thejcowboy22 Review of Face of Terror

Face of Terror (1962)

Face it, many blemishes in this tragic story

[4/10 · 14 October 2019]

I had problem with a constant runny nose when I was in college. I was recommended to see a Doctor in the town of Glen Head, NY. He was very engaging, well read, classy and soft spoken and I believed in him . The trouble was his medications never worked. Despite all those visits, my nose and sinus problems persisted. At first, instant relief. But then side effects would take over. No quick fixes here. I caught this movie The face of Terror on Chiller back in the late 1970's. Actor Fernando Rey who plays the Kindly, debonair Plastic surgeon Charles Taylor reminded me of actor Yves Montand. He also reminded me of that aforementioned Doctor who tried nasal procedures that failed. The good Doctor Taylor drives to of all places, a mental institution where you see a woman (face obstructed) doing some gardening. The Doctor meets with other men in the medical profession in a board room. The first thing you notice is that some of the Doctors voices didn't match as the dubbing department was deficient. Dr. Taylor was promoting a new technique in plastic surgery. The medical board rejected his proposals due to financial rights on their part. Dejected, the Doctor leaves the grounds with a stow-away in the back seat of his car. The stow- away, you guessed it, the woman gardener with the hidden face. Upon his arrival at his stately home /laboratory, the woman shows her self and the horrible face scarred from an earlier explosion. Dr. Taylor at first was questioning how this woman knows about his work and second where did she come from. Upset and overly emotional the woman pleaded and said she'd do anything to feel normal again. I was taken by the fine acting on the part of our female lead Norma (Lisa Gaye). She was so plausible I actually believed she was really scarred. She even threatened suicide. The Doctor complies and performs the operation alone hiding his patient from his fiance. The big day comes to remove the bandages. The operation was successful as our patient is extremely beautiful. Everything is not perfect as the Doctor notices that the facial compound is drying to fast. He shares this with Norma as she must applies the lubricant or her face daily or the original facial scars will return. The Doctor notices her clothing which was marked for mental patients. Awestruck and concerned Dr. Taylor is ready to call the authorities when Norma clubs him over the head rendering him unconscious. She takes the lubricant, his money from his wallet, steals the car and heads off to the city to buy clothes and start a new life. This sets up our story of deception and murder. The movie at this point becomes a detective story. Question? Does this genre fall under horror, science fiction or Drama? I guess the scared face of our leading lady puts this movie under science fiction. The police had many opportunities to wrap this case up but it was Norma's beauty that milked the story. Despite Norma's compulsive nature I felt empathy for her throughout the movie . All she wanted was a second chance in life. I was totally impressed with actress Lisa Gaye's beauty and wondered about her other acting performances. She appeared in mostly 1960's dramas .i.e., Perry Mason, Hawaiian Eye, 77 Sunset Strip to name a few. Also appeared in westerns. She retired from acting in 1970 to raise her daughter. This movie did hold my interest but wasn't the kind of movie for Chiller theater watchers.