From the Better Late Than Never Department:
The Monster Shack takes great pride in trashing the (gag) “Syfy” channel, but I was recently shocked, yes shocked!, to find it presenting something genuinely good. Thrilling even! And that thing is…..drum-roll….. The Mercury Men. It is, to quote it’s very cool retro poster, “The return of the classic cliffhanger serial!”
Cut to the City Building, Pittsburgh, 1975. In black and white. Where bored, peevish office drone Edward Borman sits watching the clock. Bang on 7:00 PM he is ready to go, ignoring the pleas of a young woman who simply has to have her documents stamped. But his passive-aggressive satisfaction is arrested when he hears a scream just before entering the elevator. Where did that young woman go? Returning, almost against his will, to investigate he sees an eerie light moving through the empty offices, and is soon running for his life from strange glowing figures who can kill with lightning. Fortunately for Edward these intruders are not the only visitors that night, and his life is saved by Jack Yaeger, a “daring aerospace engineer” and member of something called “The League.” For now all I can tell you is that it is led by one “Captain Tomorrow.” And that devise the glowing beings are assembling in the parking garage? It’s a “gravity engine!” Can Jack and Edward destroy it before the minions of the Chief Designer use it to accomplish his fiendish plan? Tune in tomorrow!
Sean Ledden (December 2011)
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Incredible find, Sean! This looks intense, and it is set in the ‘Burgh! The props look somewhat reminiscent of “Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow”, which was really under-rated IMHO. Thanks for the review!
My pleasure!
Also, I am reminded by the retro props of another favorite of mine, Disney’s “The Rocketeer”. Dave Stevens wrote that originally as a comic book, and the artwork was literally art. I wonder if “Mercury Men” is available on Blu-ray, or even plain old DVD? Must check…
I love the look of The Rocketeer too!
Watched the first 3 episodes last night on FIOS on demand. Great stuff! Top notch special effects, even if the main character shoots 18 shots in a row from a modified 6 shooter. I liked how there was so little talk in the first episode, most communication was tense and riveting, in my opinion. The wife enjoyed it as well! Looking forward to the rest, when I hit the lottery I’ll bankroll a feature length Hollywood movie!
Glad you and the wife enjoyed this. And when you win the lottery you’ll be hearing from my agent!
Still haven’t hit that pesky lottery… But I am trying!