THE POWER (1968)

At a research center in California, George Hamilton is heading a space project looking into how much pain a man—potential astronauts—can stand. But during a committee meeting, it becomes clear that one of the committee members may well possess a strong mental power, strong enough to cause objects to move simply by force of mind. When one committee member is found dead, spun to death in a huge centrifuge, the idea comes up that the person with this power may be a kind of "superman" using his powers to disrupt the research. After another death, suspicion points to Hamilton, so he begins investigating to clear his own name. What begins as an interesting science-fiction story turns into a run-of-the-mill, episodic mystery/thriller, albeit with some odd touches here and there, like a scene in which toy soldiers appear to come to life. Director Byron Haskin give the film a nice 60s sheen. The acting is lackluster all around except for Hamilton and, in a small role as a menacing creep, Aldo Ray. Other players include Suzanne Pleshette, Michael Rennie, Richard Carlson and Gary Merrill. The editor of Famous Monsters of Filmland, Forrest J. Ackerman, has a cameo. Pictured is George Hamilton. [TCM]