Customer Reviews

The Atomic Man

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The original British title for this sci-fi-flavored murder mystery
was Timeslip, based on the novel The Isotope Man by Charles
Eric Maine, who also gave us Spaceways and The Electronic
Monster. And like them, the science-fiction element here is only
a background for the mystery; in this case, of scientists trying to
achieve alchemy, no less! The atomic man, (called the isotope
man in the movie) who is radioactive and whose image fogs
photographic and X-ray film, exists 7.5 seconds in the future, due
to his death and strange revival, making coherent communication
with him difficult, to say the least! But once communication is
made, he's out of the picture, and the story then becomes a
standard catch-the-bad-guys before they kill again.

Gene Nelson and Faith Domergue give good performances as
wise-cracking, feisty reporters for a news magazine who stumble
onto the isotope man and the mystery and proceed to solve it with
some under-handed ingenuity.

The image quality of this tape is OK, with some streaks and spots.
The sound quality is also OK, with some scratchiness and flutter.
One curious note: right in the middle of the movie a screen
appears, saying "One Moment Please While We Change Reels"!
Evidently a quaint holdover from British cinema in the `50s! And
the box art has a mistake, crediting Gene Nelson as "Gene
Hughes," obviously confusing him with director Ken Hughes!
If you're a Faith Domergue fan (This Island Earth, Cult of the
Cobra, etc.), you'll want to add this relatively little-known film to
your collection!

Although not a good film, this British SF effort (based on a novel by Charles Maine) includes one unique gimmick. The "maguffin" information is hidden 7 1/2 seconds in the future! But the rationale for this development is very flimsy, and it is only a side issue in the plot. Overall a dull film, with good performances from its two stars (both American), Gene Nelson and Faith Domergue.

What a concept...he slipped in time!!

While The Atomic Man is not purely 50's sci-fi, as mentioned in other
reviews, it does provide enough interesting plot twists and thrills to
keep you guessing until the end.

Definitely worth a watch for fans of the genre. I am proud to have this
little seen gem in my collection. Nice story, creepy atmosphere, good
acting and a great score make this one worthwhile!!

Also recommended for fans of little seen 50's type sci-fi are Mutiny in Outer Space, Satellite in the Sky, On the Threshold of Space, The Magnetic Monster and Riders to the Stars.

This is a great movie. I wish it was in color like some of the others FAith Domergue made. Anyway it was well done and is one of Faith's best movies.