BaronBl00d Review of The Mask

The Mask (1961)

"I Must Experience the Greatest Act of the Human Mind; To Take Another Life."

[4/10 · 24 July 2012]

Well, I am in no way as enamored with this film as others. I was bored right out of my mind through most of it. We get some guy at the beginning who kills young women, goes to his psychiatrist for help, then commits suicide and sends the deadly mask which has made him a killer to the doctor. What does the doctor do? Put the mask on! Yep, he does. Soon he wants to kill. To be what primordial man is all about. To experience everything life has to offer - like killing! There really is no plot to this film. Take out the dream sequences(the 3-D bits) and you have very little to work with. Yes, it pushes what little story there is...but to nowhere. By the end of the film there is no real ending. I did like the final bit with the mask in the museum. What about those dream sequences when the mask is being worn? I don't have a clue what they are to represent. Yes, they are done stylishly. I enjoyed the creativity put into them(that is why I gave this dreck four stars instead of two). We get skulls emitting blue and red flames. A masked figure in a robe cavorting with some strange man(was that the doctor?) A beautiful girl on a sacrificial alter. Things like that. The 3-D effects are some of the better ones for its age, but that is really all this film has going for it. Dream sequences done artistically but no real plot, no directorial savvy, and no acting. None of these folks are very good in front of the camera. The doc is played by Paul Stevens(a very dramatic performance indeed!). How about his doctor friend played by Leo Leyden? All the spark and life of a dead battery! The female cast doesn't fare better in the acting department yet both leads are gorgeous. The doctor's girl is played by Claudette Nevins in her first screen role. You can tell it is her first role, but she is so pretty with those alluring eyes. His secretary is played by blonde lovely Anne Collings. Not much talent but she is a sight for sore eyes. Outside of those perks, I was not impressed at all with The Mask. I did watch the Elvira version on video and was disheartened that she didn't interrupt during the film. She was, as always, funny and has her own highlights to showcase.