In 1957, science fiction movie fans were treated to one of the all-time classics in the genre. The films self-explanatory title said it all, The Incredible Shrinking Man. It was the fantastic tale of one Robert Scott Carey, the hapless title character who finds himself shrinking into oblivion following a freak encounter at sea with a strange mist. The Incredible Shrinking Man is more than a science fiction classic. The film also represents one of the most collectible sci-fi entries of the Fabulous Fifties. Based on the novel The Shrinking Man (1956) by Richard Matheson, The Incredible Shrinking Man was produced by Albert Zugsmith for Universal-International Pictures. Writing the screenplay (his first) was Matheson himself, with uncredited assistance from Richard Alan Simmons. Ably directing the action was Jack Arnold (It Came From Outer Space, The Creature From the Black Lagoon) with Ellis W. Carter as cinematographer and Al Joseph as film editor. Heading the cast were Grant Williams as Robert Scott Carey and Randy Stuart as Louise Carey. Also on board were April Kent as Clarice Bruce, Paul Langton as Charlie Carey, Raymond Bailey as Dr. Silver, William Schallert as Dr. Bramson, Diana Darrin as Nurse, Billy Curtis as Midget and Orangey as Butch the Cat. Orangey, a male marmalade tabby owned and trained by legendary cinematic animal trainer Frank Inn, had previously appeared in the films Rhubarb (1951) and This Island Earth (1955). Budgeted at $750,000, The Incredible Shrinking Man began production on May 31, 1956. As might be expected, the movies special effects accounted for the lions share of the budget, which included large props (matchbook, table, mousetrap, sewing needle, thimble, et al.) and the construction of an oversized dollhouse at Universal Pictures Stage 28. In order to protect the secrecy of the special photography used in the film, Universal adopted a closed-door policy on the set, further creating an aura of mystery for potential filmgoers. Filming The Incredible Shrinking Man proved to be a grueling challenge for lead actor Grant Williams, who was injured multiple times while climbing sets and the like. His injuries included scratches, blisters and an eye condition, which merited medical attention at the studio hospital. The Incredible Shrinking Man opens at sea, where Scott Carey and his wife, Louise, are vacationing on their boat. While Louise is down in the cabin, a strange mist moves in, enveloping Scott topside. After returning home, Scott notices that his clothes are now too large. Alarmed by this development, Scott visits his doctor, whose X-rays later reveal that Scott, who suspected as much, is actually shrinking. A referral to a medical institute determines that a combination of the strange radioactive mist and exposure to lawn pesticides has altered his molecular structure, resulting in his shrinking. Scott Carey soon becomes the subject of intense media attention, forcing him to stay inside his home. An antidote is discovered, arresting Scotts height at three feet, but it proves to be only temporary, as he continues to shrink following a relationship with a circus dwarf named Clarice. Now living in a dollhouse, Scott is attacked one day by the family cat while Louise is out running an errand. Taking refuge in the basement, Scott encounters many other dangers, including a burst water heater and later a marauding spider, the latter of which Scott manages to kill with a large sewing needle. Assuming that Butch killed Scott after finding a bloody piece of clothing, Louise and Scotts brother, Charlie, investigate the broken water heater in the basement, unable to hear Scotts pleas for help as he has now become so tiny as to be inaudible. Scott later escapes his basement dungeon, slipping through a tiny square in a window screen and contemplating his fate as he continues to shrink to sub-atomic stature while staring at the massive, starlit universe above. The Incredible Shrinking Man premiered in New York City on Feb. 22, 1957. More than one month later, the movie made its Los Angeles debut on March 27, 1957. In late April of that year, the film went into general release in the United States. The Incredible Shrinking Man proved to be one of the most successful science fiction pictures of the 1950s, grossing $1.43 million by the end of 1957. In 1964, The Incredible Shrinking Man returned to movie theaters, where it eventually attained a kind of cult following among sci-fi fans. The Incredible Shrinking Man produced a plethora of incredible memorabilia for todays collectors. Leading the way is the workhorse of movie promotional material, the standard 27-by-41-inch one sheet poster featuring superb artwork by Reynold Brown. Pictured is a disheveled Grant Williams, armed with a sewing needle, fending off the family cat. One example in folded very fine- condition brought a top bid of $776.75 at auction. For sheer eye appeal and collectibility, one cant beat the movies eight-card lobby set, which features various scenes from the picture: Grant Williams setting the mousetrap, the menacing spider in the basement, Williams hiding behind a big ball of yarn, Butch the cat stalking his small human prey, Williams and Randy Stuart aboard their boat, et al. One set in fine-very fine condition sold for $896.25 at auction. And speaking of cards, the films window card (14-by-22 inches) is another stunner. These cards were displayed in cafes, shoe stores, barber shops and other businesses around town in order to promote the movie. One restored example for the Melrose Theatre (there were more than a few theaters around the country bearing that name back in the day, including ones in Nashville, Tenn.; Melrose, Mass.; Los Angeles, Calif.; Pittsburgh, Pa.) in very fine- condition hit a top bid of $776.75 at auction. The movies insert poster (14-by-36 inches) is another popular item with collectors, featuring different artwork from the one sheet poster. Butch the cat is once again front and center extending a fearsome paw at his former master. One example in rolled very fine- condition brought $424.23 at auction. The films half sheet style B poster (22-by-28 inches) is another gem in the field. One example in rolled fine condition sold for $430.20 at auction. Foreign movie posters can also be quite attractive. The Australian Daybill poster (13-by-30 inches), featuring the blurb at top, A Motion Picture So Incredible You Will Talk About It For Years To Come!, plus the warning, Not Suitable For Children, is always a hit with collectors. One example in very fine+ condition sold at auction for $373.75. Another superb foreign entry is the Italian 2 Foglio poster (39-by-54 inches), which features Grant Williams trapped in a spiders web as the creature closes in on its human prey. One example in restored fine-very fine condition on linen hit a top bid of $836.50. As previously mentioned, The Incredible Shrinking Man was re-released to movie theaters in 1964. A lot of 51 black-and-white 8-by-10 inch photos from both 1957 and 1964 in fine-very fine condition sold at auction for $382.40. The pictures pressbook, called Showmans Manual, is a must for any collector. Contained within its pages is the movies entire promotional campaign in the form of sample poster images, newspaper advertising mats, various promo items, etc. One example in folded, uncut very fine- condition brought a winning bid of $155.35 at auction. Autographed items are always treasured by collectors. A title lobby card (11-by-14 inches) signed by both director Jack Arnold (1916-1992) and writer Richard Matheson (1926-2013) in good condition sold for $450 at auction. Auction results and images are courtesy of Heritage Auctions, Dallas, Texas. William J. Felchner is a graduate of Illinois State University. His work has appeared in a number of periodicals, including True West, Hot Rod, Corvette Quarterly, Movie Collectors World, Big Reel, Old West, Sports Collectors Digest, Goldmine and Pennsylvania Magazine.