Remember those warm summer nights spent at the drive-in movie theater 'watching' whatever it was that was showing that week and doing whatever it was that people actually did at drive-in theaters back in the day? I don't. That was a little before my time. However, just because the bygone era of the drive-in has had its run, doesn't mean that I can't enjoy a similar experience by watching some of the cinema to grace the screens during that golden age of movie fun. I mentioned last week that I was going to do something with a bit of schlock for this week's review, and here we are, but first, I want to try and define schlock a bit because I think that the term gets tossed around a lot without those people using it understanding what it really means.
Of course, here at Critical Mass, we strive for as much objectivity as possible in our pursuit to rate the media of the world so I did some poking around the Internet to see if I could find a satisfactory definition of the word schlock. I finally stumbled across one compliments of Reddit user edrenfro: "Schlock is the disconnect between the logical and the emotional parts of your mind. When a movie is objectively stupid, immature, or nonsensical, but you experience pleasure from it anyway, you call it schlock." To help drive the point, Reddit user talentpun provides a good example of schlock cinema in the mainstream. He suggests, "Great Movie - Rocky, Great Schlock - Rocky IV" I think the definition combined with the example are a pretty good start to understanding what schlock really is. However, this type of cinema is so subjective that it's really difficult to nail down an absolute definition since it's always going to vary based on the person. However, for our purposes, we'll go with what we've got, and to that end, we'll take a look at this week's film, X: The Man with the X-Ray Eyes, and see if it lived up to its schlock value, or if it just fell flat.
I had a great deal of trouble settling on X as the subject for this article, mostly because I don't feel like it adequately engenders those qualities that would define it as schlock. That is to say, it's actually good. And not in a 'so bad it's good' kind of way, but just straight up 'I expected a bad film and got a good film' kind of way. The trouble stemmed from the notion that most schlock relies pretty heavily on the exhibition of the female form in order to sell itself, and of course, there's usually crass language and gore involved as well. But I strive to review things for the most part that pretty much anyone could enjoy watching, at least on the grounds of personal values so that made this decision a bit more difficult. However, being as it was directed by Roger Corman, often considered one of the kings of schlock, its heritage is in the right place and it does use some early prototypes of elements that would eventually become staples in schlock so although I don't think it fits exactly, I think it's close enough.
The story of X is simple. Dr. James Xavier and his partner Dr. Sam Brant have been working tirelessly to develop a chemical that could extend the spectral range of human vision. When we open, Xavier is getting his eyes examined to make sure that they're still healthy. His last visit was three months prior to the present. Dr. Diane Fairfax serves as the liaison between the scientists who formulate and carry out experiments and the bureaucrats who hand out the funds for those experiments, and she starts pressing Xavier about his work and the lack of progress reports. He and she run an experiment with his latest compound so that he can prove to her that he's been making progress, and it works. A monkey dosed with the drug is able to see 3 different colored slates even when they're covered by one another. The monkey subsequently dies, but the whole thing constitutes a major breakthrough, and Fairfax is certain that this breakthrough will guarantee more funding for the project.
Xavier knows that the reason that the monkey died wasn't that there was an adverse physiological response, but rather that psychologically, and intellectually, the monkey was simply unable to process all that it was suddenly able to see, and Xavier is bent on proving it. He convinces Brant to aid him in administering the drug to himself. Brant reluctantly helps out and administers a dose of the drug to Xavier. Xavier experiences some discomfort, but ultimately is able to see a piece of paper that is beneath a folder and read what's written on it. Xavier, excited by the progress, administers another dose and overwhelms his senses. He ends up in medical care on the day that he was supposed to have pitched the continuation of his work to the board of trustees, and they subsequently deny funding. Xavier secretly keeps the drug though, and begins administering it to himself in regular doses.
A bit of time is devoted to developing a relationship between Xavier and Fairfax. The two have good chemistry on screen, and with the little bit of development, the relationship actually feels pretty natural. She sees him as a brilliant innovator, and he sees her as a grounding element in his life. The two share coffee, and attend a party together, and it's not much, but it at least establishes the relationship. Xavier's colleague, Dr. Willard Benson, who denied him funding, tells Xavier to take a look at a young woman who they'll be operating on together. Xavier realizes that the girl has been misdiagnosed and tries to warn Benson, but Benson is a stubborn professional who will not have his judgement questioned. However, during the operation, Xavier hijacks the thing, and proves he was right. Benson rightfully informs Xavier that Xavier will be charged with malpractice, but we also know that there was a ton of ego there as well. This revelation puts Xavier into a tailspin. He and Brant and Fairfax start discussing ways to correct the situation. Brant gets a bit forceful, and Xavier responds in kind, and Brant is pushed out of a window. He falls to his death, and the obvious nature of the dummy is the first indicator that we're in a schlock film
Xavier runs away from his life as a doctor and takes up an existence as an entertainer at a permanent carnival. His gimmick is reading what people wrote on pieces of paper while wearing a blindfold. Most take it as a parlor trick, but one man pushes too far, and when pushed, Xavier reveals some embarrassing information about this man. The man huffs off after being humiliated, and this catches the eye of Crane, Xavier's handler. Crane, played by Don Rickles, is only out to make as much money as he can, and he sees Xavier as a potential meal ticket. Crane's suspicions are further solidified when Xavier uses his powers to help a young woman who fell and broke some bones. He sets her leg and splints it before a doctor arrives to continue treatment. That evening, there's some philosophical talk about how others would use Xavier's abilities. One man figures that he could change the world simply by getting all the dirt on people and blackmailing them all into doing his will. Crane subtly points out that he just needs one person under his thumb, and convinces Xavier that a life as a carny is no life for someone with such incredible abilities. Xavier is duped into opening a clinic to diagnose the sick before they go to see their doctor. Crane sells it as Xavier being a healer for those who lack resources for the comprehensive care that they may need.
Once the two set up shop, Crane takes to finding clientele and it doesn't take long for Crane's cash to start flowing in. Xavier continues use of the drug, and the power becomes more acute and more unwieldy to the point where Xavier has to start wearing special glasses just to cope. Eventually, Fairfax tracks Xavier down and convinces him to run away with her. Crane is not pleased by this and threatens to expose Xavier, but I think Crane didn't really understand Xavier's real motives so that 'escape' is pretty easily pulled off. Xavier's new plan is to raise money to continue his research and hopefully figure out a way to reverse what he's done to himself. To that end, he and Fairfax go to Las Vegas and he racks up a ton of winnings at blackjack. The house manager accuses him of cheating, and calls guards over so Xavier has to create a diversion and flee. It's as he's driving erratically through the desert that we as the audience finally get a clear idea of just how far things have progressed for him. He's unable to see as humans normally would and now only sees in blinding multi-colored light.
A helicopter pursues Xavier, and eventually Xavier crashes. His crash site is near a religious tent revival that just happens to be going on, and he wanders into the show. The pastor is talking about light and sin, and after his sermon, he invites everyone to come forward and be saved. Fairfax and the police show up, and watch as Xavier talks about the things that man was never meant to see. The pastor shares a passage about plucking out the eye if it offends, and seeing this as his last hope for respite, Xavier does exactly that, off screen of course.
I must reiterate once again that I feel like I'm cheating a little this week because this was a legitimately good movie. The acting is mostly good throughout with just a few cheesy deliveries here and there. The themes are classically relevant. The movie discusses things like being measured in our pursuit of knowledge, thoroughly considering the consequences of our actions before taking them, and the dangers of seeing oneself as anything more than a delicate bundle of flesh. These themes will pretty much always be relevant in one way or another, and they're presented in a compelling way here. The dialog hearkens to 50s/60s Rod Serling style dialog, except that there's also a certain poetic nature to the deliveries, and it's a lot of fun to watch. As far as the special effects go, for 1963, they were great. They may not hold up to today's standards, but I think for the time, they accomplished what was needed, which was helping the audience to understand the metamorphosis that Xavier was experiencing, and more importantly the consequences of that metamorphosis. I've noticed that a lot of these schlock films have really short running times, and this one is no different. It clocks in at 79 minutes. I like the shorter running time because I feel like it forces everyone involved to be more succinct in how they present their film. This one clips along at a quick pace, but nothing really feels lost because of that. There are interesting turns of events to keep your attention throughout, and the tone will keep you glued as well. Also, watching Don Rickles play a bad guy was extremely unsettling as someone who's somewhat familiar with his work.
All-in-all, I'd recommend giving this one a shot. It's good sci-fi for its time, and it's a great opportunity to fill in some gaps in the evolution of one of schlock's most well-known names. It's relatively short, and it's free to stream via Amazon Prime Video if you're a prime member. I think you'll be sufficiently entertained as I was so track it down, and give it a try! And stick around to see what I've got cooking for next week!
