Moviecut—4D Man

source: 4D Man

4D Man

A scientist discovers how to pass through solid matter, but doing so drains the transitter's 'time' and causes premature aging, which can only be reversed by drawing the vitality out of other people. There's not much to the story and the slim science fiction plot is heavily padded with an uninteresting 'lovers triangle' between scientist brothers Tony (James Congdon), Scott (Robert Lansing) and sexy Linda (Lee Meriwether, Miss America 1955). The '4D' effects are run-of-the-mill but the spontaneous aging makeup is quite well done. The film has the look of a 'hip' 1960's TV show, an impression not helped by the invasive (and after a while tiresome) jazz score or the cast, many of whom went on to TV careers. The ending is flat and unsatisfying.

4D MAN is an enjoyable sci-fi B-movie of the late 1950s that reminded me of THE FLY in terms of set up. It's also similar to the Lon Chaney Jr. B-flick THE INDESTRUCTIBLE MAN but a LOT better than that. A couple of scientist brothers are experimenting with matter when one gets the ability to move through solid objects; unfortunately one side effect is to turn him homicidal. The "psychic vampire" style scenes are well handled here and the film is surprisingly modern-looking, with full colour photography throughout and dated but amusing special effects. The cast feel invested in their roles and there's plenty of drama to boot.

I saw this movie when it first appeared in theaters. I was 12 years old and a fan of the ilk. However, the methods used for special effects in that era always seemed so obvious. This movie was a novel experience: I could not imagine how the effects were done. My only reservation was that they talked of slipping through the fourth dimension AND speeding up the natural process by which an object might slowly penetrate another. These are two different ideas. The second scenario accounts for the "horror" of the movie as people are rapidly aged. It was an unforgettable film. I would like to see it now and determine whether it holds up as well as my memory of it.

I didn't have very high expectations for 4D man and when I started to watch it, the jazz music playing started to confirm my fears right at the start of the film. It really got the movie started off on the wrong foot. Other than the music, I must admit that it was a pretty good sci-fi movie. The acting was good, film quality good, very nice special effects and an unusual sci-fi plot. If I didn't know any better, I would have thought that this movie was made in the mid 1960s and not 1959. It's my opinion that 4D Man is probably a little underrated as a 50s sci-fi, horror flick and should get more attention. Don't expect too much though. I wouldn't go as far as calling it a classic, but I think it's still a pretty good movie and is well worth watching. Let the 4D Man come through the wall for you. I don't think you will be disappointed.

Wow, I searched for years to get this on DVD. I first saw it back in High School on one of those midnight horror shows in Australia (Deadly Earnest was the host...anyone from Australia remember him??). I remember being obsessed with the walking through walls special effect, the way in which bits of his clothing would appear first, then the rest of him. It's funny how a film can stay with you from childhood. The day I got the DVD, I was stoked. Not the greatest film ever made, but I am a die hard fan. I admit to being surprised by the score, very jazzy for such a dark story. I thought Robert Lansing and the rest of the cast were cool. They gave some considerable depth to what was after all very much a 'B' movie. Check it out!