Attack of the Puppet People (1958)Lonely, deranged puppet-master designs a machine that shrinks people. Director:Bert I. Gordon |
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Attack of the Puppet People (1958)Lonely, deranged puppet-master designs a machine that shrinks people. Director:Bert I. Gordon |
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| Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
| John Agar | ... |
Bob Westley
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| John Hoyt | ... |
Mr. Franz
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June Kenney | ... |
Sally Reynolds
(as June Kenny)
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Susan Gordon | ... |
Agnes
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Michael Mark | ... |
Emil
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Jack Kosslyn | ... |
Sgt. Paterson
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Marlene Willis | ... |
Laurie /
Themesong Vocalist
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Ken Miller | ... |
Stan
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Laurie Mitchell | ... |
Georgia Lane
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Scott Peters | ... |
Mac
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June Jocelyn | ... |
Brownie Leader
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Jean Moorhead | ... |
Janet Hall
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Hank Patterson | ... |
Janitor
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Hal Bogart | ... |
Special Delivery Man
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Troy Patterson | ... |
Elevator Operator
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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. Written by Jean-Marc Rocher <rocher@fiberbit.net>
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".