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Last week's Movie Quiz winners

Filed under: Imported

Last week's quiz stumped everybody except the three wise men-- Palmer, Parmer, and Yarber-- and I was told by other quiz regulars that it was hellishly tough. I didn't think it was at the time, but Roger Corman fan that I am, perhaps I overestimated the number of readers who were familiar with his 1963 science-fiction film, X-- The Man with X-Ray Eyes.

All of our quiz winners had a fond recollection of the movie. Mr. Yarber noted how this and other American-International Pictures stuff of the time gave older actors like X's star, Ray Milland, a chance to shine in good parts for a new generation. (Mr. Y also reminded me of Corman's commentary on the DVD, where he quoted Milland saying he put this picture with what he considered his other "best" movie, The Lost Weekend.) Mr. Parmer and Mr. Palmer both recalled the film's final moment-- "If thine eye offend thee, pluck it out!"-- with Hank also mourning the loss of the original ending, "where Dr. Xavier tears out his eyes but can still see."

For me, X-- The Man with X-Ray Eyes is a perfect example of Corman's master blend of commercialism and art, and I mean that as a compliment. His pop-culture savvy made the movies appeal to their intended audience of the time (mainly kids and teenagers, like me), but the quality and originality of the productions keep them interesting to me as an adult today. While it's not in the league of his best Poe films, X is definitely grade-A Corman.

So, as always, congratulations to the three unstumpables, Wayne Palmer, E. Yarber, and Hank Parmer. What would this quiz be without them?

Posted by Steve Monaco at July 18, 2005 2:49 AM

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