mstomaso ...the result would be The Astral Factor. The word "Factor" in the title of any vaguely sci-fi film should tell you all you need to know about the quality (or lack thereof) you are about to be subjected to. This plot-heavy film maintains the feeling of a 1970s TV detective show centered around a constantly distracted (and highly over-acted) hero police lieutenant (Robert Foxworth) in pursuit of an escaped strangler (Roger Sands) who is apparently using astral projection, among various other paranormal methods to kill people who remind him of his mother (who he murdered long ago). The victims are all B-list glamour girls and aging starlets (Elke Sommer provides a typically campy performance and is one of the film's few bright spots), giving the film a predictable luridity characteristic of the decade in which it was made. The film is riddled with irritating cliches, huge ridiculous 1970s detective cars, pretty women who are trying to portray being strangled by an unseen force, mediocre special effects, and completely unnecessary subplots (the lieutenant's absurd but cute romance with his codependent alcoholic girlfriend). Although it doesn't break through the fourth wall at any time, it is impossible to imagine that the film-makers took it very seriously. You shouldn't either.

MartinHafer AKA--The Invisible Strangler Roger raised by starlet mom--hidden and angry"The Astral Factor" is also known as "The Invisible Strangler", though I prefer to think of it as "That Stupid Robert Foxworth Movie"! This is because no matter how good the film is (and it isn't very good), the basic story idea is so stupid that you cannot help but hate this film. Not surprisingly, it's slipped into the public domain--doubtless because no sane person could ever see this film as a potential money-maker!When the film begins, convicted psychopathic killer Roger Sands is practicing his psychic powers. The nut-job has been studying on his own--trying to develop psychic skills that will allow him to escape his prison cell and return to a life of murdering models and starlets that remind him of his mother...who he previously murdered. But, considering that Sands can turn invisible and do other cool things with his mind, the cops are stumped how to catch this ingenious nutter!As I mentioned above, the plot idea for this one is just nuts! And, some of the acting isn't particularly good. So overall, it's an awful little film--one who simply isn't really enjoyable or worth your time. You could EASILY do better!

gavin6942 A convicted strangler, studying the paranormal in his jail cell, learns to make himself invisible. As an invisible man, he escapes from prison to stalk and strangle the five women who testified against him at his trial.This film is interesting in that it seems to be like "The Invisible Man" or "Hollow Man", as it follows a criminal who can become transparent. But the plot is quite different -- he can turn solid or clear through the power of his mind, and is actually already in prison when the film begins. This does not involve any sort of scientific experiment, but rather more of a spiritual ("astral") approach.Although this is a low-budget crime mystery thriller, it is certainly entertaining and better than I would have expected. I actually found it pretty clever, and really enjoyed the unique angle. Does the killer leave fingerprints? How does he turn his clothes invisible? Although I saw the movie on Netflix, it is readily available for anyone who wants to track it down. The DVD has been released into cheap box sets and I think you might even be able to watch it for free online. Whether or not it deserves a new DVD or BD release with features is debatable, and if it is in the public domain, it would probably be hard to convince anyone to do that.Bonus: Genre fans might be happy to see Elke Sommer ("Lisa and the Devil") and Marianna Hill ("The Baby").

Cristi_Ciopron THE ASTRAL FACTOR is a pretty exciting, albeit silly, supernatural thriller about a cereal killer who, after having studied ESP and psychic sciences, escapes from prison to have his revenge by assassinating some hot matrons; slightly clumsy, gruesome like a genuine _giallo, THE ASTRAL FACTOR, an honest '70s C thriller, boasts a delightful feminine cast—Stefanie Powers, Leslie Parrish, Elke Sommer, Jennifer Burton (--an erotica starlet--).The movie's title is explained, by misleading—because this guy's case isn't one of 'out—of—body travel', but one of _dematerialization, or rather of mere invisibility.In the C flicks she made in the mid—'70s, things like GONE WITH THE WEST and THE ASTRAL FACTOR, uprising starlet Stefanie Powers had the good habit of providing us with a glimpse of her naked behind; by then, she was already 33—34 yrs. An article says that CRESCENDO is 'notable only for her brief nude scene, the only one in her career'; it seems we have a definition problem. Stefanie shows her ass in at least two other flicks—those mentioned. So, take heart, Powers fans, it's more to Stefanie than it looks like!