Dr. James Xavier develops a serum to make people see beyond the normal spectrum of light. Naturally, he chooses to use them on himself. The serum works, and he can see through clothes and even flesh. He keeps using the eye drops of course, which increase the power of his eyes. After an accidental killing, he goes on the run. This leads him to work as a mind reader in a carnival. A grifter turns him into a "healer" but that goes awry. A venture to Las Vegas also goes south. Finally, he ends up at a revival tent, where that grifter tells him that if his eyes offend him to pluck them out...
I saw part of this movie when I was quite young, and didn't understand it at all. Which is not surprising, since it is rather adult oriented and kind of slow. There is a lot of talking, but it is only 79 minutes long. Ray Milland is really good, as is the rest of the cast. It is hard to see Don Rickles in such a role, since I most ever have known him as an insult comic. This was long before that, though. He is quite good as well. The movie is good, and somewhat thought provoking. That ending is so odd, since Xavier (the movie is actually titled "X", with no subtitle) actually proved the existence of a higher power, sort of. The roadside preacher sure didn't like that. I do like Stephen King's false ending of "I can still see!"
Next- Fiend Without a Face (excellent)
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