The Time Travelers (1964)

In 1964, a group of scientists create a portal that takes them to a barren, mutant inhabited, Earth in the year 2071.

Director:

Ib Melchior

Writers:

Ib Melchior (screenplay), Ib Melchior (story)

Stars:

Preston Foster, Philip Carey, Merry Anders

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Preston Foster	...	Dr. Erik von Steiner
Philip Carey	...	Steve Connors
Merry Anders	...	Carol White
John Hoyt	...	Varno
Dennis Patrick	...	Councilman Willard
Joan Woodbury	...	Gadra
Delores Wells	...	Reena
Steve Franken	...	Danny McKee
Berry Kroeger	...	Preston
Gloria Leslie	...	Councilwoman
Molly Glessing	...	Android
Peter Strudwick	...	The Mutant
J. Edward McKinley	...	Raymond
Margaret Seldeen	...	Miss Hollister
Forrest J. Ackerman	...	Square-frame technician

Storyline

In 1964, a team of scientists is trying to develop a view screen into the future. What they in fact get is a portal and they soon find themselves on the other side, 107 years into the future in the year 2071, when the portal collapses. The Earth of the future is barren and they are soon attacked by mutated humans but rescued by a group of scientists who are building a spaceship to take them to a new planet. They learn that much of Earth was destroyed as the result of a nuclear war. When it's determined that the visitors from the past cannot be included in the planned voyage, they work furiously to rebuild the portal and return to their own time before departure day. Meanwhile, always under the threat of attack from the mutants , friendships are formed and they learn of life in the future including the use of robots for menial tasks.

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Plot Keywords:

psychotronic film | mutant | year 2071 | post thermonuclear war | nuclear explosion | 

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Taglines:

Step Through "The Time Portal" beyond the crack in Space and Time where the fantastic world of the Future will freeze your blood with its weird horrors!

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Genres:

Sci-Fi

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Certificate:

Approved

Did You Know?

Trivia

At the time he did his cameo in this film, Forrest J Ackerman was the editor of the magazine "Famous Monsters of Filmland." As expected, this film received extensive coverage in his magazine.

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Goofs

When the four 1960 earthlings return to their lab to find themselves frozen in time, the frozen Steve Franken blinks his left eye.

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Quotes

Councilman Willard: We must consider the greater good. I must do what I think is right.
Dr. Steve Connors: And what about us?
Councilman Willard: Nobody invited you here.
Dr. Erik von Steiner: At least give us a chance to try to find a solution.
Councilman Willard: It's impossible!
Dr. Steve Connors: Until you have tried and failed, nothing is impossible!

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Connections

Referenced in The Chronic Rift: Time Loop-de-Loops (2018)

User Reviews

Has its moments

An aged and out of shape Preston Foster leads a small group of scientists through a time portal into a future where nuclear war has decimated the Earth and the few humans left are holed up in a mountain stronghold. Outside, hostile mutants roam the arid wasteland. The concept is fine, and the acting passable, but the cardboard sets are from hunger. Irwin Allen, never one to pass up an opportunity, stole the basic elements of this Ib Melchior movie for his "Time Tunnel" TV show. It also appears to have strongly influenced certain "Star Trek" episodes. The main reason to watch this moldy oldie is to see the lovely Merry Anders wearing skintight jumpsuits and also doing a nude shower scene. Several other undressed and semi-dressed Hollywood starlets are in the shower scene with her. Shot in color, which is a good thing, and a pretty decent musical score helps a lot. Worth a look for what passed for a sci-fi flick in 1965. Big changes in the genre were only a few years off, of course..

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

29 October 1964 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Time Travelers

Filming Locations:

Alpha Omega Studios - 821 Glendale Avenue, Glendale, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$250,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Cal Cine, Dobil Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

82 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Pathécolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1