Science Fiction Double Feature: The Human Vapor Vs 4D Man

[@JohnMinehan-lx9ts]

Robert Lansing was an underappreciated actor. 87th Precinct, Custer on a memorable story arc (as it is now called) on Branded, and The Man Who Never Was.

[@terrytalksmovies]

He was always intense which might've stereotyped him a bit, but a solid actor.

[@JohnMinehan-lx9ts]

@@terrytalksmovies I forgot 12 O'Clock High, I thought he did well with BGen Savage as a weekly TV show character, made him less intense and unsympathetic than Peck.

[@JohnMinehan-lx9ts]

@@terrytalksmovies I forgot 12 O'Clock High, I thought he did well with BGen Savage as a weekly TV show character, made him less intense and unsympathetic than Peck.

[@jamescooper944]

The love interest killed the monster? Beauty has been killing the beast since 1933!

[@terrytalksmovies]

Fay Wray didn't kill King Kong. His obsession with her did. That arsehole blamed the victim.

[@Gazebo48]

The Human Vapor is a very good watch for all the reasons you cited, Terry. Honda was as comfortable directing family dramas as he was with tokusatsu and I think it's not a coincidence that he frequently included newspaper reporters, often women, as supporting actors in his movies using them as audience surrogates. His efforts to give ordinary people voices in his movies is part of what elevated his special effects films above the majority of science fiction movies of his era

[@terrytalksmovies]

Definitely, the strength of the characters enhances the peril of the monsters. If they feel realistic, we care.

[@jamestaylor3811]

4D Man is a cracking movie with remarkably impressive effects for the late 1950s. I haven't seen The Human Vapor but it definitely intrigues me.

[@terrytalksmovies]

The Human Vapor is definitely worth tracking down.

[@thomasrednour8857]

"Cousins, identical cousins" - perhaps the silliest idea for a TV show in the glorious 60s. Starring Patty Duke as Patty/Cathy (the cousin from England) on (surprise) The Patty Duke Show.

[@terrytalksmovies]

Yep. The theme song is a banger, though.

[@kaboombox1581]

…and now I can’t stop singing that song.

[@Torgo-and-the-Lucifer-Cat]

​@kaboombox1581 do you like to rock and roll? Does a hotdog make you lose control??😂

[@terencemorales7894]

I've seen and enjoyed the 4D Man movie a couple times, but The Human Vapor is a new one for me. I'm going to add that one to my ever growing list of excellent movie recommendations from you. Thanks and please keep up the good work!

[@terrytalksmovies]

My pleasure, Terence. Thanks for the support.

[@MISHKINPUSH]

As a kid, I always enjoyed the 4D Man. It has a great soundtrack and Robert Lansing is fun to watch. I like the clip you showed of the first experiment. I always find myself wishing you would show more clips, but I know there are restrictions. I never heard of the Human Vapor and will definitely seek it out. This was a great pairing of movies! Thanks for another fun video.

[@terrytalksmovies]

My pleasure. Balancing the clips is a difficult task at times. I want to be fair to the viewers and the copyright holders but it's not always easy. 😀

[@jeffmartin1026]

Friday Night SFDF for those of us on the East Coast in the U.S. I'm a big fan of 4D Man but I will definitely look for The Human Vapor this weekend! I love your hat!!

[@terrytalksmovies]

Thanks. The hat speaks the truth. 😉😀

[@rgmax6205]

Haven’t seen 4D Man since the early 70s but remember it as a decent film. The Human Vapor I’ve never heard of but looks very interesting. Going to watch both , thanks for digging these up. Fantastic job as usual!

[@terrytalksmovies]

It's always a pleasure. Glad you liked the video.

[@frankmccormick5499]

"4D Man" was produced and directed by the folks who did the original 1958 version of "The Blob", hence the the same "The End?" finale. How do I know this? Scenes from both movies were filmed in my hometown of West Chester, PA, USA. (The clock tower at the beginning of 4D is the Chester County Courthouse and the grocery store sequence in The Blob was at what was an Acme Market in the West Goshen Shopping Center. The Fire Chief was my father's Best Man.)

[@terrytalksmovies]

Wow. Two degrees of separation!

[@Nedski42YT]

I don't think I've ever heard of The Human Vapor. I found it on the Internet Archive so I will watch it soon. I would double feature it with another Ishiro Honda movie The H-Man. These have some similarities in they are both set in contemporary Japan of the late 1950's. They both also have the police procedural aspect searching for a man who can't be seen.

[@terrytalksmovies]

The H Man isn't as good as The Human Vapor. It's fun but not as complex and interesting.

[@themagus5906]

"The H-Man" sucked and isn't even worth watching. Honda at his worst. It was like Cronenberg making a film about gynecology as a religion.

[@captlazer5509]

Robert Lansing had quite an acting career in television. As Mr 7, in the original Star Trek, sticks out for me. 4D Man, I haven't seen in ages. Might be time to look it up.

[@terrytalksmovies]

He had a certain taciturn style about him.

[@themagus5906]

@@terrytalksmovies Always loved Lansing. He was always so deadpan. He was always cast as the "very serious" guy in a screenplay. Wasn't 4D Man made at Valley Forge Film Studios by the same crew who made "The Blob"? I have the DVD but haven't watched it in a while.

[@adambenton9673]

Human Vapor is definitely on my agenda for the weekend🤘

[@terrytalksmovies]

You can't go wrong with it.

[@denniskristos3800]

EXCELLENT breakdown, Terry... Last year for the first time, I watched the "4D Man" on Me-TV's Svengoolie. I too thought it for what it was and at the budget it was made, impressive. I was a Robert Lansing fan from way back in the day so that movie was a must-see. The Japanese cut of "The Human Vapor", however appealed on a much higher level and for all the reasons you state here. I found Yoshio Tsuchiya's turn as 'Mizuno' and Kaoru Yachigusa as 'Fujichiyo Kasuga' were outstanding and the relationship between them, grounded and relatable, making for the film's surprising impactful and satisfying end. During the last 20 years or so, I've been jonesing for a legit physical media release (Blu-ray or DVD for that matter ), the Japanese cut of "The Human Vapor". Hmm, anybody at Mill Creek, Arrow, [Imprint], Umbrella or Eureka! listening...? ~ "Most actors get comfortable with a certain genre, and they stick to that. But as far as I was concerned, it was equally prestigious to appear in science-fiction films or in Kurosawa movies." - Yoshio Tsuchiya Tsuchiya was a staple on Toho's and Toei's golden and silver age soundstages. Among his other roles in their Kaiju and Tokusatsu films: The Leader of "The Mysterians", the invading Natals' brainwashed dupe, 'Iwomura' in "Battle In Outer Space", 'Detective Taguchi' in "The H-Man", 'Kasai', the boat owner in "Matango" ("Attack Of The Mushroom People"), "Invasion Of Astro Monster"'s ("Monster Zero") 'Planet-X Controller', 'Furikawa' in "Son Of Godzilla", 'Dr. Otani' in "Destroy All Monsters", Dr. Kiyochi Mida' in "Space Amoeba", 'Dr. Mizuno' in "Teito Taisen" ("Tokyo: The Last War") and industrial magnate, 'Yasuaki Shindo' in "Godzilla vs King Ghidorah".

[@terrytalksmovies]

TBH the acting in The Human Vapor was really solid and grounded by all the players. No exaggerations, just solid character building. That lifted the work above some of the others of the era.

[@willcorlett7630]

Another good video, featuring another pair of lesser known movies, thanks. Of the two I always preferred the Human Vapour, it has a quirky feel and perhaps takes itself more seriously when putting the story accross, but both are worth watching.

[@terrytalksmovies]

I agree with the analysis. The Human Vapor is somethign special.

[@brettcoster4781]

Great presentation of 2 movies I've not (yet) seen.

[@terrytalksmovies]

Time to track those puppies down.

[@Scimarad]

I needed to skip the rest of the 4D Man section because I already knew I'd be watching that after a couple of minutes:)

[@terrytalksmovies]

LOL. My work is done!

[@peterkarargiris4110]

Excellent video Terry. I've not heard of either of these movies - adding them to the wish list now. Cheers and have a nice weekend.

[@terrytalksmovies]

You too Peter. 😉

[@ClutchCargo001]

I don't remember 4D Man from my TV intensive childhood, but i finally caught it a few months ago. So much better than what was coming out at the time. Surprised Terry didn't mention the superior jazz score.

[@terrytalksmovies]

I forgot to but I had a note. The jazz scores really slaps.

[@garfieldsmith332]

Great review as usual. 4D Man is a good little film. First saw it at a theater. I have The H Man but have not seen The Human Vapor (Vapour) so I will have to search it out.

[@terrytalksmovies]

Definitely find The Human Vapor and the Japan version if you can.

[@Barot8]

Thank you Terry. I thought I'd seen the 4d Man but it turns out I was thinking of the Lon Chaney film. Good overview. I'll have to hunt down the Human Vapor and 4d Man.

[@terrytalksmovies]

Happy hunting!

[@adamkrenn6323]

Always enjoy your videos! I've been a fan of Human Vapor (aka Gas Person No. 1 on my old bootleg) for a long time, and all the Mutant Trilogy (now called Transforming Human trilogy). 4D man is one I remember from when I was young, I'll have to seek it out. I remember years ago when I was seeking out all post WWII Showa era sci-fi films and snagged Attack of the Mushroom People and Dogora at the same time and based on the title, lobby cards and what little I could gleam from the internet, I thought AofMP was going to be a silly farce and Dogora was going to be weird and dark, only to find the opposite was true. It was a good lesson in giving all of these films a chance, and the reward I received watching some of them. Matango is still one of my favorites, as is The Human Vapor.

[@terrytalksmovies]

Matango is mad fun, too.

[@ZoinkBnoink]

Thanks Terry. I'll definitely search for these two films. Different sc fi angles from a lot of the pew pew sci fi movies of the time. Great review.

[@terrytalksmovies]

Thanks so much. I was a bit unsure of this one, but I'm happy to be told it hit. 😀

[@Nedski42YT]

The 4D Man has been one of my favorites for a long time. I would propose it be a double feature with X: The Man with the X-Ray Eyes. Both have a similar story line about a scientist whose discovery leads to a tragic end. ALSO they both have actors who provide comic relief in other movies but not in these productions. I speak of Don Rickles and Robert Strauss of course!

[@terrytalksmovies]

Robert Strauss plays it straight in 4D Man. He was also an actor not well-regarded in the industry.

[@mrlondellsgroovymovies]

Both of these are Groovy Movies, and are in the database.

[@terrytalksmovies]

Cool! Great minds...

[@KarlBunker]

I love both of these, and it's been too long since I watched _The Human Vapor;_ I'll have to see if I can find the subtitled Japanese version. I wish I could have a young Lee Meriwether tilt her hat for me, but I'm probably too much of a stress puppy for her. And thank you, Terry, for teaching me two fun and useful phrases today. 😁

[@terrytalksmovies]

My pleasure, Karl. Glad you liked the video. 😀

[@sansabark]

Haven’t seen The 4D Man since I saw it on Superhost back in the day.

[@terrytalksmovies]

It's worth tracking down. The KL disk version is pretty good.

[@pugwall316]

4D is a new one to me! Thanks! 🙏

[@terrytalksmovies]

My pleasure. 😀

[@warrenerickson4159]

There is another old Science Fiction movie starring a Star Trek acting pair called Dimension 5 with Jeffrey Hunter and France Nuyen.

[@terrytalksmovies]

Dimension 5 is really weak. Such a low energy science fiction movie.

[@warrenerickson4159]

@@terrytalksmovies Must be why I only remember the actors and not anything at all about the plot.

[@MrMifune666]

Back in the old days of Melbourne when it was a necessity to have half a dozen video store membership cards to get all the stuff you wanted, I distinctly remember joining one solely in order to hire "4-D Man". I'm a huge Robert Lansing fan. He was criminally underrated. Emerging from that Steve McQueen / Paul Newman / James Dean school of acting of the late 50s he carved out a TV career of bits and pieces when he really should have had far greater stature in the cultural zeitgeist. The Twilight Zone episode "The Long Morrow" is a readily available example of his assets. If you can manage to (by hook or by crook) check out "87th Precinct" you'll see one of his few star turns playing a police detective (whose wife was portrayed by Gena Rowlands) to see that unutilised potential.

[@terrytalksmovies]

Lansing was also in Empire of the Ants.

[@ohppig1]

Huh, wikipedia says that there is a Netflix miniseries adaptation of The Human Vapor in development.

[@terrytalksmovies]

We'll wait and see. Not judging at this stage.

[@BeoZard]

Two excellent movies, You could add The H-Man and make it a triple feature.

[@terrytalksmovies]

For me, The H-Man is a lesser movie than The Human Vapor. It doesn't humanise the monster.

[@JohnMinehan-lx9ts]

The Human Vapor sounds like a Julius Shwartz/John Broome Flash story from the time.

[@terrytalksmovies]

The Human Vapor might've influenced The Flash. It happened with comics.

[@JohnMinehan-lx9ts]

@@terrytalksmovies Certainly, in general style. Sort of like the second cPT Cold story . . . where CPT Cold feel in love with Irish West, Barry Allen's "News Hen" significant other.

[@alphawoolf5981]

If you haven't seen it, try Secret of Telegian. It's very similar to Human Vapor.

[@terrytalksmovies]

I have seen Secret of the Telegian and I did it for the channel about a year ago. I still think The Human Vapor is a stronger story.

[@Cameroo]

Been a hot minute but I remember enjoying Ishirō Honda's The H-Man. Also Projected Man has a very similiar idea of a scientist getting a power with a nasty upside. Well, it's more like getting a nasty downside period. XD Curious if there is a term for this kind of scientist super power downside trope? I imagine it starts with fiction like the invisible man and the like.

[@terrytalksmovies]

It's almost like a scientific version of vampirism.

[@taker68]

Sounds like Marvel's the Vision or Kitty Pryde of the X-Men. Haven't seen either of these. I've wanted to see The Human Vapor for a long time, can't find a copy or on streaming. I did see The H Man which I assume is similar.

[@terrytalksmovies]

The H Man is parallel but different to The Human Vapor.

[@moreaboutmovies]

4D Man is a joy. Well made for this sort of thing and time with a cool soundtrack. I agree the science is well-done, almost-plausible nonsense.

[@terrytalksmovies]

Yep. The scientific method is respected.

[@RamZar50]

A lot of the sci-fi movies of the 1950s & 1960s were trash especially if you watched them first in the 1960s like I did. There’s no denying that the 1950s gave us a lot to ponder and laid down the foundation. I was totally awe-struck when I first watched “The Mysterians” (1957) in the mid-1960s as a kid. For years I had been searching for it and finally got the newly released DVD around 2005. Let’s just that it’s not good at all. The one that has held up superbly is “Forbidden Planet” (1958) even with the analog instrumentation. A number of the classic sci-fi movies were remade with mixed success. The remake of “The Day the Earth Stood Still” is bad but the remake of “The Thing” is superb.

[@terrytalksmovies]

Yep, remakes are hit and miss but going back to original sources always works well.

[@RamZar50]

@@terrytalksmovies A YT video comparing the original sci-fi movie versus the remake would be a great one.

[@aengusmacnaughton1375]

Yikes -- 4D Man love story is giving me dangerous flashbacks!!!!! 😵‍💫😵‍💫😵‍💫😵‍💫😵‍💫

[@terrytalksmovies]

The triangle is very odd but par for the course in the 1950s.

[@aengusmacnaughton1375]

@@terrytalksmovies -- Yep, the woman just had a real hard time getting over me aging 40 years every night! 🤣🤣🤣

[@jamescooper944]

Cousins, identical cousins! ❤️❤️

[@terrytalksmovies]

Yep. 😉😀

[@dogzdad123]

Terry: Is the "The Human Vapor" and "The H-Man" essentially the same story? Also, was it just color film stock used in the 50's by major and minor studios so inferior that any representations (online or other) grainy? -Thanks

[@terrytalksmovies]

Different stories, definitely. Real film stock has grain in it. One of the probs with 4K upgrades is that some people are digitally removing the grain and the movies look creepily smooth. Cameron has done it and George Lucas' American Grafitti has had it done too.

[@hugopritchard8455]

What is the bebop tune you use for your show theme?

[@terrytalksmovies]

It's production music from epidemic sound.

[@hugopritchard8455]

@@terrytalksmovies I'm a sax player. I wondered if it's something I've played before.

[@hugopritchard8455]

I think of 4D man as a variant of the vampire theme.

[@hugopritchard8455]

You help me get to know Asian (mainly Japanese) cinema better--there more to Japanese science fiction movies than Godzilla.

[@hugopritchard8455]

By the way, the 4D man was filmed in the same town in PA as The Blob. Both films launched many actors careers, Steve McQueen, Lee Merriweather, Patty Duke.

[@JohnMinehan-lx9ts]

Can a vapor 'dive?"

[@terrytalksmovies]

If you have Eiji Tsurabaya doing to sfx he can.

[@JohnMinehan-lx9ts]

@@terrytalksmovies Good stuff.

[@JohnMinehan-lx9ts]

Not a bad "pop science fiction film, sort of like DC comics of the time with Jack Schiff as editor as opposed to Julius Schwartz.

[@terrytalksmovies]

Cool!

[@jamesgrassia844]

Wasn’t there another Japanese movie similar to The Human Vapor called The H Man?

[@terrytalksmovies]

Similar but not as good. There was also The Secret of the Telegian.

[@timeliebe]

I just bought THE 4D MAN from Kino/Lorber here in the U.S. I remember the special effects work being really impressive for the late 1950, or even 1970s-and yeah, Robert Lansing gives it his all, probably because the rest of the cast were either never any good, or (in Lee Meriwether's case) too inexperienced. Can't remember if I've ever seen THE HUMAN VAPOR-I feel like I have but I don't remember anything about it.

[@terrytalksmovies]

If you can find it, The Human Vapor is well above the level of a lot of its contemporaries.

[@maxpayne2574]

As an aside Gary Seven is my number 2 reason to dislike suits medaling with sci fi. Firefly is number 1

[@terrytalksmovies]

Firefly was also tainted by Joss Whedon.