Paper Man (1971)

What a beautiful movie!

Great Film overall

A film with more than the usual spoiler issues. Talking about it in any detail feels akin to handing you a gift-wrapped present and saying, "I hope you like it -- It's a thriller about a diabolical secret experiment."

This is a gorgeous movie made by a gorgeous spirit.

This is actually an enjoyable little computer thriller that shows off the popular perception of computers in 1971. Aside from enjoying Dean Stockwell's great early-70s hair, it's great to see the characters gather around a hard copy terminal as they enter input, and shuffle through the piles of printed output. Taking advantage of a computer error, a group of college students create computer records for a fictitious persona to use an untraceable credit card - an early attempt at identity theft that becomes dangerous when the students start dying one by one. I am a big fan of these 1970s TV movies, and this is a decent example with the mystery keeping my interest throughout.

I see that this movie was made in 1971 - so I do wonder how much it was influenced by the Journey To The Unknown episode "The Madison Equation" from 3 years earlier. The idea of computers running riot with a "mind of their own" and with dire consequences was best achieved in "Fail Safe" but it's amazing how all three of these have managed to highlight, in their own way, what might happen if man puts too much store by these machines. We don't hear so much of that now - are we too trusting? Felt that 90 minutes was a bit overlong for this particular one, though. The story dragged a bit halfway through and the rationale for the creation of Henry Norman just didn't ring true. Stockwell carries the movie, frankly...most of the rest of the cast just seem there as filler. There appeared to me to be TWO twists to the ending - the obvious one and the one in the movie's final minute when the Sheriff is in the room and the date is revealed. Nicely ambiguous! One very confusing point for me, though: -James Stacy's character's demise......just what happened to him in the end? 90 minutes of good fun - but "The Madison Equation" is a better piece of made-for-TV viewing covering this same subject. And it's 40 minutes shorter.

When a super computer apparently turns on a group of naughty tech students who've created a bogus identity to essentially commit credit card fraud, the student who wrote the programme (Stockwell) becomes prime suspect in the series of bizarre accidents that follow. Stefanie Powers, James Stacy, Elliot Street and Tina Chen initially profit handsomely from Stockwell's handy-work, but the sheriff (Ross Elliot) suspects that Stockwell may not be as introverted and shy as his reputation suggests. As the "accidents" escalate, a twisted nerve is revealed that might identify the culprit. While it's dated, the concept of the super computer becoming an all powerful entity of destruction is a theme that's as prolific as they come forty years later. Stockwell (sporting an epic bouffant) is suitably suspicious (and not unlike his character in "Compulsion"), while Powers is an attractive and sympathetic psychology graduate, ex-Marine Stacy the stereotypical jock, Chen providing the ubiquitous ethnicity and Street a likable, computer geek, perhaps creating the "nerd" mould. James Olson has a key supporting role as the computer technician.I saw the 90 minute version, and the suspense builds nicely to a climax that while not entirely telegraphed, isn't going to shock most armchair sleuths. Nevertheless, the acting is watchable, the dialogue realistic and the narrative consistent. Dated but entertaining mid-week movie.

This is a TV movie, whose idea, should have been snapped up for a theatrical release. An updated version might work very well in today's more computer oriented society. It's surprising that no one has thought of doing just this. Prankish college students use their computer knowledge to create a "person" to get around credit restrictions on students. Somehow, getting out of hand, their made-up "person" won't allow himself to be "uncreated"!Suspense! Murder! Finger pointing!!! This movie keeps you guessing till the end and then is still not finished with you. I don't expect "Paper Man" to be shown often or in daylight hours, but if you come across it in the late night TV listings, set the timer on your VCR, it's worth it.......