The Incredible Shrinking Man

 

The Incredible Shrinking Man 1957

• Director: Jack Arnold
• Based on the book by Richard Matheson
• Cast: Grant Williams, Randy Stuart
• Why? The book and the memories
• Seen: 24 May 2025                     

 

This film made an enormous impression on me when I saw it as a child. I saw it again some years ago and it was just as good seen through adult eyes.

Scott Carey (Williams) accounts a mysterious mist after which he begins shrinking. And shrinking. And shrinking. Radiation and quantum physics, or something. The scenes in the film I remember most vividly from my childhood viewing is his flight from the cat (as my own little kitty sleeps peacefully next to me on the sofa) and his battle with the spider.

Suspenseful, believable existential. And today I finished reading the book. A great book. But with those strong black and white visuals, the film is even better.

 

4½ * of 5