DOCTOR X (1932)
Article #34 by Dave Sindelar
Viewing date: 4-19-2001
Posting date: 9-1-2001

A series of cannibalistic murders are being committed, and the source of the murders seems to be a medical institute run by Dr. Xavier (Lionel Atwill). Xavier gets the police to agree to let him try to solve the mystery by hooking the suspects up to a machine that will measure their reactions to a recreation of the murder with the help of his daughter (Fay Wray). A real murder takes place during the first attempt, so the second time, the suspects are handcuffed to their chairs.

This movie features the horror film debuts of both Lionel Atwill and Fay Wray. It was directed by Michael Curtiz and shot in two-strip technicolor, which gives the movie a very unique look. The movie is a lot of fun, and even the somewhat ridiculous “Ssssynthetic Flessssh” sequence works well enough within the context of the film. I wouldn’t place it in the very top line of thirties horror movies, but it’s a fairly solid entry nonetheless.