Dr. James Xavier has a dream to enable mankind to see beyond the narrow spectrum that human eyes can comprehend so he creates an optical solution to be dropped into the eyes. He tries the drops on a monkey and then himself. Things don't go well after that. In one of his best directed films Roger Corman takes his protagonist on a troubled journey to a startling ending. Dr. Xavier does see light beyond the usual light but it weighs heavily on him. It's a fine film. Dr. Xavier is played very well by Ray Milland and despite what he does you always feel sympathy for him. Unlike the odious carnival barker Crane acted strongly by Don Rickles. Familiar faces like Morris Ankrum, John Dierkes, Dick Miller, Barboura Morris and Harold J. Stone offer sterling support. It's filmed attractively in 'Spectrarama' by Floyd Crosby and has a haunting music score by Les Baxter. Some people have suggested it should be re-made with better special effects. Not me.
