The Invaders: The First Season

Back in the mid-'60s, Larry Cohen (It's Alive, Q) invented a science-fiction series that successfully fed on Cold War paranoia and managed to become appointment TV for two taut seasons. The Invaders plays like an extended episode of The Outer Limits, with architect David Vincent (Roy Thinnes) trying week after week to convince his fellow Earthlings that the world has been secretly invaded by a race of aliens in human form. Vincent knows, and the aliens know he knows, but Vincent never knows if he's talking to an alien until he sees their telltale stiff pinky finger. The special effects are limited to eerie lights, and the action is usually campy fist-fighting, but the human drama is what makes the show creepily intense.

Shelf Talk: Paramount has finally pulled this Quinn Martin production out of the vault, and its announcement has caused a small frenzy among the show's devoted cult following. It's a natural for the nostalgia market—guest stars include Michael Rennie, William Windom, Dabney Coleman and Ed Begley—but the scripts are so sturdy that they stand up well today, despite the often flat production values. Baby-boomers, X-Files fans and those who pursue all things paranormal will want to get their stiff pinkies on this box. —B.McC.