A low budget Disney film which plays like two parts of a TV series became one of the biggest hits in its year (in the top 20), making $4 million. Why? Well, the Disney brand was highly potent at the time and teen audiences might have been keen at the time for something a bit more wholesome.
The lead character, super nerd Merlin Jones, was engagingly played by Tommy Kirk, and Annette Funicello offered pleasing support. (These two had previously teamed for Disney TV in The Horsemasters and Escapade in Florence).
The first half has Merlin develop the ability to read minds, the second has him able to hypnotise people; both sections involve a judge (Leon Ames), the second half involves a chimpanzee. It feels a little run of the mill; still, it was popular. There was a sequel, The Monkey's Uncle.
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