The Incredible Shrinking Man (1957) - Episode 83 - Decades of Horror: The Classic Era

“In my hunt for food, I had become the hunted. This time I survived, but I was no longer alone in my universe. I had an enemy, the most terrifying ever beheld by human eyes.” You’ll get no argument here! Join this episode’s Grue-Crew - Whitney Collazo, Chad Hunt, Jeff Mohr, and guest host Ralph Miller (special effects artist) - as they journey into the ever-shrinking world of The Incredible Shrinking Man (1957).

Decades of Horror: The Classic Era
Episode 83 – The Incredible Shrinking Man (1957)

When Scott Carey begins to shrink because of exposure to a combination of radiation and insecticide, medical science is powerless to help him.

IMDb

 

• Director: Jack Arnold
• Writer: Richard Matheson (screenplay based on his novel The Shrinking Man, 1956)
• Cinematographer: Ellis W. Carter
• Cast
  • Grant Williams as Robert "Scott" Carey
  • Randy Stuart as Louise Carey
  • April Kent as Clarice Bruce
  • Paul Langton as Charlie Carey
  • Raymond Bailey as Dr. Silver
  • William Schallert as Dr. Bramson
  • Billy Curtis as Clarice’s Manager
  • Orangey as Butch the cat

When Richard Matheson and Jack Arnold pair up, the result is The Incredible Shrinking Man, a thought-provoking science fiction-horror film complete with an escape from a now terrifying housecat and a battle to the death with a tarantula. This one is Jeff’s pick and is one of his favorite movies from childhood. Chad is also a big fan and loves the existential soliloquy that closes out the film. Of course, special effects are Ralph’s bailiwick and he delves into each of the different techniques used in The Incredible Shrinking Man. Whitney astutely sees a connection between The Incredible Shrinking Man and the body horror subgenre.

Your Classic Era Grue-Crew gives this one a strong recommendation. At this writing,  The Incredible Shrinking Man is available for streaming on Peacock or for a fee on multiple streaming sites. Unfortunately, at this time, Blu-ray editions are few and far between and The Incredible Shrinking Man has yet to receive an in-depth treatment with extras.

Gruesome Magazine’s Decades of Horror: The Classic Era records a new episode every two weeks. The next episode in their very flexible schedule is chosen by Chad and will The Curse of the Werewolf (1961), a Hammer classic directed by Terence Fisher. Be sure to join us for that one!

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To each of you from each of us, “Thank you so much for listening!”