Doctor X (1932)

Dr. X meets the Moon Killer, 4 February 2005

I just love these old, dark house style horror/mystery/thrillers from the 30s. In this one, Lionel Atwill plays Dr. Xavier, the head of a surgical research institute. A series of brutal killings committed by a gruesome figure, nicknamed the 'Moon Killer', points to someone within the institute. The police allow Dr. X the chance to perform an experiment to uncover the killer. Dr. X decides to move the experiment to an old, dark house in order to avoid the prying eyes of the press. The 'press' is played by Lee Tracy in that 30s wise-cracking, fast-talking way that all newspaper men were portrayed. (I was immediately reminded of Glenda Farrell from The Mystery of the Wax Museum, only in this case Lee Tracy is even more annoying.) As the experiment begins, it soon become apparent that the police were right. Someone within the house is a killer, but who? Any more of the story would be too much.

Although the movie is not without flaws, I found Doctor X very enjoyable. The supporting cast includes Fay Wray as Dr. X's daughter. She does her best to prove she was the original 'scream queen'. Also, the staff members/suspects are all wonderfully played in eccentric fashion.

Other things I enjoyed and found to be above average were the set design and the makeup. The set design is impressive. The manor house has everything one comes to expect in this kind of movie. It only adds to the wonderful atmosphere. Also, I felt the makeup (done by Max Factor) was ahead of its time. I found it far more frightening than most movies from this period.

The director, Michael Curtiz, does a wonderful job of building the tension in the final scenes. Very impressive. I really can't say enough about how well he pulled this together with the seemingly limited budget he was working with. (BTW, Curtiz went on to direct such a variety of movies that it really boggles the mind. Included on his resume are the previously mention Mystery of the Wax Museum, The Walking Dead with Boris Karloff, Casablanca, and Elvis in King Creole.)

7/10