The Return of Doctor X

Starring: Wayne Morris, Rosemaey Lane, Humphrey Bogart, Dennis Morgan, John Litel, Lya Lys, Huntz Hall
Directed by: Vincent Sherman
Rating: Approved
Genre: Horror
1939

Times Seen:
Tim: 1

Summary: A reporter and doctor begin investigating a mystery that soon takes a horrific turn.

Review:

Tim: It's interesting to me that Warner Bros. released Doctor X in 1932, and then 7 years later, release The Return of Doctor X, which is not a sequel and is unrelated to the earlier film. The two movies do share thematic similarities, so a double feature won't feel completely out of the quest. However, this is definitely not a sequel. The movie even has a plausible and solid explanation for why Doctor X even needs to return. As far as this movie itself, I probably liked it a bit better than I should have. Sure, it has flaws, but it felt like a solid 1930s horror effort. It feels a bit paint-by-numbers, but I had moments of feeling entertained, too. This isn't a good movie, but it's a solidly decent one.

The script does a nice of job of creating some central mysteries that hold our attention. There's really two protagonists, a reporter and a doctor, who team up to uncover the truth. The reporter starts out a bit buffoonish, as he's involved in an inexplicable mystery that threatens his career. He's played almost for laughs at times. The tone shifts as the movie progresses and he pulls in his young doctor friend. The doctor is more of the straitlaced 30s protagonist we've come to expect. He's smart, kind, determined. He's also fairly boring. So, we have our protagonists- one more serious, one a bit funnier. Their banter is okay, but it's never great. They bring along a nurse, who never feels like she gets to do anything and actually spends a solid portion of the film waiting in a car. Wayne Morris, Dennis Morgan, and Rosemary Lane bring these characters to life. They're all totally fine, but unremarkable. Morris gets the most chance to act, but I never really loved his character. Morgan is firm, but rigid in his role and Lane doesn't get to do enough. The main cast members are average.

What makes this film noteworthy is that Humphrey Bogart plays a supporting role. This was his only horror film. It's not a great part and Bogart was likely miscast. He gives a solid effort, but he's not as creepy or mysterious as he needed to be. He'd made a ton of films at this point, but this is obviously one that he felt displeased with. You get the sense that his heart wasn't in the role, even if he does put effort into playing it. John Litel is another doctor involved. I found Bogart and Litel to be more intriguing than the main cast, so while the film is hurt by the former three, it's definitely helped to some extent by these supporting players. I probably did enjoy the movie more because Bogart was in such an odd role. It felt unique and intriguing.

The story itself is farfetched and pushes the boundaries of science fiction. It's nothing out of the ordinary for the late 1930s, although it does all feel a bit quaint and silly by today's standards. The actors try their best to sell it, and I was fairly interested in seeing how the mystery unraveled and the narrative concluded. The movie is helped by its 1 hour, 3 minute run time. It ends before it can overstay its welcome.

I admit, I thought The Return of Doctor X was a decent horror film. I never loved it, but watching it wasn't a chore, either. Sure, it's a bit too forgettable, but it's a serviceable piece of entertainment. It's close, but not quite as good as the unrelated Doctor X. Still, flaws and all, this is a film I appreciated getting to see.

Rating 1-10
Tim's Rating: 6.5



If You Enjoyed This Movie, We Recommend:
Doctor X, Ninotchka