Attack of the Puppet People (1958)

Lonely, deranged puppet-master designs a machine that shrinks people.

Director:

Bert I. Gordon

Writers:

George Worthing Yates (screenplay), Bert I. Gordon (story)

Stars:

John Agar, John Hoyt, June Kenney

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
John Agar	...	Bob Westley
John Hoyt	...	Mr. Franz
June Kenney	...	Sally Reynolds (as June Kenny)
Susan Gordon	...	Agnes
Michael Mark	...	Emil
Jack Kosslyn	...	Sgt. Paterson
Marlene Willis	...	Laurie / Themesong Vocalist
Ken Miller	...	Stan
Laurie Mitchell	...	Georgia Lane
Scott Peters	...	Mac
June Jocelyn	...	Brownie Leader
Jean Moorhead	...	Janet Hall
Hank Patterson	...	Janitor
Hal Bogart	...	Special Delivery Man
Troy Patterson	...	Elevator Operator

Storyline

Deranged doll-maker Mr. Franz is deathly afraid of being left alone, so he creates a machine that can shrink humans down to only a few inches tall. He soon accumulates a troupe of shrunken prisoners whom he forces to perform for him and keep him company. When he shrinks his secretary Sally and her fiance Bob, the pair decide against spending their days as pint-sized playthings and try to find a way to escape and re-enlarge themselves.

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Plot Keywords:

doll maker | secretary | laboratory | swing dancing | want ad | 

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Taglines:

Terror Comes In Small Packages!

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Genres:

Sci-Fi | Horror

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Official Sites:

MGM Studios [us]

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

April 1958 (USA)

Also Known As:

I Was a Teenage Doll

Company Credits

Production Co:

Alta Vista Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

79 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Ryder Sound Services)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Director Bert I. Gordon's real life daughter, Susan Gordon, was a last minute substitute for another girl actress who was ill and unable to work.

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Goofs

When Franz goes from the front room to the rear, he exits on the left side of the doorway, as viewed from the front room. When the shot immediately cuts to the rear room, he's shown entering on the opposite side of the doorway.

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Connections

Remake of The Devil-Doll (1936)

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Soundtracks

"You're My Living Doll"
Music by Albert Glasser and Don A. Ferris (as Don Ferris)
Lyrics by Henry Schrage
Sung by Marlene Willis

User Reviews

Welcome to Mr. BIG's Dollhouse!

Yes, welcome to another cheerfully inept Bert I. Gordon (B.I.G) Sci-Fi/horror romp, in which the silliness usually triumphs over adequate scripting and where the special effects look cheaper than half a handful of pennies. "Attack of the Puppet People" is a thoroughly shameless cash-in on the success of "The Incredible Shrinking Man", but in this light-headed story there's no room for building up claustrophobic atmosphere, let alone the preaching of philosophical messages. It's a fun and charming little movie, but totally lacking depth, credibility and a proper elaboration of the basic premise. John Hoyt stars as a brilliant doll maker slash inventor of shrinking equipment (rather unusual combination, but okay), but he's very lonely and emotionally frustrated since his beloved wife walked out on him once, several years ago. So now, he uses his magic, invisible ray projecting devise to miniaturize the people he risks losing, like his cute secretary Sally and her fiancé Bob. Mr. Franz keeps his little friends asleep in tubes, but also does his best to entertain them with tiny dance parties, the newest Barbie & Ken outfits and even trips to the 'Jekyl & Hyde' marionette-theater. The 'attack' referred to in the title is quite inaccurate, as the little folks don't attack anyone (with the exception of a lifeless Dr. Jekyll marionette) but they do want to escape and regain their normal previous measurements. "Attack of the Puppet People" is a fairly forgettable and poor film, but it's slightly better and more stylish than most of the things B.I.G accomplished and at least it's never boring. Hoyt is fine as the pitiable & awkward old toymaker, but the supportive cast is too underdeveloped and bleak. If anything, this is an insignificant but pleasant 50's gem with some funny highlights, like the marionette-fight and one of the shrunken gals quacking the cheesy theme song "I'm your living Doll".