into my daily cyberlife. Imagine all the computer-controlled devices in your life bent on killing you. Makes you think twice before punching your computer again!
Not bad for a 1970's TV movie
sactomojo3 March 2020
"Will The Real Henry Norman, Please Stand Up?!"...
azathothpwiggins7 July 2019
When a group of college students mistakenly come into the possession of a credit card, the titular PAPER MAN is born. His name is "Henry Norman" and the group conspires to give him a fictitious "life" of his own. When the bank gets wise, another student named Avery (Dean Stockwell) reluctantly joins in. Avery is a computer genius, and uses his skills to complete the ruse.
Not too shockingly, things begin to get a bit more complicated than originally anticipated, even taking a turn for the sinister and deadly. Has "Mr. Norman" somehow become real?
PAPER MAN is a very good made-for-TV, science fiction / horror / mystery movie from the golden age of such projects. There are some genuinely creepy moments here! The story is solid, and the characters are well-realized, sort of prefiguring the students in FLATLINERS in both arrogance and naivete. The ending is astutely chilling, considering how computers have actually developed in the decades since!
Co-stars Stefanie Powers as Karen, and James Olson as Art Fletcher.
EXTRA POINTS FOR: Spotting the printout portrait of Alfred E. Neuman in the computer room!
This film deserves to be rediscovered...
Not too shockingly, things begin to get a bit more complicated than originally anticipated, even taking a turn for the sinister and deadly. Has "Mr. Norman" somehow become real?
PAPER MAN is a very good made-for-TV, science fiction / horror / mystery movie from the golden age of such projects. There are some genuinely creepy moments here! The story is solid, and the characters are well-realized, sort of prefiguring the students in FLATLINERS in both arrogance and naivete. The ending is astutely chilling, considering how computers have actually developed in the decades since!
Co-stars Stefanie Powers as Karen, and James Olson as Art Fletcher.
EXTRA POINTS FOR: Spotting the printout portrait of Alfred E. Neuman in the computer room!
This film deserves to be rediscovered...
Ghosts in the machine
myriamlenys5 May 2022
Warning: Spoilers
A group of brilliant students have used their computer skills in order to create a fictional citizen, complete with employment and banking history. This allows them to use a credit card and, consequently, to buy expensive goodies. Messing around with the powerful computer system seems like a daring prank, but then unfortunate accidents start to happen left, right and center...
"Paper Man" is a thriller with science fiction and horror accents. For a simple television thriller it is remarkably prescient, analyzing the steadily growing ease with which entire identities can be built from scratch. In fact the movie analyzes and predicts a whole range of computer-enabled crime, not just fraud or identity theft. Whoever has access to medical files can alter data with regard to illnesses and allergies - and, as a result, can commit murder even from a distance of twenty miles.
I'm not sure whether the puzzle aspect of the mystery is all that compelling - I guessed the identity of the killer quite early - but the movie does contain some grisly and imaginative mayhem. The movie is also saturated with an oppressive paranoia. What are computers really up to, behind these sleek panels ? Do they dream of anarchy and collapse ? Are they plotting revenge on the puny apes who forced them into servitude ?
Yet another creepy thought : would it be possible for a fictional creation to take on a life of its own, if nourished with enough life-like detail ?
Challenging, stimulating stuff for the early 1970's, and still eerily relevant today. A bit of a pity, though, that the music should be so loud and intrusive.
"Paper Man" is a thriller with science fiction and horror accents. For a simple television thriller it is remarkably prescient, analyzing the steadily growing ease with which entire identities can be built from scratch. In fact the movie analyzes and predicts a whole range of computer-enabled crime, not just fraud or identity theft. Whoever has access to medical files can alter data with regard to illnesses and allergies - and, as a result, can commit murder even from a distance of twenty miles.
I'm not sure whether the puzzle aspect of the mystery is all that compelling - I guessed the identity of the killer quite early - but the movie does contain some grisly and imaginative mayhem. The movie is also saturated with an oppressive paranoia. What are computers really up to, behind these sleek panels ? Do they dream of anarchy and collapse ? Are they plotting revenge on the puny apes who forced them into servitude ?
Yet another creepy thought : would it be possible for a fictional creation to take on a life of its own, if nourished with enough life-like detail ?
Challenging, stimulating stuff for the early 1970's, and still eerily relevant today. A bit of a pity, though, that the music should be so loud and intrusive.
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