Movie review by William Moriaty
Featuring:
Though at times a bit contrived, this 1961 film is a gem that may have been years ahead of its time. As Count Floyd of SCTV would command, each time you hear the Mask beckon you to "Put the mask on now!" that is your cue to put on your 3-D glasses.
Murder In the Rain A Doctor's Visit Is In Order Radin: "It happened again last night! I remember a girl and that my hands were on her throat and that I killed her!"
Barnes: "This is only a nightmare!"
Radin: "Can a nightmare do this?!" Radin shows Barnes scratch marks on the left side of his face.
Radin: "I'm cursed! I am cursed! Something you don't seem to be able to understand! I'm being hypnotized by the Mask!"
Barnes: "Exactly what is the mask?"
Radin: "The Mask is to blame - - you just don't know its power!"
With those words Radin fled from the Doctor's office to contemplate his fate back at his apartment.
Radin's Mind-Blowing Experience A Doctor's Visit Is In Order "Put the Mask On Now!" Actually, this is a pretty good flick, a little hokey at times in the dream sequences, but definitely ahead of its time with a strange musical score. If you see it at your favorite video store, don't forget to rent it or buy it, and as Count Floyd used to say "Don't forget to use your 3-D glasses!"
Video not available in Smellarama.
Rolling M Productions
Produced and Directed By: Julian Roffman
Screenwriters: Frank Taubes, Sandy Habner and Franklin Delessert
Script for Dream Sequences: Slavko Vorkapich
Starring:
Dr. Allan Barnes........PAUL STEVENS
Pam Albright.............CLAUDETTE NEVINS
Lt. Martin...................BILL WALKER
Miss Jill Goodrich......ANNE COLLINS
Michael Radin...........MARTIN LAVUT
Dr. Soames................LEO LEYDEN
Professor Quincy........NORMAN ETTLINGER
Anderson...................BILL BRYDEN
Jim Moran.................JIM MORAN
Mrs. Kelly...................ELEANOR BEECROFT
Lab technician...........RAY LAWLOR
Mime in Nightmare....RUDI LINSCHOTEN
Museum Guide...........STEVEN APPLEBY
PAUL ELSOM
ALFIE SCOPP
Run Time: 83 minutes
Black & White; dream sequences in color.
The movie starts out as a young lady is being stalked in the woods at night in blinding thunderstorm. Her assailant finally catches up with her, strangling her. Before she loses her fight for life she manages to scratch the left side of his face.
Presumably the next morning, archaeologist Michael Radin opens the door into the office of his psychiatrist Dr. Allan Barnes.
Upon arrival at his apartment, Radin screams at his landlady, Mrs. Kelly, to take a parcel to the post office that is to be mailed to Dr. Barnes. Grudgingly the landlady leaves with the box. After a stiff drink, Radin pulls out a pistol and blows his brains out. After discovery of the corpse by Mrs. Kelly, police lieutenant Martin is on the scene to investigate. He contacts Dr. Soames at the Museum of Ancient History where Radin worked. It is ascertained by Dr. Soames that Radin must have stolen an Indian Ritual Mask from the Museum. When asked by Martin to explain the mask, Soames states, "There's a legend connected with this Mask! The legend states that in the wrong hands it can do great harm, hypnotize people, and make them do brutal and unthinkable things!" Of course Martin doesn't initially buy this explanation.
A visit to Radin's psychiatrist, Dr. Barnes, is Martin's next order of business. As Martin is sitting next to Barnes interrogating him, the newly mailed box with the Mask is about two feet away from him! Barnes expresses remorse at Radin's suicide and adds that he "couldn't tell a difference between dreams and reality!" As soon as Lt. Martin leaves, Barnes eagerly opens the box. The Mask is in it along with Radin's last hand written note. As Barnes is savoring the moment, his girlfriend Pam Albright walks in. She is repulsed by the skull-like creation and decries it as being evil. But Barnes, being inquisitive of its alleged power can not fight the temptation as in his mind he hears a voice telling him to.
Much against better judgment, Barnes dons the skull and immediately is drawn into a portal of 3-D psychotropic proportions. The 3-D nightmare vignettes in the movie are frightening, surrealistic, moody and evocative. I will not describe what occurs in them, as I want you to experience that for yourself. Shortly afterward the good Doctor is sprawled out over the floor. Miss Albright rushes in, terrified at the scene. She pleads with him to not conduct any further experiments with the Mask, but like the person who enjoys their first step toward addiction, Barnes states that the Mask "May be something of tremendous importance to the world of psychology!" Thinking that he can safely harness the secrets and the powers of the Mask, he goes on to say that through it "A world that exists even deeper than the subconscious!" is at his command. "This is not just a mask! It's a dream, it's a hope for man to understand what he is!"
The movie synopsis and review of "The Mask" is ©2003 by William Moriaty. "Schlockarama™" is a part of Crazed Fanboy™ dotcom and all contents are ©2003 by Nolan B. Canova