The Return of Doctor X (1939)A hotshot reporter and a young doctor team up to investigate a series of grisly murders and a mysterious sample of synthetic blood. Director:Vincent Sherman |
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The Return of Doctor X (1939)A hotshot reporter and a young doctor team up to investigate a series of grisly murders and a mysterious sample of synthetic blood. Director:Vincent Sherman |
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| Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
| Humphrey Bogart | ... |
Marshall Quesne
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Rosemary Lane | ... |
Joan Vance
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| Wayne Morris | ... |
Walter Garrett
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Dennis Morgan | ... |
Michael Rhodes
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| John Litel | ... |
Dr. Francis Flegg
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Lya Lys | ... |
Angela Merrova
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Huntz Hall | ... |
Pinky
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Charles C. Wilson | ... |
Detective Roy Kincaid
(as Charles Wilson)
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Vera Lewis | ... |
Miss Sweetman
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Howard C. Hickman | ... |
Chairman
(scenes deleted) (as Howard Hickman)
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Olin Howland | ... |
Undertaker
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Arthur Aylesworth | ... |
Guide
(scenes deleted)
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Cliff Saum | ... |
Detective Sergeant Moran
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Creighton Hale | ... |
Hotel Manager
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John Ridgely | ... |
Rodgers
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New York newspaper reporter Walter Barnett finds himself out of a job after he claims to have found actress Angela Merrova dead in her apartment - only the next day she showed up alive and threatened to sue the paper. Determined to investigate he discovers her involvement with a strange doctor who is an expert on human blood. Barnett then finds a connection to a series of gruesome murders where the victims were all found drained of blood. Written by Col Needham <col@imdb.com>
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.