English Version
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THE INCREDIBLE SHRINKING MAN
Richard Matheson is one of those that could be defined as the biblical "manna from heaven," to quote an old saying.
Writer and screenwriter, has written screenplays for cinema and
inspired great success. A long list of works which summarize in a
single post does not honor his immense career. But we are here and we
must do it in a few lines, citing only the main things. We begin with
the story of "I Am Legend" ended up on film three times, in 1964, in
1971 and most recently in 2007, and inspired a few episodes.
The launch of the great Spielberg in the mainstream cinema with "Duel",
it’s due also to the history always written by Matheson, who has
not missed even done a series of important collaborations, like the one
with Corman for the series of films about the Poe’s stories and
Hitchcock also for the writing of "The Birds".We close with the
adaptation for the big-screen of "The Martian Chronicles" by Bradbury
and the screenplay for "Jaws3-D".But much more needs to be said!.
And from this fertile mind comes "The Shrinking Man",a story that the
world of cinema can’t miss. Indeed it’s a story more than
ever suited to sci-fi of the fifties, attracted by genetic mutations of
living beings, including dwarfism and gigantism. Thus, only a year
after the release of the novel, the "Shrinking Man" becomes "The
Incredible Shrinking Man" directed by Jack Arnold.
That Jack Arnold great genius of the sci-fi with a little nuances'
horror, the one of " Creature From The Black Lagoon"and" Tarantula "or
even "It Came From Outer Space".The right man at the right place.
Despite all these features "The Incredible Shrinking Man"surprise
the audience for is departure from the canons of "sci-fi", where
mutated animals or men unleashed terror, following instead a
philosophical and even religious path.
So this film may disappoint the fanatic, the one who loves the aliens'
deadly rays, atomic animals that break down the city and the hero,
also, with the right idea that saves the life of the planet. And we
admit that this movie little disappointed at first, also because great
things doesn't happen here, but we see the epic story of a man that
must change his point of view.
We Adapt to this story slowly, slowly, minute by minute and then
we must say that "The Incredible Shrinking Man" is a masterpiece, so
appreciated by being chosen for the "National Film Registry" the
library of the United States Congress. We feel a little too
'embarrassed to talk about on this blog of "B Movie". However, while
we're here...
Arnold as seen in "Tarantula" is able to create great special effects,
although some minor trimming occasionally reveals the tricks. But
again, the ineffable Jack manages to make good the gigantism and
dwarfism using, almost a catchphrase, a spider. The narrative view of
the basic philosophy of slips and partly didactic poetry.
The hero is Scott Covey a man that during a boat trip is shrouded in a
cloud. Time passes and Scott note that he is shrinking. The doctors
don't understand, thay seek a cure, but in vain. He shrinks, more and
more, much to live in a house of doll, cared for by his loving wife,
much to begin to consider the family cat as a giant monster. This is an
endless drama and bigger and bigger problems, like the spider in the
basement, where he ends for mistake, or the difficulty of finding food.
But Scott has no problem, because each dimension has a sense in the
meaning of God.
Religious Morality aside, believers or not, this movie is a must. Much
deeper than the title and the poster, had suffered a success and is
still recognized as one of the best films of the genre of the time.
A story that no doubt has inspired many other films someone much more
comical. Between these and more closely tied to the original are "The
Incredible Shrinking Woman" of 1981, directed by Joel Schumacher his
debut on the big screen. Matheson himself wrote a sequel was never
made, while rumors of a remake went around for years and seems that
Universal is working to do it with Eddie Murphy.
Returning to the original we have to say that the "disappearance" of
Covey is more or less similar to that of the actor who plays him.
Despite this huge success, William Grant was unable to stay on top. He
continued his career with minor parts and TV series, before turning to
teaching.
things gone better to Randy Stuart who plays his wife. Randy has been
quite busy actress in the TV series America's success as a cast of
other artists.
Sheet
OriginalTitle: The Incredible Shrinking Man
Alternate Titles: A hihetetlenül zsugorodó ember (Hungary),
De krimpende man (Belgium), Die Geschichte unglaubliche Mr. C de
(Germany), El hombre increible (Venezuela), El hombre increible
menguante (Spain), I skräckens klor (Sweden), Kendi kendine
küçülen adam (Turkey), L'homme qui
rétrécit (France), Manden, der blev mindre (Denmark),
Mannen som skrumpnade, Mies joka kutistui (Finland), O anthropos pou
zarone (Greece), O czlowieku, co Malal (Poland), The Incredible: Man
(Italy)
Year: 1957
Country: USA
Directed by: Jack Arnold
Cast: William Grant, Randy Stuart, April Kent, Paul Langton, Raymond Bailey, William Schallaert, Helene Marshall
Production Company: Universal International Pictures
Length: 81 '