THE INCREDIBLE SHRINKING MAN (1957)

• Director: Jack Arnold
• Starring: Grant Williams, Randy Stuart, April Kent, Paul Langton
• Release date: 1957
• Running time: 81mins
• Members Bar: Doors 7pm | Intro 7:30pm | Film 7:45pm [18+ only]

“A FASCINATING ADVENTURE INTO THE UNKNOWN!”

Scott Carey begins to shrink after exposure to a dangerous cocktail of radiation and insecticide, but medical science is powerless to help him.

THE INCREDIBLE SHRINKING MAN (1957) was adapted for the screen by celebrated science fiction writer Richard Matheson (I Am Legend) from his own novel. Directed by Jack Arnold – a pioneering but problematic filmmaker responsible for some of the 1950s’ most iconic titles (IT CAME FROM OUTER SPACE, CREATURE FROM THE BLACK LAGOON) – it is widely regarded as one of the finest science fiction films of all time.

Like many sci-fi greats, the story is handled with utter seriousness, deploying inventive special effects, restrained acting, and a lean runtime to exploit atomic-era paranoia. Rather than depict the ‘shock and awe’ of a direct nuclear strike, THE INCREDIBLE SHRINKING MAN deals with the lingering consequences of nuclear fallout. The film’s ending is as remarkable a piece of speculative cinema as the ‘star child’ climax to Stanley Kubrick’s 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY (1968).

Modestly successful amidst the swarm of 1950s sci-fi releases, the film’s reputation has grown exponentially ever since. In 2009, THE INCREDIBLE SHRINKING MAN was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress as being “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant.” Now, it too will last forever…

Polite notice: We are showing THE INCREDIBLE SHRINKING MAN (1957) with English subtitles from the best available digital source. The film features contemplation of suicide, and depictions of dwarfism that some might find offensive.

Part of ATOMIC ORIGINS, an apocalyptic season of sci-fi films unleashed by the monstrous power of the atom bomb. Hosted by queer film fanatic Token Homo (creator of BAR TRASH and QUEER HORROR NIGHTS), all films screen in the Members’ Bar with an introduction, intermission, and subtitles/captions (where possible!). Tickets £8 (£5 for Picturehouse members). Adults 18+ only. Follow @tokenhomo on Instagram for news and updates.