The Projected Man (1966)
Directed by Ian Curteis
Starring Bryant Haliday, Mary Peach, Norman Woodlan, Ronald Allen, Derek Farr, Tracey Crips, Derrick De Marney

This was a title that was pretty tough to come across, mainly because it took forever for it to get a release over here in the states. But we all knew the title because it was the second half of a double bill with Island of Terror, which came out the same year. While it is now available on Blu-ray, my first experience with is was from an import DVD release. It was one of those titles that I really wanted to see because I was a fan of the star Bryant Haliday from his roles in Tower of Evil (1972) and Devil Doll (1964), plus the fact that it was one of those (at the time) rare titles I wanted to check off my list.

Unfortunately, the title does hold up as well as one would expect. Haliday plays a scientist on the verge of creating a machine that can transport, or project, an object from one place to another through the use of a laser beam. Yes, it does seem very similar to that of the science in The Fly (1958), where it turns the object into matter, transmits it, then puts it all back together again… but this uses a laser! They have been successful with inanimate objects but can’t seem to figure out something that is alive. For that reason, there is some issues with their funding, not to mention some other sub-plot going on that almost make it sound like a James Bond film. But because he is being rushed to successfully complete the experiment, Haliday uses himself as a guinea pig and of course the results are less than desirable.

You really have to be a fan of British horror films of the early ’60s to enjoy this. And even that might not be enough. It’s not the most exciting or action packed movie. In fact, it’s kind of boring since it takes a while for anything to really get going. As much as I enjoy Haliday from his previous roles, here, he brings a new level of dull to a scientist. While he’s very determined with his work, he doesn’t seem to have much life to his character beyond that. Mary Peach plays a pathologist that is hired to figure out why the animals are dying after they are used in the experiments, which she seems to figure out pretty quickly.

Haliday’s makeup is pretty gruesome when we finally get to see him. I would almost have thought they would have showed it as soon as possible! At least you’d have that going for you.

Director Ian Curteis was fired during the production due to several issues that caused the film to fall behind schedule. Producer John Croydon stepped in to finish the film, but didn’t take the credit because he didn’t want anybody to know there were any “issues” with the film.

If you’re a fan of British horror of that era, and are one of those die-hard fans… then you’ll probably be picking this up, if you haven’t already. Besides those guys, I’m not sure if I would recommend it.