Architect David Vincent (Roy Thinnes) embarks on a one-man crusade after witnessing the landing of an alien spacecraft in ABC-TV's science fiction classic, The Invaders.

The Invaders -- a Quinn Martin Production -- lasted but two seasons on television, producing 43 hour-long episodes from 1967-68. But in those 43 episodes are packed some of the finest science fiction fare ever to grace the small screen, with Roy Thinnes starring as David Vincent, a man on a mission who tries to convince a disbelieving world that the alien invaders are now among us!

Created by Larry Cohen

The Invaders was created by Larry Cohen, a producer/writer/director primarily known for his work in the horror and thriller film genre. His other TV creation was the Chuck Connors Western cult classic, Branded (1965-66).

The Cast

In the beginning it was Roy Thinnes (born 4/6/38) as the show's lone ranger, portraying alien-obsessed architect David Vincent. Added to the cast in mid-second season was Kent Smith (1907-1985) as Edgar Scoville of Scoville Electronics, another true believer who joins Vincent's extraterrestrial crusade.

Providing the show's famous opening narration was Hank Simms (born 5/25/23), with William Woodson (born 7/16/17) serving as the series' regular narrator.

The Invaders Debuts

Time magazine (1/6/67) braced its readers for the eerie arrival of The Invaders as such: "A young architect (Roy Thinnes) spots a flying saucer landing and -- guess what? -- nobody believes him."

On January 10, 1967, The Invaders made its ABC television debut. The first episode, "Beachhead," scripted by Anthony Wilson and directed by Joseph Sargent, introduced David Vincent, age 28 and an honors graduate of MIT, returning home from a business trip and pulling over to sleep near a deserted cafe called Bud's Diner.

Awakened by bright lights and a loud humming noise, Vincent witnesses the landing of a spacecraft from another galaxy. But when he returns the next day with the authorities in tow, Vincent is unable to offer any proof of his UFO sighting.

The invaders -- alien beings from a dying planet intent on making the Earth their world -- can take human form, and are now on to Vincent as he embarks on his lonely battle to prove their existence.

Additional First Season Episodes

"Beachhead" was followed by 16 additional first season episodes. Among the offerings: "The Leeches" (an electronics expert seeks Vincent's help when he fears an alien abduction), "Vikor" (Vincent's hunt for the invaders leads him to a large industrial plant owned by a war hero), "Storm" (a meteorologist suspects that a hurricane raging on the East Coast has alien origins), and "Moonshot" (Vincent investigates when two lunar astronauts perish in a mysterious red fog).

Second Season Episodes

The Invaders began its second season on September 5, 1967. The opening episode was "Condition: Red," with the aliens trying to infiltrate a vital Air Defense Command unit.

Other notable second season episodes: "Valley of the Shadow" (townspeople capture an invader, assuming he is insane), "The Prophet" (an alien uses his ability to glow red in order to masquerade as a crusading evangelist), "The Believers" (Vincent joins forces with a small band of other believers headed by Edgar Scoville), and "Inquisition" (government officials attempt to hold Vincent responsible after a U.S. Senator is killed in an explosion).

Notable Guest Stars

The Invaders featured a number of talented guest stars. Heading the all-star roster were Roddy McDowall, Suzanne Pleshette, Jack Lord, James Whitmore, Ed Begley, Peter Graves, Burgess Meredith, Ralph Bellamy, Gene Hackman, Wayne Rogers, Dawn Wells, Pat Hingle, Sally Kellerman, Fritz Weaver, Carol Lynley, Karen Black, Louis Gossett Jr., Will Geer, Barry Williams and Lynn Loring (wife of Roy Thinnes).

Also appearing in The Invaders were the stars of two classic science fiction films: Michael Rennie (The Day the Earth Stood Still, 1951) and Kevin McCarthy (Invasion of the Body Snatchers, 1956).

Cleveland Amory humorously reviewed The Invaders for TV Guide on February 18, 1967.

The Invaders officially exited the airwaves on September 17, 1968, with a repeat episode, "Counterattack."

The Invaders on DVD

All 43 episodes of The Invaders are available on DVD.

Just don't go buying your copy from someone with a splayed fourth finger, no heartbeat, an inability to bleed when injured, an aversion to pure oxygen and a marked tendency to glow red and disintegrate when zapped by something larger than a BB gun. That, folks, would be one of THEM!