Doctor X

Production year: 1932

Horror PG   Running time: 1:16 

IMDB rating:   6.5     Aspect: 4:3;  Languages: English;  Subtitles: English, French, Spanish;  Audio: Mono

A good early effort by Michael Curtiz concerning the "Moon Killer" murders in which the victims are strangled, cannibalized and surgically dissected under the light of the full moon. Wise-cracking reporter Lee Tracy traces the clues to a spooky seaside mansion, where Dr. Xavier (Lionel Atwill) and his colleagues are conducting strange experiments. Made in early two-strip Technicolor, the film is wonderfully atmospheric, and the sets themselves will linger in your mind. Aside from the irritating Lee Tracy as reporter Lee Taylor, the acting is crisp and to the point. Atwill in particular is eerie. Fay Wray is good as Xavier's daughter. I won't give any more of the plot away, but just remember the phrase "synthetic flash." Once heard, it will linger in the mind always.

Director

Features

Audio commentary
Featurettes/Behind-The-Scenes/Documentaries
Trailers/TV spots

Special features

Audio Commentary By Horror Scholar Scott MacQueen
Separately filmed B&W version
Featurette: The Horror Films of Michael Curtiz
UCLA before/after restoration reel
Commentaries by author/film historian Alan K. Rode and Scott MacQueen, head of preservation UCLA film & television archive
Doctor X