Nicholas B
Definitely has it's moments. Ultimately it's an oddly haunting piece. It's B movie trappings lend the film both favourable and detracting elements, and Ray Milland is dependable as usual. Loved the ending, especially the dialogue. Not exactly a classic but certainly not a waste of time.
Rated 3.5/5 Stars •
Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars
10/30/24
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Dave S
Outside of a couple of his Poe adaptations, X: The Man With the X-Ray Eyes is probably Roger Corman’s best movie. After developing a medication to enhance the abilities of the human eye, Dr. Xavier (Ray Milland) decides to test the substance on himself. Before you know it, he’s seeing through the clothes of women at parties and, more importantly, helping to cure the ill. Once you get past the hokey title and some pretty shaky visual effects, it’s actually a surprisingly impactful movie as the good doctor, strutting about with some sort of Jesus complex, eventually finds himself on the run from those who are intent on persecuting him. Milland gives a standout performance throughout, as does Don Rickles in a small supporting role, and the production values are remarkably decent when considering the low budget that Corman was probably working with.
Rated 3.5/5 Stars •
Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars
10/21/24
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Aldo G
When it was released (I was five years old), my mother and I walked in at the conclusion of the movie. I was horrified. Today, the film is less horrific, but a testament to the good work of writer/director Roger Corman.
Rated 3/5 Stars •
Rated 3 out of 5 stars
06/10/24
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Thom G
The Man with the X-Rays is an outstanding low-budget sci-fi/horror film. It revolves around a fascinating problem, both scientifically and philosophically, which is compellingly developed throughout the film, provoking reflection. The film is engaging and Ray Milland's remarkable performance adds significant depth to his character, allowing the viewer to relate to his problems, choices, and obsessions. "I've come to tell you what I see..." Damn, what a memorable scene!
Rated 4.5/5 Stars •
Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars
06/07/24
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Matt R
"I've come to tell you what I see. There are great darknesses, farther than time itself..."
I've experimented on myself by having seen five Roger Corman pictures in the last couple weeks. The latest movie I opened my eyes to is 1963's "X The Man with the X-Ray Eyes". Now I can say what I see. The "King of Shlock" is really a genius of low budget filmmaking.
"X The Man with the X Ray Eyes" won the "Silver Spaceship" Astronave D'argento award at the first International Festival of Science Fiction Film and for good reason. Academy Award winning actor Ray Milland (Billy Wilder's The Lost Weekend) stars as a doctor who experiments on himself to be able to see what no other man can. He ends up seeing far more than he bargained for.
The writing and acting are visibly some of the best ever for a low budget flick. "Presented in Pathe'Color and Spectarama" with cinematography by another Oscar winner Floyd Crosby (Tabu: A Story of the High Seas) is a visual delight. Sometimes the images are gruesome and disturbing as you see through Dr. Xavier's eyes. Other times, his point of view is playful and sexy, like at the party where he can suddenly see through people's clothes.
Don Rickles is also great as Crane the carnival barker who puts the good doctor to work as Mr Mentallo.
"X" is a thoughtful, sometimes disturbing, wonderfully entertaining picture worth seeing.
"... And beyond the darkness, a light that glows and changes. And in the center of the universe, the eye that sees us all."
Rated 4/5 Stars •
Rated 4 out of 5 stars
03/31/24
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Matthew D
Utterly fascinating with pretty cool see through eye effects!
American director Roger Corman's science-fiction horror thriller X: The Man with the X-Ray Eyes (1963) is a fantastic old classic. Corman can stretch a dollar more than any other low budget director. Corman's focused direction is enthralling as he explores the dangers of a mad doctor without ethics. The see through sequences are so cool and I loved the 60's party. Writers Robert Dillon and Ray Russell contemplate a mad doctor playing god by giving himself X-Ray eyes. It's interesting how they build up his attempts at helping others, getting money, going madder, addicted to the power, and the greed, skepticism, or charity of others. The script is excellently written and highly imaginative in my opinion.
Corman has editor Anthony Carras cut to these neat colorful lenses for the see through organ shots and cute nude flesh for when he looks through clothes. The clever montages of looking at organs are awesome. This is the embodiment of a crowd pleaser. I can imagine how it did well with audiences at drive-in theaters in the 60's on a low budget with these fun scenes. Cinematographer Floyd Crosby's sleek panning shots, creative eye perspectives, and moody noir aesthetics. Producer Roger Corman got amazing films made on hardly anything and X looks incredible and is gripping. X is 79 minutes of strong character drama and wildly creative filmmaking. It would pair well with the original film noir Nightmare Alley.
Welsh actor Ray Milland is fantastic as the crazy Dr. James Xavier. His obsession with being able to see people is fascinating. Milland leans into the nurturing healer, helpless fool, smart doctor, and mad scientist aspects of Xavier. He gives his all to this little horror picture. Canadian actress Diana Van der Vlis is gorgeous as the blonde Dr. Diane Fairfax. She is an intelligent medical foil for Xavier, a sweet love interest, and an ethical counterpart to all his mad ravings. I found Diana Van der Vlis absolutely captivating every moment she's on screen. She looks so much like Trish Van Devere or Tippi Hedren.
Harold J. Stone is great as the concerned eye doctor and Xavier's best friend Dr. Sam Brant. John Hoyt is solid as the stern Dr. Willard Benson. Don Rickles is hilarious as the shady carnival con artist Crane. He's just sleazy and underhanded enough to be believable. Lorrie Summers is lovely as the playful blonde Party Dancer. She looks like January Jones! Dick Miller gets a fabulous cameo as the skeptic John Trask in the carnival scene. Jonathan Haze's humorous Heckler is amusing alongside Miller. Kathryn Hart is very kindly and frail as old Mrs. Mart. Barboura Morris is nice as the pleasant Nurse.
Production designer Daniel Haller makes cluttered scientific laboratories, carnival displays, and dusty old apartments. Art director Daniel Haller's stylized shots for the eye viewing parts are so creative and varied with all sorts of colors and ideas on screen. Composer Les Baxter's sinister film score fits the unsettling atmosphere. Costume designer Marjorie Corso gives all the guys nice 60's suits and the ladies the most colorful and stunning skirts, dresses, and suits. I loved Milland's psychic eye headband and robes. Makeup artist Ted Coodley ensures Diana Van der Vlis has the prettiest pink blush and red lipstick. Betty Pedretti's hairstyling gives the actresses pretty huge 60's mod hair that's fun to see.
Overall, X is outstanding with genuinely creative direction from the mighty Roger Corman.
Rated 5/5 Stars •
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
09/01/23
Full Review
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