4D Man

Infobox Film
name = 4D Man


image_size =
caption = 4D Man DVD cover
director = Irvin S. Yeaworth Jr.
producer = Jack H. Harris
writer = Jack H. Harris
narrator =
starring = Robert Lansing
Lee Meriwether
James Congdon
music = Ralph Carmichael
cinematography = Theodore J. Pahle
editing = William B. Murphy
distributor =
released = flagicon|USA October 7, 1959
runtime = 85 min
country = USA
language = English
budget =
preceded_by =
followed_by =
website =
amg_id = 1:267
imdb_id = 0052530

"4D Man" (also questionably known as "The Evil Force" and reissued as "Master of Terror") is a 1959 American science fiction film, produced by Jack H. Harris from his own original screenplay and directed by Irvin S. Yeaworth Jr.. It was an independent production filmed around Valley Forge, Pennsylvania.

Plot Summary

Brilliant but irresponsible scientist Tony Nelson (portrayed by James Congdon) develops an amplifier that allows any object to achieve a 4th dimensional state. While in this state that object can pass freely through any other object. Currently unemployed after burning down a college lab, Tony seeks out his brother Scott (Robert Lansing), a researcher working on a material called Cargonite that is so dense as to be impenetrable, with his experiment. Scott is underpaid and underappreciated at his job but doesn't have the drive to challenge his employer for greater recognition. When his girlfriend (Lee Meriwether) falls for Tony an enraged Scott steals Tony's experiment and starts playing with it eventually sending himself into a 4th dimensional state. When he explains this to Tony he learns that the amplifier was not functioning at the time meaning Scott entered the 4D state via his own will. While in the 4D state Scott can pass through any solid object. The downside is that while in the 4D state Scott uses up his life at an accelerated rate. To survive he must replenish his lifeforce by taking it from others by passing through them. Scott starts using his new found power to acquire all the things he felt he was denied; money, recognition, power and the love of his girlfriend. Tony realizes from the nature of the crimes that the only possible explanation is that Scott is on a rampage with his 4D abilities and somehow Tony has to find a way to stop a man who is literally unstoppable.

Trivia

Unfortunately, many of the scenic countryside sites seen in the "4D Man" film have since been asphalted under as shopping malls and housing developments. The area near Valley Forge Studios was a burgeoning film area from the early days of filmmaking. In the 1950s, a live-action Western nationally live broadcast television series was shot in nearby Bala Cynwyd, Pennsylvania, (titled "Action in the Afternoon") at a network affiliate TV studio. An entire Montana pioneer town was recreated there (now lost under asphalt). Valley Forge was also the home of an early silent film production company, the historic Lubin Film Studios (complete with backlot). This landmark artifact of early film history—located next to the Valley Forge Revolutionary War site—was saved from the wrecking ball and is now an upscale office complex.

External links

* [http://www.dvdtalk.com/dvdsavant/s109fourd.html DVD Savant Review: 4D Man, by Glen Erickson]