The Hypnotic Eye (1960) Movie Review

[@Weiselberry]

For those who have access to Watch TCM, The Hypnotic Eye is available to stream until October 17. If you miss that window, it's scheduled to air again on Turner Classic Movies on the 30th, after which it might reappear on the app for a limited time.

[@bradfordmiller637]

For the second time I like this film. Beautiful Allison Hayes. Good horror Film and a great cast. Hard to find.

[@theallisonhayeschannel3610]

I wanted to add in you're review of "The Hypnotic Eye" ( that you were not sure) why Desmond the Hypnotist would have beautiful women disfigure themselves after being hypnotized by hypnotist Desmond. Well, I will give you the true story as to why Desmond (The Hypnotist) disfigured beautiful women after his hypnotic stage show, and who actually was behind it. In 1976, I had come across an (very rare hard to find article published in 1968) which explain's the story's plot behind The Hypnotic Eye. "Desmond (The Hypnotist) and Justine, Desmond's very beautiful (Assistant)", we're actually husband and wife. Yes! They were married. One night at home Desmond hypnotized his beautiful wife Justine for thrills. Justine being under that hypnotic trance would wash her face (accidentally) with "Sulfuric acid" and disfigured her face. Justine, very despondent and self conscious of her appearance would create a face mask and wear it to cover up her ugliness, and then take her vengeance, her frustration and retaliation out on beautiful women using her husband Desmond to hypnotized beautiful women in their stage show and have them disfigure themselves for Justine's satisfaction. "That is why Desmond says to Justine just before having Marcia Blaine take a shower in scolding hot water...(HOW MANY MORE), and Justine replies...(AS LONG AS THEIR ARE FACES LIKE THIS). And that is the (factual true story) of who was behind it all, in the 1960 mystery horror thriller "The Hypnotic Eye".

[@maxdewinter9472]

I like that you express your objections and disapproval of certain things. In another review you said that you really don't care for films where infidelity is the focus. And in this one you let us know that you don't approve of handing over control to someone, or something, as in hypnosis. So many people go through life without standards and just have a "yeah, whatever" attitude. It's nice to see the opposite.

[@michaeljahnke2916]

I was so happy to see your review of this movie. I have only seen it once. I was 11 years old. I was strangely impressed by it. You mention feeling sorry for some of the characters, and yes, I think that is what struck me about this film. It could have been the average schlock feature, but it's more than that. I don't know how to describe how it affected me. You talk about the hypnotism scene in the theater, and I agree with you. I'll add it broke the 4th wall. Yet even this part of the movie has stuck with me, and when I became an art director in the computer game industry, I would think about this part of the movie as an example of what fun a movie could bring. Thank you for giving this weird movie a plug. I will watch it again and force my new sweet wife to watch it with me. I love special movies from The Wizard of Oz to Deathrace 2000. I can't wait to watch The Hypnotic Eye again. Your review has given me a burst of happiness and a feeling like there is another soul out there who understands my love for the unique. Thank you!

[@Weiselberry]

Thank you! I'm glad you liked the video, and have fun rewatching the film. :)

[@altothex9648]

Wow this is a great review! Very underrated channel tbh! I love all you reviews and the way you seem to talk about the movie, it's background, any personal anecdotes you have and give all that in a very neat but personal package that doesn't overstay its welcome! In short, a perfect review that makes it feel like you're talking with a friend about a movie you saw.

[@Weiselberry]

Thank you very much! I'm so glad you enjoy the various reviews and my presentation style. I put a lot of thought into what I do and do not say, how much detail I can include before it becomes overwhelming, and so on, so I really appreciate that you feel it balances out nicely. :)

[@johnbockelie3899]

I've seen this before, years ago . At the end the message is that " The human mind can be easily be hypnotized into doing anything, so beware."

[@mr.danandhorror4230]

Thanks -I’ve never heard of this. I’ve been on an old B-movie binge lately (Fiend Without a Face and The Monster of Piedras Blancas) and this seems very interesting and fun. 😵‍💫

[@iakona23]

There was a Hypnosis stage act scene in Nights of Cabiria. Woody Allen took the music from that scene and used the music extensively in his film Curse of the Jade Scorpion, which featured a hypnosis stage act as the main plot device of the movie.

[@4Topwood]

I'd forgotten that scene in Nights of Cabiria. What a heartbreaking film.

[@4Topwood]

Hi, Jerome! I've not seen this film but certain aspects you describe remind me of Eyes Without a Face. In that film, horror and pity for the mutilated Christiane are intermingled but ultimately the pity prevails because her spirit is so beautiful. The Hypnotic Eye sounds as if it has some of the "gimmicky" features of the horror films of that era, which add a lot to the fun. I really like the lighting in the stills you used. As to hypnosis, I knew a burn victim whose pain was so intense even morphine did not relieve it. He finally got some relief from hynotism. I share your distrust not so much with the actual process as with the amount of trust required in the integrity of the hypnotist. As always, a very interesting review, thank you!

[@Weiselberry]

And, coincidentally, Eyes Without a Face (French title Les yeux sans visage) came out the same year! Unforgettable film.

[@4Topwood]

@@Weiselberry Yes, Eyes Without a Face is so poetical. One aspect of it I really like is how it subtly asks us to define what is truly monstrous, truly ugly. It turns out that it is not Christiane but her father who is too ugly--in spirit not in appearance--to walk among us.

[@whiskyandpoetry]

I literally just finished re-watching Eyes Without a Face, watched this video straight after, cos coincidentally, I'm in the process of working on my own video for films from 1960, and I had overlooked The Hypnotic Eye, but I had basically the same thought about Eyes Without a Face. So anyway @Jerome Weiselberry it would be awesome if you put up a review for a 1961 movie next week, when I'll be working on that year's video. :D

[@davefsmith6040]

I remember watching this as a kid.. I THINK I remember my mouth watering during the lemon sequence.... Great Video, again, Jeri ... you're terrific :)

[@Weiselberry]

Haha, thanks!

[@CarlB_1962]

Thank you for yet another intriguing review of a film I hadn’t heard of but now want to watch.

[@caomhan84]

I was hypnotized once, by a psychiatrist. I remember being very skeptical and I wasn't completely out during the hypnosis. But what convinced me was that when I looked at the clock when he was done, what felt to me like less than 5 minutes was actually closer to 40 minutes in real time. That was shocking to a skeptic like me. The hypnosis didn't really help, however and the doctor admitted to me later that some people have better "hypnotic abilities" than others. The implication being that some people are more susceptible to hypnotic suggestion, I guess. I don't know... But I don't think I'm one of those people.

[@theallisonhayeschannel3610]

Both Allison Hayes and Merry Anders were hypnotized by clinical hypnotherapist Gil Boyne to reassure there character roles in The Hypnotic Eye. Allison was not confident enough playing the character role of Justine...the hypnotist's assistant, and needed to be hypnotized by Gil Boyne to give her the confidence she lacked. Merry Anders volunteered to be hypnotized by Gil Boyne so that director George Blair, and the set directors could get the levitation scene done right. I will post some never before seen surprises regarding the Hypnotic Eye film coming soon.

[@schizoidboy]

I just saw it on TCM the other day. I first heard of it in a movie called "It Came from Hollywood" which showcased a number of B-movies and Sci Fi movies and had a segment dedicated to Ed Wood the infamously bad director. The Hypnotic Eye was shown in the part that used trailers and the scene showed the woman's head on fire followed by the caption saying it makes the audience apart of the movie (showing everyone moving their hands together.) The interesting thing about the Great Imposter was he did pretend to be a doctor at one point and that was what got him caught. It wasn't that he was terrible but it was that his patients survived the difficult surgery he performed and the news got back to the doctor he was pretending to be. Apparently he could speed read medical text and perform the operation. Small wonder he founded a college.

[@rsacchi100]

Thanks for the review. Hypnotism was a hot subject at the time. You definitely got me interested in this move.

[@alandhopewell]

I'm watching this on DVD right now; I was looking for it on KZbin, to post it on a Facebook page, when I ran across your review. This movie showed a lot on local horror programs, and I really like it.

[@joseluisherreralepron9987]

This is the third positive review of this film I've seen in the last month...I need to seek it out!

[@kurtlarson6678]

Hypno-Magic, James Lipton’s Dad and The Great Imposter all in one movie! Sounds like a classic! Thanks for the interesting and informative review.

[@Weiselberry]

I'm glad you enjoyed it! I'd expected this to be a short review, but then I kept uncovering more information, and it was so fascinating that I just had to share it!

[@taanielherberger-brown5198]

Hi ms berry looking good! I've watched all your videos your beautiful smile brightens my day and soothing voice calms me (I struggle with anxiety) sorry it's been so long since I wrote to you once again you have been doing a great job. Enjoy the leaves turning hey looking forward to the bloopers;) Never tried hypnotism though I'm not opposed. Wish me luck at school hope to help out on your kofi I'm so glad u set that up. Did u like or review "Silver Linings Playbook"? Thanks again!

[@bartolomeuomacduibheamhnad6855]

I haven't seen the Hypnotic Eye and it makes me exude a tectonic sigh lol. I believe I've heard or read the films title at some point but apart from that this film is completely new to me and it sounds terrific, I'm excited to check it out and will do so soon hopefully and I'm sure I'll enjoy it, thank you for another enjoyable and informative review. ~ Thank you Ms Weiselberry ~

[@Weiselberry]

You're welcome! I hope you can track the film down somehow, and if you do, I hope you enjoy it! :)

[@chuckcolson]

it's nice of you to review this movie. i watched it with my grandma in the year 2001

[@winterburden]

What an interesting film, thanks for the cool review! 🙆‍♀️

[@robynheavner4689]

I was a little girl early 60s saw it on late night tv! Always stuck with me! One of my favorites! I need to get the dvd! Great review!

[@niallboyle5211]

Very enjoyable review Miss Weiselberry. However, as a teacher, I'm flabbergasted by the idea of teachers agreeing to their students being hypnotized.

[@earthcreature5824]

Another cool sounding film that I have not seen.I knew the title and always wondered what it was about?My limited understanding of hypnotism gave me the impression that the subject must be willing and complicit in the process.You can't be made to do what you don't want to.Your graduation dinner sounds like something out of a Robert Altman ensemble film.Can I offer my belated response to The Frozen Dead?A good experience.The story veered far from my opening setup expectations.Later movies like Shock Waves 1975 and Overlord 2018 seemed to fulfill that potential.The plot made sure that the severed head was well armed in the final confrontation.Surprised to see Edward Fox of The Day of the Jackal as Dana Andrews mind scrambled brother.Herbert J. Leder also did the odball Golem picture It! with Roddy Mc Dowall.Apparently they were released as a double feature.Thank you for another great review.I'm learning.

[@Weiselberry]

I'm glad you had a good time with The Frozen Dead! Haha, "well armed". :D

[@earthcreature5824]

@@Weiselberry Thank you.I'm here all week.

[@mercerconsulting9728]

I saw this when it came out. I was 8 years old at the time, and so it was impactful (after all, I was only a kid).

[@jamescarbonaro596]

Thank you for the review,,, I will definitely be checking this movie out, perfect for October... :)

[@Weiselberry]

I agree. :) Hope you enjoy the film if you get a chance to see it!

[@lbbotpn5429]

I caught this movie for the first time a couple of months ago and enjoyed the premise and was mostly impressed with the execution... right up to the extended Hypno-Magic sequence, which felt like filler mostly killed my interest. Another example of less is more.

[@Lokster71]

I once interviewed a hypnotist who was performing at my University and he said that it is pretty much impossible to hypnotise someone who doesn't want to be hypnotised. It's also hard to do it to people who are very drunk. He talked me through some of what he did. But I have a problem with embarrassment/humiliation. I've got a low threshold for both myself and I find get embarrassed on other people's behalf so I just can't watch.

[@Vlad65WFPReviews]

Hey, Jerome! I think a number of us were first exposed to this movie by seeing its over-the-top trailer in the snide but entertaining It Came from Hollywood. That proejct was mainly an excuse for its young comedy superstars to get stoned together but - in the days before youtube - it did offer some fun clips and trailers.

[@Bradford-k6j]

I was 19 years old when this came out. Good horror film. Beautiful Allison Hayes as Justine makes the movie that more interesting. Grade b.

[@amare65]

I have watched several of your videos and find your appearance pleasurable.

[@wrigleyextra11]

another JW review! Timely since I just got done watching Hypnosis (2020)!

[@iluvmusicals21]

Intriguing movie. I'll try to watch.

[@Weiselberry]

I hope you enjoy it if you get a chance to see it!

[@classicmodernfilms7602]

Great review. I’m glad you love classic Fiona the same as I do.

[@classicmodernfilms7602]

*film😂

[@TheWisestWizards]

I kind of like the old audience participation gimmick, although I understand that it would usually only be fun in the actual theater and not at home. I always liked hearing about The Tingler seats. My mom told me a story about seeing The Brotherhood of Satan back when she was in high school and they gave out packets of seeds that you had to plant when you got home later to keep you safe. She said the movie scared her so bad she planted the seeds just to be safe! She doesn't remember if anything actually grew from them or not though.

[@williamanthony9090]

FINALLY... Someone who gives an actual review of this movie. Instantly subscribed, off the strength of delivering what you advertise. This was actually a great B-Rated film, and certainly worthy of a modern day remake.

[@Weiselberry]

Thank you!

[@williamanthony9090]

@@Weiselberry - You are most welcome. Another B-Film you might like to check out is "The Brain From Planet Arous." The special effects in this 1957 production are pretty terrible, but it's still a cut above most of the other B-Rated monster movies. Frankly, it's my favorite John Agar film!

[@Allan_aka_RocKITEman]

Great review, JW...👍

[@bigkj2.027]

Looking forward to watching and critiquing the movie

[@kaylanash3588]

Have you had a chance to see The King's Academy's latest performance of Les Miserables? Spoilers ahead on my thoughts. Here's the thing, their productions of Little Women and Into the Woods were both so fantastic and couldn't have gone better, which is why I was shocked at how condensed Les Miserables was and how much was cut. I don't want to be negative about this production because given the circumstances, I think they did the best they could. Apparently the set they were planning on using for Les Miserables became suddenly unavailable and other unforseen obstacles came up that resulted in them only having two weeks to prepare, so some scenes had to be cut. Like I said, I really do think they did a really good job with what they were given to work with, but I really wish they could have done more with it. Their 2017 production of Les Miserables was as close to perfect as you can get, and I guess I was just expecting a repeat performance of that with the current students. I still think The King's Academy is the among the best of the best at musical theater and I look forward to seeing what they do in the future. I know they are doing Mary Poppins now and I hope they are able to post it on their KZbin channel as I have never seen it before.

[@Weiselberry]

Yes, I did! I feel kind of the same way. At first I thought, "Oh, they cut Lovely Ladies. Well, that makes sense." But then there was no Fantine's Arrest, no Who Am I, and no Confrontation (one of my favorite parts), there were significant chunks I missed here and there, and Javert was pretty much non-existent in Act 2. The story loses a lot of its power with so much taken out of it. It's too bad. I saw the explanations, so I know they did the best with what they had in a short amount of time, and the minimalist set and staging is actually kind of interesting, like a concert/play hybrid. The whole thing just felt a little disjointed. (I wonder if someone unfamiliar with the play would feel that way?) Regardless, the performances from the singers and the orchestra were still top notch. I cried at the end of the Billie cast version, although I'm not sure how much of that was the music (there's a part of the Do You Hear the People Sing? Reprise that always gets me) and how much was the very real emotion you could see on the girls' faces, this being the end of an era for them. I do think I liked the Billie cast better in general, although I preferred Marius and Mme. Thenardier in the Henley cast. I'm glad they got to give it a go, even if it wasn't the complete production everyone had been hoping for. The quality of the performances, especially the solos, makes it worth it.

[@patrickcosgrove886]

Saw this on TV years ago. I like to see it again.

[@glennsmusic]

ooh that looks interesting! me go look.....

[@redpillnibbler4423]

On the same theme via a slight tangent,have you seen Woman In Green? - Its one of the wonderful Sherlock Holmes film collection starring Basil Rathbone. I highly recommend the film set,maybe you could do a review of one or two of them sometime?

[@Weiselberry]

I think I have... I've seen four or five of the Rathbone/Bruce films and I'm pretty sure that was one of them. Long time ago, though.

[@williamblakehall5566]

Rome, I only very vaguely recall this, it might have turned up one night on Pittsburgh's beloved Chiller Theater ages ago, but I love how a discussion of one movie gets me to recalling other movies or shows. The shampoo sequence reminds me a little of 1959's infamous Horrors of the Black Museum, the movie that begins with spikes hidden inside a pair of binoculars which brutally blind a woman. Somehow I find the shampoo scene easier to take because it's obviously superimposed flame (I shudder at how graphically it might have been done in a later era) and I find it somehow abstract. I do indeed recall getting a William Castle vibe from this. In the sweet 1993 movie Matinee, John Goodman plays an obvious homage to Castle, "Lawrence Woolsey," and we glimpse various movies-within-the movie by him, one conspicuously named The Eyes of Dr. Diablo which may have been a tribute to this. (Goodman is great, but I am disappointed that the sadly short-lived character actor John Mahoney never got to play any version of Castle, because I find the physical resemblance startling.) I highly recommend the oddly overlooked Kevin Bacon horror movie Stir of Echoes, which in part is about creepy after-effects from a session of hypnosis. Your discussion of the opening scenes caused me to flash back to an episode of the original Outer Limits, one called Fun and Games. (I think Limits gets unfairly dismissed as "the show with the monsters," even when the "monsters" were often the kindest, wisest, most interesting characters.) An early scene builds tension by showing a poker game from underneath the glass table on which it's being played. I'd be inclined to watch for this anyway, but knowing that it features James Lipton's dad is an extra incentive. This is precisely the kind of movie we can use an alert to in this "month of Halloween." You're doing great, Rome, and owl be seeing you.

[@ernestsauter8093]

Back when I was 10, there was a seedy, second-run movie house, that had Saturday afternoon matinees. I saw this on a double-bill with the Devil's Hand. On another occasion, they teamed up the Manster with the Mask. It's no wonder I'm weird.

[@unclepatrick2]

I discovered this movie looking at the schedule of TCM this month . Then Terry of "Terry Talk Movies " did a review of it on his channel . Watch it tonight . Not Bad . It got a decent cast and nicely creepy

[@tonydeluna8095]

Hello Jerome! Hope you’re having a wonderful weekend! God bless💛

[@Weiselberry]

Thank you!

[@mikerooney3307]

l haven't seen it, but due to your recomendation l will give it a shot.

[@Weiselberry]

Hope you enjoy it!

[@nationaltrails9585]

Are you familiar with "The Sadist" or "Profile of Terror" from 1963? I remember seeing it with my older brother on a late night TV showing. We were both transfixed the entire time and I have never forgotten it. Consider a cult classic and overlooked forerunner by some, it features a memorable performance by Arch Hall Jr. I suggest it's worth checking out.

[@Weiselberry]

No, I don't think I am.

[@4CardsMan]

Washing one's face with sulfuric acid would be impossible. It's so strong that the first touch would make you stop.

[@seelingnightapsychomanteum7124]

I saw this film just recently, and enjoyed it. The subject matter was hard to deal with, and there is a terrible moment when I felt I was watching one of those sleazy exploitation films from the period. Then the plot takes a turn and goes in a different direction.

[@JAMES51990]

Where did you watch it? I can't seem to find it anywhere

[@Weiselberry]

On Watch TCM, the streaming app for Turner Classic Movies. Unfortunately, if you don't already have TCM as part of your cable package, you can't access the streaming app.

[@alandhopewell]

A side note on hypnosis; it can be a gateway to unwanted spiritual influences.

[@JohnMinehan-lx9ts]

The Great Imposter would not be a bad choice for a review. Curtis was a good choice given his ability to do both comedy and credible leading man parts.

[@garyhart6421]

Can't say I ever seen or heard of this film.

[@TheNightBadger]

Hypnotism doesn't work on everyone - kind of strange really. 'Stir of Echoes' is a good modern (ish) horror movie which begins with hypnotism...

[@JohnMinehan-lx9ts]

I actually LIKED this (somewhat odd) movie. I had always thought it was a William Castle film.

[@noizetv4240]

Is Netflix's 'Hypnotic' a remake of this?

[@Weiselberry]

I don't know anything about that, but I doubt it.

[@mo8755]

🤔

[@BusStopProductions.]

I'm in love

[@michaelhughes8057]

I felt it was one of the most unpleasant horror movies I had ever seen! Except for the fact Iiked Allison Hayes was in it! I remember reading in Monster Magazine in the 1980's that movie critics @ the time called it "The ultimate in bad taste!" I remember it was occasionally shown in NYC on Saturday nights on Thriller Theater.

[@michaelhughes8057]

Correction: Chiller Theater!

[@zero0karaoke]

I just paid $2 to watch it on Amazon as I don't have TCM. I cracked up laughing the first time I saw the lady's head burst into flames, maybe I'm sick but it just seemed so bizarre and sudden and like..."what?" As the movie went on I had figured Desmond was just into disfiguring women for sexual reasons but I soon learned what was really going on and enjoyed the gradual reveal. The movie could be clever and amusing at times, and thanks for the background on the long hypnosis portion near the end. Someone I know told me that their high school graduation class also had embarrassing hypnotism involved, and I'm glad mine didn't. And you said you don't like surrendering your body and mind to another person, does that include marriage?

[@williamanthony9090]

That opening scene is phony as heck by modern standards, but really scared me when I was an 8-year old watching it on Saturday afternoon back in 1965! The movie is a cut above many B-Rated films. IMO it would be a good candidate for a modern, big budgeted, remake.

[@michaelhughes8057]

I have seen this movie! Accept for Allison Hayes acting in II I wouldn't recommend it, because it's gruesome in parts!

[@michaelhughes8057]

And it's not for the squirmest!

[@michaelhughes8057]

Correction. I meant to type this movie Is NOT for tbe skirmish!

[@flowerlaksman4919]

[@rebeccamurille6952]

A word of advice: research fast hair growth shampoo to double hair growth.