Il ritorno del dottor X

...and I almost can never say that about post-code sequels to precode movies. This really isn't a horror film - it's more of a mystery. A doctor has a mysterious ashen-faced assistant with a Bride-of-Frankenstein like streak of gray in his hair. The assistant seems to always be lurking about, and even though the doctor would obviously like to get rid of this guy for some reason he does not. On top of that, a young woman turns up on the doctor's doorstep one night with this same ashen appearance. She passes out and the doctor instantly knows what to do to restore her to health. Whatever is going on here? Wise-cracking Wayne Morris as reporter Walter Garrett is on the trail of the mystery, and although Morris is no Lee Tracy (Lee Tracy was the reporter in the original) he does a good job. Do note that this is not at all a sequel to the original Dr. X from 1933. In fact I think it's better. I thought the original was slow and somewhat creaky and I've seen far better showcases for the wonderful Lee Tracy than Dr. X.

Of course, the real reason to watch this film is that the ashen-faced assistant is played by Humphrey Bogart in one of the many roles he was ordered into by Jack Warner while he watched James Cagney get meatier showcases. I've always liked this one and it's not just because of Bogey.

Fans of Bogey like to Scoff at this "Miscasting" and Bogart would Demean and Destroy this Movie at the Drop of a Hat, but...Bogart shows Range and Style and is as Creepy as They Come.

Playing a Resurrected Mad Scientist with a Blood Craving Disease He manages to Steal the Movie. Not that Hard considering it is not really a Return or Sequel, the Dated Comedy elements Threaten to Sink the Thing from the start, and this Short LIttle B-Picture was not really Warner Brothers Forte.

It's a genuine Horror Film nonetheless with enough Lurid and Scary elements to Sustain the Shortcomings. Although Bogart makes it His Film, some others also Impress. John Litel as the Serious Scientist trying to Find a Cure for Diseased Blood and Lya Lys as an Actress falling Victim to the Madness shines in few Brief Scenes.

Can be Appreciated Out of Context for Humphrey Bogart's Iconic Career and the Comedy inclusions Ignored, This is a Pretty Good Entry in Thirties Horror.

Had this film not cast Humphrey Bogart as the title mad scientist, this film would probably regarded as just another 1930's big studio "B" thriller. Bogart tries hard , but he is Bogart, and its just to hard to take seeing him playing an executed mad scientist brought back from the dead who is now a scientific vampire. Supposedly, Boris Karloff was slated to play the title role, but was not available.

I have to admit I was very impressed with the films art direction (credited to Esdras Hartley.) The laboratory of Dr. Flegg consists of a maze of glass tubes dripping a dark fluid in beakers, and has the look of a giant circulatory system, reflecting the films emphasis on blood.

Hollywood legend has it that Bogart was having trouble with WB brass at the time with the type roles they were giving him. The WB brass wanted to punish him by casting him in this and KING OF THE UNDERWORLD in order show Bogie who was boss.

As others have pointed out, this really isn't a sequel to the 1932 film "Doctor X." Too bad....it might have been better had it been. Not that this is bad; it isn't, but isn't anything to write home about, either. Thanfully, it's only 62 minutes. Had this been 20 minutes longer, it would have been a yawner.

First, for a "horror" picture, this isn't much horror. Actually there is no horror, nothing in here that is going to frighten the most timid of souls. The only strange- looking person is Humphrey Bogart and all classic film buffs will do is laugh when they see "Bogie" in here. With a plastic-looking face and some weird hair coloring, you want to laugh out loud when you first see him.

Wayne Morris and Dennis Morgan are the real stars of the film. They are in almost every scene, with Morris as reporter "Walter 'Wichita' Garrett" and Morgan as "Dr. Mike Rhodes." John Litel plays a Dr. Frankenstein-type character in "Dr. Flegg," a key member of this cast.

This movie is almost all talk until the 59-minute mark when "Dr. X" makes a run for it and gets involved in gunfire. Yet, it's never boring, either. The scenes move quickly from place to place and plays more like a crime film than anything else. Typical of early '30s crime movies, we get some corny humor from one of the characters, in this case from Morris.

Kudos to the Hollywood Legends Of Horror series to make this DVD transfer so nice looking. It's part of an attractive package of 1930s horror films.

You've got to see it to believe it. Bogie in makeup looking ghostly white with a white streak in his hair, in a combination Frankenstein and vampire horror film. It actually happened, due to knuckleheads at Warner Bros. who put him in this film against his wishes. I was amused as well as amazed throughout, and enjoyed watching Bogie stroke his pet rabbit and playing it all straight. Others in the cast (Wayne Morris, Rosemary Lane and Dennis Morgan) were fine, but Bogie is the only reason to see this movie. Be prepared to shake your head in disbelief.

The movie must have gone through some heavy editing, because there were many credit errors. First, the end credits bill Wayne Morris as Walter Barnett, but he is called Walter Garrett in the movie throughout and that name is also printed in newspapers several times. Next, Charles Wilson is billed as Detective Ray Kincaid, but he is called Roy throughout. Finally, many of the actors who were supposed to be in the movie never turn up, including two who were credited onscreen - Howard Hickman and Arthur Aylesworth.