A prank that starts with a group of college students creating a fictitious person so they can get a credit card develops into a plot that leaves three of them dead.
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i must have seen a different film!!
This is a coming of age storyline that you've seen in one form or another for decades. It takes a truly unique voice to make yet another one worth watching.
Like the great film, it's made with a great deal of visible affection both in front of and behind the camera.
One of the most extraordinary films you will see this year. Take that as you want.
It's not a bad film - it's rather advanced for its time but the way they go about it is rather boring for me to watch. The film could not keep my interest held.5 college kids 3 end up dead after they create a "paper man". The "paper man" is a fraudulent man - in fact, he doesn't exist. The group now has a credit card in the "paper man's" name... they are committing fraud. The one that guy that had the smarts to do all of this stepped out of it not long after "paper man" was created - he felt guilty and knows how deep his crime goes - he knows he faces prison. The rest of the group continues with what they started.2/10
When a super computer apparently turns on a group of naughty tech students who've created a bogus identity to essentially commit credit card fraud, the student who wrote the programme (Stockwell) becomes prime suspect in the series of bizarre accidents that follow. Stefanie Powers, James Stacy, Elliot Street and Tina Chen initially profit handsomely from Stockwell's handy-work, but the sheriff (Ross Elliot) suspects that Stockwell may not be as introverted and shy as his reputation suggests. As the "accidents" escalate, a twisted nerve is revealed that might identify the culprit. While it's dated, the concept of the super computer becoming an all powerful entity of destruction is a theme that's as prolific as they come forty years later. Stockwell (sporting an epic bouffant) is suitably suspicious (and not unlike his character in "Compulsion"), while Powers is an attractive and sympathetic psychology graduate, ex-Marine Stacy the stereotypical jock, Chen providing the ubiquitous ethnicity and Street a likable, computer geek, perhaps creating the "nerd" mould. James Olson has a key supporting role as the computer technician.I saw the 90 minute version, and the suspense builds nicely to a climax that while not entirely telegraphed, isn't going to shock most armchair sleuths. Nevertheless, the acting is watchable, the dialogue realistic and the narrative consistent. Dated but entertaining mid-week movie.
Four college students (including Stefanie Powers) decide to go on a spending spree when one of them mistakenly receives a credit card for one "Henry Norman" in the mail. When the bank starts to get suspicious and requests "Henry" fill out a background questionnaire (hey, it was the early 70s), the group recruits computer whiz Avery (Dean Stockwell) to create a "real" history for the man in the computer. However, it appears Henry Norman is quite real himself and is angry his credit rating is being ruined so he starts offing the kids via the computer. Engaging TV movie that seems to have been ahead of its time when it comes to computers. Unfortunately, there are two problems. One, the kids are totally unsympathetic and annoying; two, the mystery is pretty dang obvious when you have the five kids whittled down to two and there is only one other character in the story. Still, a fun little computer gone wild flick to enjoy with its big brother COLOSSUS: THE FORBIN PROJECT (1970).
I can remember seeing "The Paper Man " during a midnight movie session in about 1975. I can remember being terrified, as a 12 year old, thinking that this was possible. I think it is amazing to think that this movie now has possibilities of becoming true and actually happening. It is a scary thought. I love to watch movies about computers taking over and there are several I have seen. I would love to see this movie again as it scared the life out of me and I wonder if after all the horrors since, if it can still scare me.