"You're next!" This is the celebrated catchphrase actor Kevin McCarthy(who just passed away at age 96) screamed out as he was racing along the freeway trying to warn motorists of an impending alien invasion in 1956's classic sci-fi flick, "Invasion of the Body Snatchers." It stands as one of the most dramatic film scenes in the history of the genre. Indeed, McCarthy was perfectly cast as a physician who comes to realize that pod entities are replacing human beings.
However, that scene, which was originally intended to mark the conclusion of the film, was deemed too dyslogistic by the powers that be. So, a final scenario was added where McCarthy's character was able to convince authorities that an invasion was indeed taking place when a truckload of pods crashed. Clear-cut evidence for this new addendum is seen in the credit roll, which was quite thorough in listing all of the actors. However, 2 well-known character actors, Whit Bissell and Richard Deacon, who were in that added scene, were not listed because the cast names had already been filmed.
While this stands as 1 of my very favorite movies, I have always been equally enthralled by another of McCarthy's roles, that of a 2,000-year-old college professor in the "Twilight Zone " episode, "Long Live Walter Jameson." His performance, including the very memorable finale where he turns to dust, was definitely Emmy-caliber in quality!
In recent years, McCarthy had been guesting at Hollywood-themed conventions while still working in films. Although such appearances, sadly, have come to an end, his on-screen work lives on! And, he will not be forgotten by sci-fi buffs!
May the Power of the Cosmos be with You, Kevin McCarthy! Yes! Yes! Yes!
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