Review of The Incredible Melting Man (1977) by Joe A — 23 Aug 2012

Incredible Melting Man is a delightfully bad 1977 sci-fi horror about ill-fated astronaut Steve West who returns from a space mission exploring Saturnâ(TM)s rings with a bizarre condition where his flesh is melting.

For some reason, just as mystifying as to how he got this condition (there is a hint it was caused by viewing the sun through Saturn's rings but, never confirmed.), Steve must consume human flesh to slow down the degeneration.

And the hunt is on as West escapes the hospital and begins to chow down on the locals. The only positive things about this production is it's heart is in the right place and the really cool melting/gore effects by future Oscar winner/FX legend Rick Baker.

The filmmakers are really trying hard here to deliver a new and horrifying movie monster but, the talent (aside from Baker) is just not there behind or in front of the camera. The dialog is just as bad as the acting and the inept cast of unknowns stumbling around finding body parts both of the victims and the melting man, produce far more laughs then chills.

I had fun when I saw this at the legendary Oritani Theater in Hackensack, N.J. back in 77 and it was gleefully for all the wrong reasons. Written and directed by William Sachs who was responsible for the equally bad Galaxina.