
The Incredible Shrinking Man

What happens when evidence flies in the face of established knowledge? At first, everyone tries to convince Robert Scott Carey that he’s imagining things when his shirts seem to be getting bigger and the scale tells him he’s dropping pounds.
Eventually, even the nay-sayers have to admit he’s turned into “The Incredible Shrinking Man” (1957). Eventually, a scientist with a deeply authoritative voice and white lab coat informs Scott that exposure to a mysterious fog followed by a walk through a cloud of pesticide likely caused his condition. As doctors race to discover a cure, Scott’s relationships dwindle down to a complete dependence on his wife, Louise—until he meets Clarice, who’s just about his size.
This classic sci-fi was remade in 1981 as “The Incredible Shrinking Woman,” a comedy starring Lily Tomlin.

Toxic Chemicals
Learn more about toxic chemicals and the human body
More Science to go with the Show
Related Resources
The pollution in people – a report from Environmental Working Group
Dixie State University Environmental Studies
Utah State Univeristy Environmental Studies
University of Utah Environmental Studies
Weber State University’s Zoology Program
Find More UEN SciFi Friday
Browse by Film Titles
Browse by Expert
Browse by Science Topic