One of the very best science fiction films ever made, this stands the test of time and easily recovers from a few obvious bad special photographic effects to become a cult classic. It starts with a mysterious mist, one that mixed with some powerful insecticide causes writer Grant Williams to start shrinking, a little bit at a time, to a point where he is living in a doll's house, then falls down a hole into the cellar steps into a box of sewing equipment. It's a very simple story, but it is done extremely well, with the stress of his situation causing an obvious conflict between Williams and his wife (Randy Stuart) who is at a loss as to what to do, but refuses to secede to Williams' generous offer of ending their marriage. The mixture of science fiction and personal drama is intertwined by a public's need to know, one so wretchedly intrusive that you come to hate the lingering press and strangers that hold court outside their home.
Another telling sequence has Williams tired of being locked in, taking a walk in the evening, stared at by the passersby, even as he crosses the street in an effort to avoid them. He ends up at a side show carnival where he encounters a real life dwarf who tries to help him to accept his situation. He's almost there until he notices that all of a sudden, she's taller than him, and that puts him even more in the depths of despair. As he shrinks even more, he goes from playing with their friendly house cat to possibly becoming its victim, and in the cat's defense, it does what cats do. Unlike the friendly dog who recognizes its owner in "The Attack of the Puppet People", this cat wants an instant meal, and for all it knows this little creature is nothing more significant than a mouse. Later, Williams encounters a furry tarantula, creating another chilling moment, especially after Stuart and Williams' brother (Paul Langton) believe him to have been eaten alive. A sly reference to the cat no longer being there might disturb a few who instantly know that the cat has been put to sleep!
In the role of the sweet carnival girl who befriends Williams, April Kent (real life granddaughter of "Gypsy's" Mama Rose) is quite touching. TV sitcom veterans William Schallert ("The Patty Duke Show") and Raymond Bailey ("The Beverly Hillbillies") are fine as two of Williams' doctors. The explanations for Williams' condition are also well written and somewhat believable. This has many amazing moments that shows the care that the writers took in creating its screenplay, with the special effects and set design (extra large chairs and tables made for Williams, and later on even huge spools of thread and sewing needles) superb. Footage of this has been utilized in documentaries on classic science fiction both good and bad, and as indeed, this did come from Hollywood, that's one classic piece of science fiction that I'm truly grateful that did!
Another telling sequence has Williams tired of being locked in, taking a walk in the evening, stared at by the passersby, even as he crosses the street in an effort to avoid them. He ends up at a side show carnival where he encounters a real life dwarf who tries to help him to accept his situation. He's almost there until he notices that all of a sudden, she's taller than him, and that puts him even more in the depths of despair. As he shrinks even more, he goes from playing with their friendly house cat to possibly becoming its victim, and in the cat's defense, it does what cats do. Unlike the friendly dog who recognizes its owner in "The Attack of the Puppet People", this cat wants an instant meal, and for all it knows this little creature is nothing more significant than a mouse. Later, Williams encounters a furry tarantula, creating another chilling moment, especially after Stuart and Williams' brother (Paul Langton) believe him to have been eaten alive. A sly reference to the cat no longer being there might disturb a few who instantly know that the cat has been put to sleep!
In the role of the sweet carnival girl who befriends Williams, April Kent (real life granddaughter of "Gypsy's" Mama Rose) is quite touching. TV sitcom veterans William Schallert ("The Patty Duke Show") and Raymond Bailey ("The Beverly Hillbillies") are fine as two of Williams' doctors. The explanations for Williams' condition are also well written and somewhat believable. This has many amazing moments that shows the care that the writers took in creating its screenplay, with the special effects and set design (extra large chairs and tables made for Williams, and later on even huge spools of thread and sewing needles) superb. Footage of this has been utilized in documentaries on classic science fiction both good and bad, and as indeed, this did come from Hollywood, that's one classic piece of science fiction that I'm truly grateful that did!