The Atomic Man(US) Also Known As: Timeslip(UK)

Running time:  76 minutes (US)/93 minutes (UK)

Directed by    Ken Hughes

Written by     Charles Eric Maine

Produced by    Alec C. Snowden

Starring       Faith Domergue
               Gene Nelson
               Peter Arne

When a shot atomic scientist found floating in a river is revived he finds himself living seven seconds in the future! He’s also got to battle an evil double out to sabotage his work. 

The Atomic Man (released in the UK under the title Timeslip) is a fairly straightforward piece of mid-1950s hokum, built on some daft ‘atomic’ science, but it is notable for one striking thing. American atomic scientist Rayner is revived after seven seconds dead on the operating table: now his mind is seven seconds adrift in time! 

When Rayner (Arne) is interviewed by Jill (Domergue), girlfriend of magazine reporter Delaney (Nelson), he answers each question before it’s even asked (as his consciousness is seven seconds in the future). It’s a mad idea that gives the film a memorable and unusual premise that makes it stand out from the more run-of-the-mill science fiction thrillers of the time. 

Apart from that unique conceit, the bulk of The Atomic Man is a traditional mystery runaround with gangsters and criminal thugs getting in the way of the heroes solving the mystery of the assassination attempt on the atomic scientist and his mysterious doppelganger stand-in. It’s also dotted with silly, inconsequential humour scenes telegraphed by some awful ‘wah-wah’ music. 

When watching The Atomic Man keep your eyes peeled for a couple of brief appearances from a young Charles Hawtrey.