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• Big-Time Bogie Bomb

  • Bruce Reber
  • 12/21/09

  I taped "The Return of Dr. X" when it aired on TCM 12/16/09 as part if the SOTM tribute to Humphrey Bogart, and watched it later. This absolutely has to be the worst film he ever did, with him playing a doctor who was believed to be executed for murder, but is very much alive as a quasi-vampire with a pale complexion, a white streak in his hair and a need for human blood to keep him alive. I was alternately looking in disbelief that Bogart could ever be in a film this awful, and laughing at his equally awful performance. I have heard that Warner Bros. gave him this dud as punishment for an incident with his wife at the time Mayo Merthelot. Apparently he learned from it, because after "Dr. X" he starred in nothing but top drawer films. Some of them may not have been that good, but none were as totally bad as "The Return of Dr. X.

• Humphrey Bogart punishment picture.

  • JOE
  • 11/14/07

  Yes this is a stinker that is not on DVD. When Bogie misbehaved in public with his 3rd wife Mayo (aka the Battling Bogarts) and created bad publicity, the studios would punish him with a bad picture (punishment). This is punishment for all including the audience. A grade "D" movie with Bogart as a zombie with a white streak in his hair. Yes horrible to watch but then you finally can proclaim "I saw Bogie at his worst!".

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