Quick Reviews: The Return of Doctor X (1939)

I had no plans to watch or Review this Movie, but when someone leaves it on the DVR, I must abide.  Should you remember this nearly 8 Decades old Film?

A 'Cub Reporter' (although he looks like he's 35) goes to interview an Actress, but finds her dead.

He reports it...to his Paper and then calls the Police.  Our Hero!

The Actress appears alive, getting him fired.

Another murder happens the next day and fate- or lazy Writing- keeps the ex-Reporter involved.  He sees the lead Doctor- also consulted- and his strange assistant.

Yes, that is Humphrey Bogart.  And yes, that is why he chose to watch the Film.

Bogey was once quoted about the Film and said this  "This is one of the pictures that made me march in to [Warner Bros. studio chief Jack L. Warner] and ask for more money again. You can't believe what this one was like. I had a part that somebody like Bela Lugosi or Boris Karloff should have played. I was this doctor, brought back to life, and the only thing that nourished this poor bastard was blood. If it had been Jack Warner's blood or [Harry Warner's] or [Sam Warner's] maybe I wouldn't have minded as much. The trouble was, they were drinking mine and I was making this stinking movie."

As the ex-Reporter and the Surgeon try to solve the case, they keep running into the other Doctor.

What is his connection to the suddenly-not-dead Actress and the Lead Doctor?

The Doctor reveals his big secret- he can resurrect the dead!  All he needs is a big shock and synthetic blood.

Will Doctor X- I mean, that's not a surprise, right?- get one more victim or will he be stopped in time?

To find out, watch this Classic Film.

A weird footnote in Film History.  Bogart is known for The Maltese Falcon and Casablanca.  What the hell is he doing in The Return of Doctor X?   Depending on what source you read- and records aren't exactly widespread for a Film this old- he was cast either 1) because Boris Karloff dropped out or 2) the Studio heads wanted to punish Bogart.  Whatever the reason- I kind of like it.  Should he be playing this part?  No.  Is it kind of amazing to see him in his one and only role like this?  Yes!  So much of this Film is very weird to watch in 2018.  They talk about this 'new' Science of Blood Types and sorting the Donors into 4 Groups.  They mention that someone is 'a Professional Donor,' but then show that donating blood involves being put under for Surgery.  Is that how you would want to make your living?  The whole idea of how Doctor X is brought back and why is also silly.  The whole thing has a goofy charm, but does also deliver many solid moments.  The conceit to keep the Reporter in the Film is silly, but the Film definitely benefits from having someone with his spunk and personality in it.  The Doctors- that aren't X- are pretty dry and he livens things up.  This is also a Film about a ghoulish Doctor killing people for their blood, so it needs some levity!  Is this a great Film?  No.  Is it some train wreck of a Film?  No.  It's an amazing bit of Film History that should be celebrated though, regardless of how you feel about it.  Plus, it gave us this bizarre bit of nightmare fuel...

Despite being derided as a 'bad Film,' I kind of enjoyed it.  The oddity of Bogart as an evil Mad Scientist is enough to make you at least watch it and decide for yourself.