World Of Giants
Just finished watching "World Of Giants - The Complete Series" released by ClassicFlix.
"World Of Giants" is an interesting concept for a "Spy" television show that CBS green-lighted back in 1959 after the success of "The Incredible Shrinking Man" and borrows some elements from the blockbuster science film.
"World Of Giants" is a precursor to Irwin Allen's "Land Of The Giants," and Lindsay Guttridge's "Cold War In A Country Garden" spy trilogy.
Federal agent Mel Hunter was on a mission behind the iron curtain when an explosion exposed him to an experimental rocket fuel that causes him to shrink in size to a height of only six inches.
It's implied that Hunter is an agent with the FBI who want to give him a sense of purpose after his recovery.
I don't think that CBS and ZIV TV had a complete series bible when they started production on "World Of Giants," which they gave the tag line of "WOG" and they actually say "WOG" in the intro title. And I also think they were torn on whether they were aiming towards an adult or children audience or perhaps both. Hunter does break the Fourth Wall at the end of each episode by directly looking at and addressing the viewer.
ZIV TV produced only 13 episodes of "World Of Giants" before CBS pulled the plug on the series after spending four million dollars and being unable to find a sponsor for the series. "World Of Giants" did air as syndicated series two years after it ceased production in 1961. ZIV TV did pioneer many of the sets and filming techniques that "Land Of The Giants" and other movies and television shows would use for miniature people living in a regular sized world. Actor Marshall Thompson, who portrayed Agent Mel Hunter, interacted with over-sized props and did a lot of the physical stunts - much like the actors in "Land Of The Giants" who did years later.
Hunter lived with his partner Bill Winters, and in the fifth episode of the series, titled "Gambling Story," Miss Brown, a nurse and Girl Friday for Hunter, was introduced to the series and Hunter was given his own house that could be brought into Winters' apartment, where it was hidden behind a painting in the full-sized agent's apartment. Miss Brown and Winters would also become a romantic couple towards the end of the series.
A rather curious note about "World Of Giants" is that it was approved by the Good Television Committee and the seal was proudly displayed as the credits rolled after each episode.
"World Of Giants' is best known for having top-notch, for the time, science fiction directors Nathan Juran, Jack Arnold, and Byron Haskin directing several episodes
Each episode of "World Of Giants" is only 30 minutes in length.
"World Of Giants" is a curious spy adventure science fiction show that while it wasn't ground breaking, did provide solid entertainment.
Strongly Recommended.
Four Stars.
https://www.amazon.com/World-Giants-C...
"World Of Giants" is an interesting concept for a "Spy" television show that CBS green-lighted back in 1959 after the success of "The Incredible Shrinking Man" and borrows some elements from the blockbuster science film.
"World Of Giants" is a precursor to Irwin Allen's "Land Of The Giants," and Lindsay Guttridge's "Cold War In A Country Garden" spy trilogy.
Federal agent Mel Hunter was on a mission behind the iron curtain when an explosion exposed him to an experimental rocket fuel that causes him to shrink in size to a height of only six inches.
It's implied that Hunter is an agent with the FBI who want to give him a sense of purpose after his recovery.
I don't think that CBS and ZIV TV had a complete series bible when they started production on "World Of Giants," which they gave the tag line of "WOG" and they actually say "WOG" in the intro title. And I also think they were torn on whether they were aiming towards an adult or children audience or perhaps both. Hunter does break the Fourth Wall at the end of each episode by directly looking at and addressing the viewer.
ZIV TV produced only 13 episodes of "World Of Giants" before CBS pulled the plug on the series after spending four million dollars and being unable to find a sponsor for the series. "World Of Giants" did air as syndicated series two years after it ceased production in 1961. ZIV TV did pioneer many of the sets and filming techniques that "Land Of The Giants" and other movies and television shows would use for miniature people living in a regular sized world. Actor Marshall Thompson, who portrayed Agent Mel Hunter, interacted with over-sized props and did a lot of the physical stunts - much like the actors in "Land Of The Giants" who did years later.
Hunter lived with his partner Bill Winters, and in the fifth episode of the series, titled "Gambling Story," Miss Brown, a nurse and Girl Friday for Hunter, was introduced to the series and Hunter was given his own house that could be brought into Winters' apartment, where it was hidden behind a painting in the full-sized agent's apartment. Miss Brown and Winters would also become a romantic couple towards the end of the series.
A rather curious note about "World Of Giants" is that it was approved by the Good Television Committee and the seal was proudly displayed as the credits rolled after each episode.
"World Of Giants' is best known for having top-notch, for the time, science fiction directors Nathan Juran, Jack Arnold, and Byron Haskin directing several episodes
Each episode of "World Of Giants" is only 30 minutes in length.
"World Of Giants" is a curious spy adventure science fiction show that while it wasn't ground breaking, did provide solid entertainment.
Strongly Recommended.
Four Stars.
https://www.amazon.com/World-Giants-C...
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