Thursday, May 2, 2013

The Incredible Shrinking Man

Last weekend, TCM ran the 1957 sci-fi classic, The Incredible Shrinking Man. I recorded it and finally got around to watching it.

I was 7 or maybe 8 years old when I first saw this movie.I was amazed and terrorized me all at the same time. It's also where my abject fear of spiders came from.

The story begins with young couple, Louise and Scott on a boat enjoying their vacation. While Louise goes to the galley to get beers, a strange cloud passes over the boat and covers Scott with a sparkly mist. No, he's not a new age vampire! Some time passes and Scott discovers his clothes don't fit him anymore. Louise tells him he's losing a little weight. Not only is Scott losing weight, but height as well. A trip to the doctor, and more doctors, and endless series of tests, doesn't provide any answers. Scott is still shrinking. For his safety, he lives inside a dollhouse until the family pet turns from cuddly kitty into a vicious monster. Scott races for the cellar door for safety and then is plunged into the depths of a box in the basement. In the basement world, Scott fights for survival as he faces dun, dun, dun, the spider. (I can't look but I cheer Scott on). All the while Scott is still shrinking as he tries to come to terms with his life.

There are just some films that stay with you no matter how many times you've seen them. This is one of them. Though the special effects may seem a little dated, the story holds up well for entertainment and as a beautiful allegory.  If you haven't seen this movie, you need to get yourself edumucated. Sadly, it's not available on Netflix streaming, but c'mon over as the movie is still on the DVR. We can watch together. Just don't mind me as I scream during the spider scenes.

Are you terrified of spiders?

5 comments:

  1. Not spiders so much, but I seriously don't care for snakes.

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  2. The movie that scared me the most growing up was "Invaders From Mars". The Martians land on Earth and proceed to ‘take over’. The only way you can tell if people are one of ‘them’ is by two dots on the back of their neck. I stared at my parents necks for weeks after seeing that movie! LOL

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  3. I'm not too crazy about snakes, either, Sandra

    Oh, I think I remember that movie, Robin. Looking for dots on your parents' necks. Too funny!

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  4. I AM terrified of spiders! I haven't seen this movie, though, and now I really want to! Thanks!

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  5. It's a real classic, Jill. The spider scenes will have you singing arias. At least, that's what I do when the spider is on screen

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