The Return of Doctor X Blu-ray Review
Warner Archive Collection
Score: 75
from 2 reviewers
Review Date:
Vincent Sherman's The Return of Doctor X offers a curious horror/mystery blend with Bogart's notorious vampire role, highlighted by Warner Archive's high-quality Blu-ray release.
Disc Release Date
DTS-HD MA
Video: 91
Warner Archive's brilliant Blu-ray release of 'The Return of Doctor X' features a 1080p transfer from a pristine 4K scan, retaining the film's natural grain and moody cinematography with excellent detail, robust blacks, and high contrast, though minor macro blocking and posterization are present.
Audio: 81
The DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 mix delivers an era-appropriate, well-balanced presentation with crisp dialogue, integrated sound effects, and a musical score by Bernhard Kaun, offset by minimal limitations like occasional hiss and flutter, maintaining historical ambiance.
Extra: 46
The Blu-ray extras for 'The Return of Doctor X' feature a highly engaging commentary by Dr. Steve Haberman and the late director Vincent Sherman, offering insights into the film's production and legacy. Two restored Merrie Melodies shorts and a unique theatrical trailer with alternate scenes provide an enriched viewing experience.
Movie: 61
The Return of Doctor X, though not a direct sequel, combines breezy comedy and horror with Vincent Sherman's debut direction, featuring a paradoxical performance by Bogart in his sole horror role. There are engaging elements like moody cinematography and comedic interludes amidst a plot that never fully embraces its villainous potential.
Video: 91
The Blu-ray video presentation of "The Return of Doctor X" is a near-pristine display of classic cinema, enhanced by Warner Archive's meticulous new 1080p transfer sourced from a fresh 4K scan of the original nitrate camera negative. This restoration process has been executed with precision, preserving the film's inherent grain and ensuring a cinematic experience that aligns with its original exhibition. The visuals exhibit excellent fine detail and robust black levels, deeply aligned with the moody cinematography and noir elements intertwined with touches of German Expressionism. The disc encodes the transfer at a commendably high bit rate on a dual-layered disc, though minor macro-blocking and posterization are noted but do not detract significantly from the overall viewing quality.
The presentation respects the film’s original 1.37:1 theatrical aspect ratio, delivered through a crisp and detailed 1080p transfer utilizing the AVC codec. The grayscale rendition offers an impressive mix of deep blacks and pure whites, resulting in visuals that are both vibrant and faithful to the director's intent. Age-related deteriorations such as dirt, dust, scratches, and splices are notably absent, marking this transfer as a substantial improvement over its previous DVD release in Warner Bros.' 2006 Hollywood Legends of Horror Collection. The film is divided into 20 chapters, providing a seamless viewing experience that both purists and new audiences can appreciate.
Audio: 81
The Blu-ray's DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 mix provides a competent representation of the film's original one-channel source material. Despite its age-related limitations, the audio presentation effectively delivers crisp dialogue and balances this with era-appropriate sound effects. The integration of Bernhard Kaun's score, known for its association with The Walking Dead, further enriches the auditory experience by maintaining a balance that highlights its atmospheric, period-specific charm. The absence of modern embellishments aligns with the film’s historical context, offering a workmanlike yet faithful audio narrative.
Though the overall sound design is commendably executed, small yet noticeable flaws persist, including soft hiss in quieter scenes and momentary audio flutter. These issues, however, do not significantly undermine the viewing experience. The optional English (SDH) subtitles are exclusively available during the main feature, providing valuable accessibility without compromising the film's auditory authenticity. This presentation remains true to its roots, evoking the film's historical setting while accommodating modern audio expectations.
Extras: 46
The Blu-Ray extras for "The Return of Doctor X" offer a compelling mix that will appeal to fans and collectors alike, providing valuable insights and entertainment. The disc includes an audio commentary that pairs the late director Vincent Sherman with film historian Dr. Steve Haberman. Their discussion illuminates the film’s development, production, and legacy, effectively blending Sherman's personal anecdotes with Haberman’s extensive research. This track is both informative and engaging, suitable for both new listeners and those familiar with the commentary. Additionally, the inclusion of restored classic cartoons adds a charming historical context, while the original theatrical trailer presents unique alternative angles and unused scenes that intrigue and captivate.
Extras included in this disc:
- Audio Commentary: Film historian Dr. Steve Haberman moderates an insightful discussion with director Vincent Sherman.
- Classic Cartoons: Restored Merrie Melodies shorts provide nostalgic entertainment.
- Original Theatrical Trailer: Features alternative angles and unused scenes.
Movie: 61
Vincent Sherman's "The Return of Doctor X," debuting on Blu-ray, is a peculiar blend of comedic thriller and horror, remembered notably for Humphrey Bogart’s rare venture into the horror genre. The film, often misconceived as a sequel to the 1932 "Doctor X," positions Bogart not as the lead but as an eerie supporting figure. His portrayal of Marshall Quesne, a sinister assistant with pallid complexion and murder on his mind, adds an unconventional layer to this 62-minute narrative. Despite the film's limited running time, it manages to craft a convoluted plot, centered around the antics of an ambitious journalist, Walter Garrett, and his confidant, Dr. Mike Rhodes, who delve into bizarre occurrences involving corpse resurrection and sinister blood experiments.
Sherman demonstrates commendable craftsmanship in balancing slapstick elements with chilling narratives. The screenplay, penned by Lee Katz and based on William J. Makin’s story, weaves a tapestry of bizarre and comedic threads that keep audiences intrigued. Noteworthy scenes include the chilling resurrection experiment in a mortuary and an atmospheric climax in a New Jersey swamp. The movie is artistically enriched by its stylized studio sets, replete with eerie electric labs and characters drenched in unsettling sweatiness. The narrative thrives on the charismatic duo of Morris's endearing journalist and Morgan's earnest doctor, supplying levity against the gloomier thematic elements.
Though Bogart's displeasure with the role is palpable, his performance as Doctor X remains a curiously captivating highlight. While second-billed Rosemary Lane as the love interest appears underutilized, supporting performances from Huntz Hall and Charles Wilson add depth and humor. Overall, "The Return of Doctor X," though situated in an awkward space between comedy and horror, delivers enough suspenseful twists and engaging performances to maintain an enduring curiosity among classic film enthusiasts.
Total: 75
The Warner Archive Blu-ray release of "The Return of Doctor X" expertly resurrects a classic film with remarkable audiovisual fidelity. This high-definition debut does justice to Vincent Sherman's curious horror/mystery adventure, showcasing inspired performances, including Humphrey Bogart's unconventional role as a vampire—a casting choice that intrigues yet leaves some disappointed by its unorthodoxy. The film, which diverges from its titular predecessor, "Doctor X," by drawing on a separate literary source, combines elements of mild horror and mystery, offering an entertaining escape despite its narrative missteps.
The technical presentation of the Blu-ray is exemplary, ensuring that the film's era-specific ambiance and visual nuances are preserved and enhanced for modern viewers. The transfer maintains clean visuals and clear sound, attributing to a satisfying viewing experience, which is further enriched by the archival extras that accompany the disc. These features provide enthusiasts with deeper insights into the production, cast, and creative choices, making it a valuable addition for cinephiles and fans of classic cinema.
In conclusion, while "The Return of Doctor X" may not be a direct sequel to its predecessor, nor entirely fulfilling Bogart's potential, it stands as an intriguing piece of cinema history. Warner Archive's Blu-ray edition is commendable for its first-rate technical quality and supplementary content. It offers a nostalgic journey back to the cinematic sensibilities of its time and presents a compelling case for rediscovery. Enthusiasts of vintage horror and mystery films will find it a noteworthy and enjoyable addition to their collections.
Blu-ray.com review by Randy Miller IIIRead review here
Video: 90
Since both films feature moody cinematography and similar elements of nor filmmaking in addition to a touch of German Expressionism, you can take my base evaluation of that other film and apply it to just...
Audio: 90
Similarly, the DTS-HD 2.0 Master Audio mix does a fine job with its one-channel source material, which is forgivably limited by its age but nonetheless gets the job done with largely crisp dialogue, well-balanced...
Extras: 50
The end result is an entertaining and informative track, one that clearly benefits from having a mixture of perspectives including their shared accounts of the film's early development (which includes...
Movie: 60
and if nothing else, his true colors only account for a surprisingly small portion of the film's already slim running time....
Total: 70
It might normally be fine enough on its own merits and kind of stands up as a curious horror/mystery hybrid, and the odd stunt casting of contract player Humphrey Bogart as a vampire is both the most intriguing...
Home Theater Forum review by Matt HoughRead review here
Video: 100
Visuals look crisp and detailed throughout, and the grayscale is moodily resplendent with its deep black levels and pure whites....
Audio: 80
Dialogue has been well recorded and has been mixed quite professionally with Bernhard Kaun’s background music and the appropriate sound effects into a single track....
Extras: 50
Audio Commentary: film historian Dr. Steve Haberman hosts director Vincent Sherman who’s interviewed through much of the film about his career....
Movie: 70
During that time, Angela Merrorva dies twice, the buddy duo find themselves in the shuddery confines of both a mortuary and a graveyard, we’re witness to an experiment where a rabbit in the throes of rigor...
Total: 70
The Warner Archive Blu-ray of Vincent Sherman’s The Return of Doctor X brings one of Humphrey Bogart’s most notorious performances to high definition for the first time on disc....
Director: Vincent Sherman
Actors: Humphrey Bogart, Rosemary Lane, Wayne Morris
PlotA young newspaper reporter, Walter Garrett, stumbles upon a sensational murder case involving a famous actress, Angela Merrova, who is found dead in her apartment. Seeking a scoop, Walter immediately calls in his editor and the police, only to be met with disbelief. The mystery deepens when the supposedly murdered Angela appears very much alive the next day. Puzzled, Walter enlists the help of his friend, Dr. Mike Rhodes, to delve deeper into the bizarre circumstances surrounding Angela's death and resurrection. The investigation leads them to Dr. Francis Flegg, an enigmatic scientist whose unorthodox experiments have pushed ethical boundaries. As they dig further, they encounter Dr. Maurice Xavier—Flegg's peculiar and secretive assistant—whose unsettling demeanor raises suspicions.
Determined to uncover the truth, Walter and Dr. Rhodes follow a trail of clues that suggests a diabolical scheme involving blood transfusions and reanimation. As more victims begin to appear with similar bloodless conditions, their pursuit becomes increasingly dangerous. Time is running out, and Walter must piece together the puzzle before more lives are lost to the sinister experiments. The investigation takes unexpected turns, forcing Walter and Dr. Rhodes to confront terrifying possibilities and suspicious figures in their desperate quest to halt the macabre activities. With mounting tension and intrigue, the hunt for answers becomes a race against time to stop an otherworldly threat lurking in the shadows.
Writers: Lee Katz, William J. Makin
Release Date: 02 Dec 1939
Runtime: 62 min
Rating: Approved
Country: United States
Language: English