JLRMovieReviews
With character actors like Paul Kelly, Thomas Gomez and Jean Parker, this Inner Sanctum outing has Lon Chaney as an artist and is one of the better vehicles for Lon. He starred in all six films in the Inner Sanctum series, and this one concerns him putting acid in his eyes by mistake, instead of his intended eye-wash. Or did someone plan it that way? When his future father-in-law says he has put it in his will that Lon gets his eyes for a surgical procedure, the old man is mysteriously killed within days. Did Lon - a blind man - do it? Did a young model, who loves him, do it, so that he will be blind and bound to her forever? Did the psychiatrist do it, because he loves her and he will only have her if Lon gets his sight back? Did the old man's daughter do it? Obviously not! They strike again, when she is on the phone with the next victim. But, you won't find out the answer, until you buy this neat Inner Sanctum series DVD set. Or see it on TV. But I think that's less likely. This b-picture is given grade A production with good actors and quick dialogue that pushes you along. So what are you waiting for? Go into the Inner Sanctum.
Spikeopath
Dead Man's Eyes is directed by Reginald Le Borg and written by Dwight V. Babcock. It stars Lon Chaney Jr, Jean Parker, Acquanetta, Paul Kelly and Thomas Gomez. Music is by Paul Sawtell and cinematography by Paul Ivano. Part of Universal Pictures Inner Sanctum series, plot finds Chaney as artist David Stuart, who after accidentally being blinded finds himself the suspected murderer of the man who had bequeathed his own eyes for cornea transplant.A steady if unspectacular entry in the Inner Sanctum series, Dead Man's Eyes is more a mystery who done it than a bona fide thriller. Clocking in at just over an hour, film makes the big mistake of taking too long to get to the actual murder that underpins the drama. For a full length feature film, the 30 minute build up of characters and set up of plot would be most welcome, but in a compact production such as this, for the final third it gives the feeling of cramming too much into too short a running time. There's barely time for proper detective work and suspects are hardly afforded time to become viable. However, on the plus side is that the killer is hidden well enough, the acting is mostly agreeable (except the woeful Acquanetta) and characters are interesting because they are such miserablists, the latter of which helps to feed the picture a sense of hopelessness.Enjoyable if forgettable come the end, there's enough atmosphere and mystery to keep it just about above average. 6/10
MartinHafer
This is one of a series of B-Movies made by Universal as part of their "Inner Sanctum" series--sort of like an Alfred Hitchcock Presents or Outer Limits series for theaters. As a "B-Film", it was not meant as a feature film but a second film on a double-feature, so production values were lower and the film is only about an hour long. Because of this, you just don't expect as much quality out of a B, but occasionally you are surprised to see an example where the writing and acting is still very good and the film engages you despite a meager budget--this is definitely such a film.Lon Chaney, Jr. stars as an artist who is accidentally blinded. A older man who is like a father to him promises to give him his corneas when he dies for transplantation. Surprisingly, this nice old guy is soon murdered and everyone suspects Lon did this to get the eyes!! This makes for a truly unusual and interesting plot. About the only short-coming is that WHO committed the murder isn't super-hard to guess. But, considering the excellent writing and pacing of this short film, it's well worth a look--particularly for lovers of mystery or suspense.By the way, on video, this film is part of a two film set of Inner Sanctum mysteries--the other being the less interesting PILLOW OF DEATH.UPDATE--Since doing this review, I found out that they have also packaged DEAD MAN'S EYES in a six episode DVD set. On volume 1, you get this film as well as CALLING DR. DEATH and WEIRD WOMAN--all starring Lon Chaney, Jr. in different roles.
scottmar
The Star of many Universal horror classics, Lon Chaney Jr. shines as the star of Universal's Inner Sanctum series. In Dead Man's Eyes, Chaney receives the eyes of a dead man. A whodunit follows.
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