Directed By Vincent Sherman
SYNOPSIS
A wise-cracking reporter (Wayne Morris) goes to visit a socialite (Lya Lys,) but finds her dead. He breaks the story and is forced to apologize (and loses his job) when she shows up to the paper to complain, even though she's as pale as a dead person. His doctor friend Mike (Dennis Morgan) is called on to help investigate another murder with a bloodless body. Mike consults with his superior Dr. Flegg (John Litel,) where he meets a bizarre, clammy, pale faced blood expert Dr. Quesne (Humphrey Bogart.) The grotesque man piques both their interest... as more dead, bloodless bodies turn up.
Despite the name, Return of Doctor X is in no way related to the 1932 film Doctor X.
There are a few similarities. The unfunny, annoying-as-hell reporter and a trail of unexplained deaths are all that the two horror films have in common... except, of course, both films aren't very good.
'Return' is best known for being Humphrey Bogart's least favorite and most unusual role. The skunk-like white streak in his hair, the pale shiny complexion and that rabbit he always carries define the unusual character. Despite the unusual role, he meets his end in a remarkably similar way to all the supporting, snarly gangster roles he played at this time in his career. Bogie openly spoke of his hatred of the role, but he is effectively unsettling in it.
The plot is ridiculous. It relies on humor too much to balance the horror to appeal to a mass audience.
This is the most clear in Wayne Morris' role. He is far too annoying to be a good hero for the story. Thankfully, Dennis Morgan is able to fill that role as the no-nonsense doctor... but he is given little more than science and medicine to focus on.
'Return' is one of those so-bad-it's-good type of films and must bee seen to be believed.
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment