The first Technicolor horror film since Mystery of the Wax Museum, Dr. Cyclops is directed by Ernest Schoedsack (best known for King Kong).
Albert Dekker plays the mad scientist Dr. Thorkel, who has developed a process to shrink human beings. His first victims include mining engineers Bill Stockton (Thomas Coley) and Steve Baker (Victor Kilian) and biologists Mary Mitchell (Janice Logan) and Dr. Bullfinch (Charles Halton).
After pretending to care for his miniaturized captives, Thorkel reveals his sinister personality by murdering Bullfinch in cold blood.
The ensuing tale depicts the escape efforts of the three pint-sized individuals through a jungle of gigantic foliage and battle with oversized wildlife.
The special effects, which were Oscar-nominated, are the best thing in the film.
Oscar Nominations: 1
Special Effects: Farciot Edouart and Gordon Jennings, photographic
Oscar Awards: None
Oscar Context:
The winner of the Special Effects Oscar was The Thief of Bagdad.
Running time: 76 minutes.
Directed by Ernest B. Schoedsack
Written by Tom Kilpatrick
DVD: May 13, 2008
