Click to See Covers and Photos! Click to See Covers and Photos! Click to See Covers and Photos!
The Astral Factor  (1976)
[+]
The Astral Fiend
Invisible Strangler
Silent Kill
Tagline(s):What You Can't See...Can Kill You!
 A Criminally Insane Murderer Escapes From The Institution -- By Becoming Invisible!
Nomination Year: 2014
SYNOPSIS: The illegitimate son of a famous actress is in an asylum for murdering his Mommy Dearest. But he studies the occult and learns the art of turning invisible and telekinesis. He then goes after the five beautiful women he went after before (“mommy substitutes” you see). Only a Brady-Dad-looking 70’s maverick cop with nothing left to lose (except his beautiful girlfriend) is smart enough to figure out that the killer…is invisible! So’s the budget.
Bryan Cassidy
Smithee Award Nominations
Worst Special Effect
"Convict! You Can Do Magic Things!"
The killer learns psychic powers. He glows! The guy across the hall gives him shit. His eyes glow! The other guy’s glasses break...then he gets thrown backwards...then books fall on him...then the mattress off his bed attacks...then his shoes kick him...
"Whoops!"
She’s Feeling a Bit Loopy
Sleepy birthday girl says goodbye to rough cop boyfriend, then gets LOOPed over.
Crummiest Ending
Invisible Does Not Mean Bulletproof
Astral projection can’t stop bullets, or contrast effect! Shocking scene on the stairs! But wait, he disappears! Or goes off to Hell, or something.
Directors
Director Claim to Fame
John Florea Directed over 100 episodes of television from 1958-1986. His co-directing of The Astral Factor was uncredited. 
Gene Fowler, Jr. Directed I Was a Teenage Werewolf, I Married a Monster from Outer Space, and I Was a Crappy Director from the 1950s. Okay, I made that last one up, but he was at least smart enough to take his name off The Astral Factor, which he co- directed. 
Arthur C. Pierce Pierce was a combat photographer for the US Navy during World War II and received several commendations for bravery under fire. That explains how he had the stomach to direct such films as Women of the Prehistoric Planet, but if he were so brave, how come he's uncredited for The Human Duplicators, The Navy vs. the Night Monsters, and The Astral Factor
Cast
Actor Character Claim to Fame
Frank Ashmore Roger Sands Victor Basta in Airplane! and Martin on "V" (the TV show with the lizard-aliens, NOT the vendetta movie). 
Robert Foxworth Lt. Charles Barrett Lent his voice to Ratchet in the Transformers movies, Emil Hamilton on the "Justice League Unlimited" show and also Race Bannon on "The Real Adventures of Johnny Quest." Also played Chase Gioberti on "Falcon Crest." 
Stefanie Powers Candy Barrett She was Mrs. H...she's GORGEOUS! (Jennifer Hart of "Hart to Hart," that is). 
Elke Sommer Chris Hartman Gorgeous glamour gal of the '60's and '70's, German-born blonde bombshell once voted Woman of the Year. Played Inger Lisa Andersson in The Prize and Maria Gambrelli in A Shot in the Dark
Sue Lyon Darlene DeLong The titular Lolita in the 1962 film. 
Mark Slade Detective Holt Played Billy Blue Cannon on "The High Chaparral" and was Taylor Reed in Salty...which is what I'm sure he is about having been in this film. 
Leslie Parrish Colleen Hudson Played Lt. Carolyn Palamas on that Adonis episode of the original "Star Trek;" was a henchgirl on "Batman," and played Daisy Mae Scragg in Li'l Abner
Marianna Hill Bambi Greer Callie Travers in High Plains Drifter, Deanna Corleone in The Godfather: Part II and of course Helen Noel from that original "Star Trek" episode "Dagger of the Mind" ("Helennn!"). 
Percy Rodrigues Captain Wells African-Canadian actor who played Harry Miles on "Peyton Place" and the Postmaster on the "Court Martial" episode of the original "Star Trek." 
Bob Hoy Harris AKA Robert F. Hoy, he was a B-Movie bit- part regular. 
To the Film Gallery   Return to Lobby
[Smithee Film Gallery]   [Return to Lobby]
© 1992-2024 Bryan D. Cassidy and Greg Pearson. All Rights Reserved.