Dr. Cyclops is a unique film in several regards, having been released in 1940 it's one of the very first (if not the first) Sci-Fi films to be shot in 3-Strip Technicolor, as far as it's special effects go it was certainly an innovative film for it's time (specifically it's "little people" footage), and lastly the highly-excitable music of film maestro Ernst Toch. Special mention must be made regarding the music that's heard during this film's most exciting and distinctively off-kilter of moments - and there are many. Because at the drop of a hat, this film often finds itself bouncing off the walls but in a most delightfully playful and fun-spirited kind of way. This is in large part do to the films eccentric combination of it's numerous processed shots/optical effects, it's oddball scenarios, and a most hyper-active musical score, which has a way of whipping the film into a frenzy of unfettered lunacy and whimsical eccentricities. Ultimately what this all adds up to is a film that's unique in both look and feel or to put it another way, Dr. Cyclops comes off like a live-action cartoon, in TechnicolorUnfortunately... aside from it's obvious strong-points, Dr. Cyclops I'm afraid, is a rather average movie. For instance it's casting (with the exception of Albert Dekker in the title-role) is serviceable at best and it has no "big names" in it's cast. My guess is that most of the films budget went to it's special-effects photography, which surprisingly enough was filmed in Technicolor no less - a prohibitively expensive process at that time. I find the acting of the film is often workman-like in it's mediocre quality, which ranges from the pompous and super-serious Dr. Bulfinch to "Pedro" a modestly effective comic-relief character, then there's Janice Logan as Dr. Mary Robinson and well she simply makes for a very unconvincing scientist. Once you get past the films spectacular opening credits sequence (all that green mist!), Dr. Cyclops starts out rather slowly as it's cast members, one-by-one, are introduced and the movies scientifically-based back-story is laid out. In that respect Dr. Cyclops, like most movies, does get a lot more exciting in the second half which leads to some truly unique and inspired action sequences. Having seen this movie several times over the years, it tends to leave an impression on you (especially if you see it at a young age) and when considering the subject-matter at hand, well... I think the term "live-action cartoon" is a particularly apt description, with what one can expect from this eccentric Hollywood relic from yesteryear, as it is all to often a VERY whimsical affair.If you enjoy Dr. Cyclops you'll probably like "The Incredible Shrinking Man"(1957) as well, as both deal with micronized people, in fact at his smallest The Incredible Shrinking Man stands at a mere 1 inch tall; much smaller than what's seen in Dr. Cyclops. Also "Attack of the Puppet People"(1958) though not as good as the others is also worth checking out. When one weighs this films many merits and innovative nature Dr. Cyclops does indeed seem more worthy than most for the re-make treatment (I typically don't like re-makes) and with Ant-Man making waves recently, the time seems right or "primed" for a lavishly produced re-make of Doctor C; one that dials-up the craziness and is truly and absolutely unhinged.

I had watched this as a kid on a now-defunct Sicilian TV channel, but it seems to have vanished off the face of the Earth in the interim – that is, until the recent DVD release from Universal as part of their second "Sci-Fi Collection". The film was yet another infrequent genre entry from Paramount – after 1931's DR. JEKYLL AND MR. HYDE and the trio from 1933 ISLAND OF LOST SOULS, MURDERS IN THE ZOO and SUPERNATURAL; interestingly, it was a Technicolor production – the first to be shot in this process after Warners' two earlier experiments DOCTOR X (1932) and MYSTERY OF THE WAX MUSEUM (1933). Plot-wise, DR. CYCLOPS was a variation on the "shrinking" theme explored in MGM's THE DEVIL-DOLL (1936) – which proved quite popular over the years, as can be attested by the likes of THE INCREDIBLE SHRINKING MAN (1957), ATTACK OF THE PUPPET PEOPLE (1958), CURSE OF THE DOLL PEOPLE (1961), etc. The titular character – for which underrated character actor Albert Dekker is probably best-remembered and his most notable genre contribution alongside the dual role in AMONG THE LIVING (1941) – would, of course, fit in with the era's virtually interminable parade of mad scientists; though, typically, he means well by his experiments, his approach to science (and his fellow man) is utterly ruthless. Working in seclusion but deterred by his failing sight, he invites three eminent colleagues to confirm his findings without actually divulging the nature of his experiments; when they begin to get curious and decide to stick around, he does not shrink {sic} at the prospect of using them for guinea pigs! Soon enough, they are fighting for their lives – and not just from the wily doctor, as everyday objects become inaccessible (a door-knob) or otherwise take menacing proportions (a cat)!; on the other hand, they take advantage both of their current dimension (hiding in places where Dekker cannot get at them) and the doctor's own physical drawback (breaking the spare sets of lenses, kept handy in a drawer, while he is sleeping). Interestingly, the shrinking process eventually halts and the subjects start reverting to normal size – which is how the heroes, having gotten rid of "Cyclops" in the very well where he stores his all-important ray-gun, are able to return to civilization after several months of 'convalescence'. The handsome-looking film, an entertaining and efficient 76 minutes, makes for a worthy addition to director Schoedsack's genre resume' (which includes seminal titles like THE MOST DANGEROUS GAME {1932} and KING KONG {1933}, notable ones like SHE {1935} and MIGHTY JOE YOUNG {1949}, not to mention the lesser but endearing SON OF KONG {1933}).

Dr. Alexander Thorkel, a scientist working in the Amazon jungle, has discovered the secrets of miniaturization. He invites a group of scientists to assist him, but quickly dismisses them once he gets what he wants from them. Thinking they are spying on him, Dr. Thorkel turns his radium experiment on the group reducing each to about twelve inches in height. In their current and miniaturized state, Dr. Thorkel becomes the least of their worries as they attempt to make their escape through the jungle.As I sat and watched Dr. Cyclops for the first time, the thought kept going through my head, "Wow, these are some great effects for the 50s." It would be an understatement to say that I was shocked after the movie ended and I discovered Dr. Cyclops was made in 1940. The special effects are amazing. Sure, modern audiences who prefer soulless CGI may find the effects poor or even comical, but they represent a real craft and workmanship that you don't see much anymore. There's an art to the kind of rear projection, split-screen, and over-sized props found in Dr. Cyclops. So when you combine these ahead of their time special effects with the bright, vibrant, beautiful Technicolor used in the filming of the movie, I think it's understandable to see why I was surprised to discover Dr. Cyclops was made some 67 years ago.Beyond the effects, Dr. Cyclops moves at a good pace. Although some aspects of the "mini-humans against nature" plot seem cliché today, it held my attention throughout. And, though obviously stage-bound, the sets are more than adequate. On the negative side, the acting is hit or miss at best. While Albert Dekker is more than adequate at playing the subtly sinister title character and Charles Hatton is good as his most capable adversary, Dr. Bullfinch, most of the rest of cast doesn't come across quite so good. I also thought that some of the key plot points were terribly predictable. As an example, from the moment Dr. Thorkel's poor eyesight is made known, is there any doubt this will come into play at some point in the movie? And I can't end this without mentioning the music – it's downright annoying. It's that loopy kind of music I associate with a bad kiddie movie.

This is an awfully entertaining and unique film, though it does seem a bit reminiscent of THE DEVIL DOLL. Both are wonderful films about slightly mad people who have a secret for shrinking people and both excel due to exceptional special effects. However, this movie is one where the mad doctor doesn't actually intend to shrink a group of outsiders--at least not initially. A small group of people trek through the Andes to a very remote region to meet a brilliant scientist who is doing experiments with radium. However, even though they were invited, the doctor soon tells them to get lost!!! The people went through a lot to get there and are understandably irked at the doc. So, because the people refuse to leave and the doc is at heart a real jerk, he decides to use his evil shrink ray to make them all itsy-bitsy (about a pound or so each)! Now so far, the film is pretty interesting and could have degenerated into a lousy B-movie (like in ATTACK OF THE PUPPET PEOPLE). However, decent writing really saved the film. Instead of the little people just running away or trying to save themselves (which they initially do), they decide to stay and fight! This really helped the film and made the shrunken people more 3-dimensional and people you could care about and root for in the film. And all this is done using what were, for the time, exceptional special effects. About the only problem, and boy is it minor, is that at one point an American Aligator attacks the little folks. Sure, they aren't native to South America, but this is such a tiny quibble, who cares?? An entertaining film for kids and adults like me who just haven't chosen to grow up!!