John T. Ryan BEING ONE OF the many sci-fi films that we've long heard about, but never viewed, DR. CYCLOPS (Paramount, 1940), finally came our way recently.THANKS TO PEOPLE such as Forrest J. Ackerman and his FAMOUS MONSTERS OF FILMLAND and other similar periodicals*, the be-speckled Doc had attained a truly legendary status. With an ample supply of movie stills to accompany an equally prodigious amount of prose, we were given about as much knowledge of the movie as we could have; that is, without having screened the same product.AND JUST WHAT was the result of all of this flowery praise? Well, DR. CYCLOPS had become a legend in the annals of the Sci-Fi flick. This status would have to stand the scrutiny of our own eyeballing to see if it is truly deserved.HAVING TO LIVE up such a reputation would seem to be quite difficult, to say the least; if not neigh well impossible. To be completely fair, we must view things through our magical prism of time. So, let's do kit.AS FOR THE area of Special Effects, we can't really knock the film too much. There are many a classic scene that hold up very well; from this bygone era, from so long before the introduction of computer generated imagery. Hence, all of the shots of Mr. Albert Dekker (Doc Cyclops) in conflict with his shrunken protagonists, form the bulk of the storyline. In here lies the rub.THERE NEVER SEEMS to be a solid and cinematically sound storyline. It is almost as if we are viewing just so many interesting photos in a slide show; with little connection and continuity between them.AS FOR THE sets and color, the studio back lot and the designed sets, for the most part, aren't as convincing. The color work seems to be just a tad below standard.AS A CURIO AND Sci-Fi film milestone, DR. CYCLOPS will always have a fond place in our hearts. Let's just stop worshiping at its altar.NOTE: There were other notable publications, such as: Castle of Frankenstein, Scrreen Thrills Illustrated and Flashback (2 issues only).

Woodyanders Brilliant, but deranged physicist Dr. Alexander Thorkel (splendidly played with deliciously wicked relish by Albert Dekker) shrinks his enemies down to miniature size after they take him to task for his unconventional experiments. Director Ernest Schoedsack, working from a taut and engrossing story by Tom Kilpatrick, relates the gripping story at a brisk pace, maintains a generally serious tone throughout, and builds a good deal of suspense and momentum. The bald, burly, and bespectacled Thorkel makes for a marvelously ruthless, haughty, and sinister mad scientist. While Dekker clearly dominates the movie with his sterling performance, his co-stars nonetheless do respectable work in their roles: Charles Halton registers strongly as Torkel's most gutsy and vehement opponent Dr. Rupert Bulfinch, Thomas Coley is likable enough as handsome layabout Bill Stockton, the lovely Janice Logan impresses as the feisty and resourceful Dr. Mary Robinson (and looks quite fetching in her purple toga), and Victor Kilian contributes a solid turn as gruff trail guide Steve Baker. The scenes with the tiny people fending off giant animals and fighting back against Thorkel are extremely tense and exciting. The nifty special effects hold up quite well. Henry Sharp's vivid Technicolor cinematography gives the picture a pleasingly vibrant look. The robust and rousing score by Gerard Carbonara, Ernst Toch, and Albert Hay hits the stirring spot. The tight 77 minute running time ensures that this movie never gets dull or overstays its welcome. An immensely fun film.

bensonmum2 Dr. Alexander Thorkel, a scientist working in the Amazon jungle, has discovered the secrets of miniaturization. He invites a group of scientists to assist him, but quickly dismisses them once he gets what he wants from them. Thinking they are spying on him, Dr. Thorkel turns his radium experiment on the group reducing each to about twelve inches in height. In their current and miniaturized state, Dr. Thorkel becomes the least of their worries as they attempt to make their escape through the jungle.As I sat and watched Dr. Cyclops for the first time, the thought kept going through my head, "Wow, these are some great effects for the 50s." It would be an understatement to say that I was shocked after the movie ended and I discovered Dr. Cyclops was made in 1940. The special effects are amazing. Sure, modern audiences who prefer soulless CGI may find the effects poor or even comical, but they represent a real craft and workmanship that you don't see much anymore. There's an art to the kind of rear projection, split-screen, and over-sized props found in Dr. Cyclops. So when you combine these ahead of their time special effects with the bright, vibrant, beautiful Technicolor used in the filming of the movie, I think it's understandable to see why I was surprised to discover Dr. Cyclops was made some 67 years ago.Beyond the effects, Dr. Cyclops moves at a good pace. Although some aspects of the "mini-humans against nature" plot seem cliché today, it held my attention throughout. And, though obviously stage-bound, the sets are more than adequate. On the negative side, the acting is hit or miss at best. While Albert Dekker is more than adequate at playing the subtly sinister title character and Charles Hatton is good as his most capable adversary, Dr. Bullfinch, most of the rest of cast doesn't come across quite so good. I also thought that some of the key plot points were terribly predictable. As an example, from the moment Dr. Thorkel's poor eyesight is made known, is there any doubt this will come into play at some point in the movie? And I can't end this without mentioning the music – it's downright annoying. It's that loopy kind of music I associate with a bad kiddie movie.

MartinHafer This is an awfully entertaining and unique film, though it does seem a bit reminiscent of THE DEVIL DOLL. Both are wonderful films about slightly mad people who have a secret for shrinking people and both excel due to exceptional special effects. However, this movie is one where the mad doctor doesn't actually intend to shrink a group of outsiders--at least not initially. A small group of people trek through the Andes to a very remote region to meet a brilliant scientist who is doing experiments with radium. However, even though they were invited, the doctor soon tells them to get lost!!! The people went through a lot to get there and are understandably irked at the doc. So, because the people refuse to leave and the doc is at heart a real jerk, he decides to use his evil shrink ray to make them all itsy-bitsy (about a pound or so each)! Now so far, the film is pretty interesting and could have degenerated into a lousy B-movie (like in ATTACK OF THE PUPPET PEOPLE). However, decent writing really saved the film. Instead of the little people just running away or trying to save themselves (which they initially do), they decide to stay and fight! This really helped the film and made the shrunken people more 3-dimensional and people you could care about and root for in the film. And all this is done using what were, for the time, exceptional special effects. About the only problem, and boy is it minor, is that at one point an American Aligator attacks the little folks. Sure, they aren't native to South America, but this is such a tiny quibble, who cares?? An entertaining film for kids and adults like me who just haven't chosen to grow up!!