X (1963)

A doctor uses special eye drops to give himself x-ray vision, but the new power has disastrous consequences.

Director:

Roger Corman

Writers:

Robert Dillon (screenplay), Ray Russell (screenplay)

Stars:

Ray Milland, Diana Van der Vlis, Harold J. Stone

2 nominations.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Ray Milland	...	Dr. James Xavier
Diana Van der Vlis	...	Dr. Diane Fairfax (as Diana van der Vlis)
Harold J. Stone	...	Dr. Sam Brant
John Hoyt	...	Dr. Willard Benson
Don Rickles	...	Crane

Storyline

Dr. James Xavier is a world renowned scientist experimenting with human eyesight. He devises a drug, that when applied to the eyes, enables the user to see beyond the normal realm of our sight (ultraviolet rays etc.) it also gives the user the power to see through objects. Xavier tests this drug on himself, when his funding is cut off. As he continues to test the drug on himself, Xavier begins to see, not only through walls and clothes, but through the very fabric of reality!

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Plot Keywords:

x ray vision | b movie | h.p. lovecraft | mad scientist | blackjack game | 

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Taglines:

Suddenly he could see through clothes, flesh... and walls!

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Genres:

Horror | Sci-Fi | Thriller

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Did You Know?

Trivia

The final chase scene involving Ray Milland's erratic driving took place on Soledad Canyon Road between the cities of Santa Clarita and Acton in California--the same place where nearly the entire film Duel (1971) was filmed.

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Goofs

When Dr. X operates on the little girl, his hands get no blood on them whatsoever.

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Quotes

Preacher: Are you a sinner? Do you wish to be saved?
Dr. James Xavier: Saved? No. I've come to tell you what I see. There are great darknesses. Farther than time itself. And beyond the darkness... a light that glows, changes... and in the center of the universe... the eye that sees us all.
[Looks up at the sky]
Dr. James Xavier: No!
Preacher: You see sin and the devil! But the lord has told us what to do about it. Said Matthew in Chapter Five, "If thine eye offends thee... pluck it out!"

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Alternate Versions

Through an apparent lab error, some of the 16mm U.S. television syndication prints had the ending credits in Spanish.

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Connections

Referenced in Video Violence (1987)

User Reviews

Classic sci-fi shocker has Rickles in one of his best roles

This is one of my favorite Roger Corman flicks. Brisk pace and many surprises. Don Rickles as a ruthless carny exploiteer is one of them. Milland wears more and more ridiculous sunglasses as the movie progresses.

Seriously, this is one of Don Rickles' best performances -- it shows that he could have gone in a totally different direction than he followed for most of his career (as an "insult comedian") if he had wanted to. I imagine that his appearance in the film had something to do with his contract with AIP, but I still think it's a bit of VERY inspired casting (regardless of the financial reasons that may have been behind it).

Milland is also excellent in the type of role that suits him to a T... he gets to be kind of a Dr. Frankenstein here, convinced he's doing good for humanity but making himself into a monster in the process.

A memorable story with a meaning.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

19 September 1963 (USA)

Also Known As:

Man with the X-Ray Eyes

Filming Locations:

Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$250,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Alta Vista Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

79 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Pathécolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1