Jacob's 31 Days of Halloween - Day 20: X: The Man with X-Ray Eyes
Another Roger Corman film, but instead of his typical tongue-in-cheek approach, this one is actually quite tragic.
Ray Milland plays an ambitious scientist who invents a chemical that allows him to have x-ray vision. It starts with what a Corman film about x-ray vision would typically have: a party where Milland can see everyone naked (but it's 1963 so it's lots of backs and legs). He also has a very funny dance that I think is worth mentioning. But his mind quickly deteriorates and he goes from a doctor to a carnival worker, eventually landing on being a Vegas gambler. It's a very full, depressing character arc that Corman manages to pack into less than an hour and a half. It's pretty brilliant.
Milland is fantastic, as he is wont to be, but the most surprising performances comes from Don Rickles, who plays a creepy sleazeball unbelievably well. Dick Miller also shows up again, officially solidifying himself as an MVP of the month for me.
This an underseen, underrated gem that I absolutely recommend. It accomplishes so much with so little that it (ironically enough) has to be seen to be believed.
No comments:
Post a Comment