1955’s “The Atomic Man” was a very early example of British science fiction, before the landscape was changed by the release of “The Quatermass Xperiment” from Hammer Films (“The Creeping Unknown” in the US). Its American title somewhat gives the game away, as the original “Timeslip” more accurately depicts the slight sci/fi elements in the script by Charles Eric Maine (he also wrote “Spaceways” and “The Electronic Monster,” plus the novel “The Mind of Mr. Soames,” later adapted by Amicus for a 1969 feature). Essentially an espionage thriller with the incongruous presence of a 30s-type wisecracking journalist (Gene Nelson), complete with his very own Girl Friday in breathtaking Faith Domergue, capping off a banner year with “Cult of the Cobra,” “This Island Earth,” and “It Came from Beneath the Sea” preceding this. A critically wounded man (Peter Arne) is rescued from certain drowning, the bullet removed just as the patient expires on the operating table. Incredibly, the corpse opens his eyes shortly after being pronounced clinically dead, with no memory of who shot him or why. The newshound recognizes the patient as renowned physicist Stephen Rayner, nicknamed ‘The Isotope Man’ for his expertise working in radiation, his recollection of a name (Vasquo) and the initials UTC helping to uncover a plot to destroy the research laboratory where Rayner works. The actors and direction from Ken Hughes are better than the script so its no classic but more enjoyable than the usual quota quickie has any right to be, typical of the period wherein a Hollywood star was toplined to ensure distribution in the US (interestingly, like QUATERMASS this too was adapted from a BBC serial, initially telecast in 1953). Gene Nelson would soon alternate acting with directing, his debut behind the camera the infamous “Hand of Death,” starring stalwart John Agar.