IMDb RATING
6.4/10
2.9K
YOUR RATING
A mad scientist working in the South American jungle miniaturizes his colleagues when he feels his megalomania is threatened.A mad scientist working in the South American jungle miniaturizes his colleagues when he feels his megalomania is threatened.A mad scientist working in the South American jungle miniaturizes his colleagues when he feels his megalomania is threatened.
- Nominated for 1 Oscar
- 2 nominations total
- Director
- Writers
- Tom Kilpatrick
- Malcolm Stuart Boylan(uncredited)
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThe first science fiction film to be shot in three-strip Technicolor.
- GoofsThe fire in the cave is clearly in proportion to the miniature people, rather than to the rest of the natural world.
- Quotes
Dr. Alexander Thorkel: Strange how absorbed man has been in the size of things!
- Crazy creditsThe Paramount logo has a flashing green mist over it just before the main titles (which also have it).
- Alternate versionsThe scene where Dr. Thorkel murders Dr. Mendoza is missing from many TV prints.
- ConnectionsEdited into Attack of the 50 Foot Monster Mania (1999)
Featured review
Great Special Effects!
"Dr. Cyclops" was an unusual horror film for its time. It did not use any major stars and was shot in glorious technicolor (unheard of for a film of this type). The plot is a typical "B" movie plot but the special effects and the color photography are what really sets this film apart.
The story involves "Mad Scientist" Dr. Thorkel (Albert Dekker) who summons three scientists (Thomas Coley, Janice Logan, Charles Halton) to his remote South American laboratory to seek their advice on his secret project. Along the way they are forced to bring muleskinner (Victor Kilian) along.
It turns out that the evil doctor has discovered the secret of miniaturization. To prevent them from cashing in on his discovery Thorkel shrinks the three scientists, the muleskinner and nosey local Pedro (Frank Yaconelli) to miniscule size. The rest of the film chronicles their efforts to escape.
The real star of the film are its special effects. Accomplished through a combination of split-screen, rear projection, miniatures and over sized props, the effects are quite convincing for the time. One shot I thought was quite well done was a scene where the evil doctor picks up one of his victims in his hand.
Because most of the budget was spent on color and effects, the quality of the acting suffers. Dekker does OK as the title character (a name given him by his victims because of his failing eyesight). The others are just barely adequate. Veteran Paul Fix, who could have raised the acting up a level, appeared briefly in the opening reel as Thorkel's sceptical assistant.
The story involves "Mad Scientist" Dr. Thorkel (Albert Dekker) who summons three scientists (Thomas Coley, Janice Logan, Charles Halton) to his remote South American laboratory to seek their advice on his secret project. Along the way they are forced to bring muleskinner (Victor Kilian) along.
It turns out that the evil doctor has discovered the secret of miniaturization. To prevent them from cashing in on his discovery Thorkel shrinks the three scientists, the muleskinner and nosey local Pedro (Frank Yaconelli) to miniscule size. The rest of the film chronicles their efforts to escape.
The real star of the film are its special effects. Accomplished through a combination of split-screen, rear projection, miniatures and over sized props, the effects are quite convincing for the time. One shot I thought was quite well done was a scene where the evil doctor picks up one of his victims in his hand.
Because most of the budget was spent on color and effects, the quality of the acting suffers. Dekker does OK as the title character (a name given him by his victims because of his failing eyesight). The others are just barely adequate. Veteran Paul Fix, who could have raised the acting up a level, appeared briefly in the opening reel as Thorkel's sceptical assistant.
helpful•332
- bsmith5552
- Jul 30, 2002
- How long is Dr. Cyclops?Powered by Alexa
Details
- Runtime1 hour 17 minutes
- Aspect ratio
- 1.37 : 1
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