The Invaders is Science Fiction at its Best
The 1960s television series continues to be a cult favorite.
The Invaders continues to be popular
The Invaders was a 1967 Science Fiction television series that ran for nearly two seasons on ABC. Roy Thinnes stars as David Vincent, who stumbled across evidence of an alien invasion from outer space.
The aliens disguised themselves as humans, often taking the place of men and women, and gradually infiltrated American towns. Vincet spends each episode traveling while trying to warn authorities and the general public, but his mission is hindered each week by the unbelieving and the aliens.
Some have died after attempting to help him, and others pretend they don't know anything. Whenever he confronts the aliens, he always lives to go to another town.
Along the way, David manages to convince a few people of the truth, but it is to no avail. When the aliens die, their bodies glow, and they disappear, leaving no evidence behind.
The Quinn Martin connection
This series is similar to The Fugitive, where David Jasen's character Dr. Richard Kimbel, travels the US trying to clear his name after being framed for murdering his wife. Both series were produced by Quinn Martin.
The Fugitive, which lasted four seasons, had closure when the one-armed man who murdered Dr. Kimbel's wife was found. Unfortunately, The Invaders never received closure.
The series was cancelled, mid-way through the second season, even though it was praised as great Sci-Fi programming. One poll determined that The Invaders was the greatest science fiction television program of all time. A decline in ratings and the changing landscape of network television were said to be reasons the show was axed.
The legacy of Roy Thinnes
The Invaders airs early on Sunday mornings on MeTV, and all 43 3pisodes can be viewed on RETV-Sci-Fi Horror and Fantasy. As of this writing, Roy Thinnes is alive and well at 87. He has been married to his fourth wife, Stephanie Batailler, since 2005.
The actor has appeared in many television series like Tales of the Unexpected, One Life to Live, The Untouchables, Gunsmoke, and The Long Hot Summer. His last television appearance was in 2006 in Conviction. His big break came when he portrayed Dr. Phil Brewer on the ABC soap General Hospital from 1964 to 1965.
He appeared in numerous movies, including Airport 1975, ( the co-pilot) A Beautiful Mind, The Hindenburg (A sadistic SS )and Journey to the Far Side of the Sun. He was also in the made-for-TV movie Satan's School for Girls.
Thinnes was cast in the role of nefarious jeweler Arthur Adamson in Alfred Hitchcock's 1976 film Family Plot. When William Shatner, who was Hitchcock's first choice, became available, Thinnes was fired, and he adn Hitchcok were said to have feuded publicly.
Vincent received some closure three decades later
In 1995, Thinnes reprised his character David Vincent in the two-part miniseires reboot of The Invaders, where he passed the torch to Nolan Wood (Scott Bakula). Consider how passionate Vincent was about exposing the aliens. After 30 years without success, having to leave the job to someone else must have been difficult.
For fans who feel that the series was cancelled without giving any closure, perhaps Vincent, giving his blessing to Wood, three decades later, did just that. Roy Thinnes appeared in his final film role as Peter Andrews in Broken English in 2007.
The Invaders was ahead of its time and resonates today as there continue to be those who report sightings of UFOs and Aliens who are not believed. The series was filled with action and adventure that left viewers on the edge of their seats. It did not rely on a lot of special effects as the actors drove the storyline.
About the Creator
Cheryl E Preston
Cheryl enjoys writing about current events, soap spoilers and baby boomer nostalgia. Tips are greatly appreciated.
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