Hi, Everyone, So you need a new face and you know a guy who has a little black bag... Before we analyze whether this movie is great or just really good, let's mention Herbert Rawlinson who plays the Plastic Surgeon, Dr. Gregor. He does a good job here. He is in the 1954 movie looking quite healthy. He died in 1953 of lung cancer. He was born in 1885. He was 68 but he looked more like 58. Not only was this movie released after his death, but there were some movies released in 1966, 13 years after his death, in which he was credited with an acting role. Check his page here at IMDb and you will see one of the longest lists of movie credits ever to exist anywhere.
With him in this film we see a young, sexy Steve Reeves showing his tummy in one shirtless scene. Steve does an OK job with little dialog. It is obvious in his scenes he is too good looking to be just a minor player. He, of course, became much better known just shortly after this movie was released when he appeared in his Hercules movies as the top dog.
The sets are decorated by what would now seem to be 99 Cent Store motif. The opening credits mention who supplied the "Knitwear," "Ladies' Suits," "Dresses," "Lingerie" and the locations which included the Monterey Theatre in Monterey Park, Ca. and The Hunter Inn in Temple City, Ca. Today's product placement units would be hard pressed to do a better job.
The plot line is excellent. The acting is not good, but fun to watch. This movie beats anything Hollywood is now offering. The focus here is on the criminal and his desire to beat the rap and also the cop who is going to bring the offender to justice. The police drive 1954 Nash sedans. There is also a Rambler convertible and a 1951 Chevy that are featured.
The swimming pool scene at the end could be used to lead into a second feature of "Sunset Blvd." which seems to start where this one ends. It would have been fun to have watched Steve Reeves at this age playing in Sunset Blvd. opposite Gloria Swanson. Not that Bill Holden wasn't good, just that Steve looked like a boytoy at the time and it would have been a daring casting choice.
Ed Wood understood what was needed in a movie. He did not waste a lot of money just to get his scenes. He had the co-operation of several police departments in Southern California when he made this. They are also credited and my guess is they are actually used in many scenes as extras and one liner actors.
If you want great sound and color and big names, this ain't it. If you want to have a movie that has a little historical significance try this one. It is safe for all ages if you don't mind lots of gunfire.
Tom Willett
With him in this film we see a young, sexy Steve Reeves showing his tummy in one shirtless scene. Steve does an OK job with little dialog. It is obvious in his scenes he is too good looking to be just a minor player. He, of course, became much better known just shortly after this movie was released when he appeared in his Hercules movies as the top dog.
The sets are decorated by what would now seem to be 99 Cent Store motif. The opening credits mention who supplied the "Knitwear," "Ladies' Suits," "Dresses," "Lingerie" and the locations which included the Monterey Theatre in Monterey Park, Ca. and The Hunter Inn in Temple City, Ca. Today's product placement units would be hard pressed to do a better job.
The plot line is excellent. The acting is not good, but fun to watch. This movie beats anything Hollywood is now offering. The focus here is on the criminal and his desire to beat the rap and also the cop who is going to bring the offender to justice. The police drive 1954 Nash sedans. There is also a Rambler convertible and a 1951 Chevy that are featured.
The swimming pool scene at the end could be used to lead into a second feature of "Sunset Blvd." which seems to start where this one ends. It would have been fun to have watched Steve Reeves at this age playing in Sunset Blvd. opposite Gloria Swanson. Not that Bill Holden wasn't good, just that Steve looked like a boytoy at the time and it would have been a daring casting choice.
Ed Wood understood what was needed in a movie. He did not waste a lot of money just to get his scenes. He had the co-operation of several police departments in Southern California when he made this. They are also credited and my guess is they are actually used in many scenes as extras and one liner actors.
If you want great sound and color and big names, this ain't it. If you want to have a movie that has a little historical significance try this one. It is safe for all ages if you don't mind lots of gunfire.
Tom Willett