The Intruder (Special Edition)
December 2007 Reviewed by: Mischa Hayek Format: DVD	(all ratings out of 5): Overall Enjoyment Picture Quality Packaged Extras Sound Quality

In more than 50 years in the movie and television business, Roger Corman has been one of the most prolific producers in the industry. A quick scan of the Internet Movie Database will reveal that Corman is credited as producer on over 380 movie or television projects and given directorial credit on 55 movies. According to industry insiders, Corman is considered "King of the ‘B’ Movies" because of the volume of successful low-budget dramas and thrillers that he has either produced or directed. Prior to directing The Intruder, Roger Corman had directed such films as Swamp Women (1955), It Conquered the World (1956), Attack of the Crab Monsters (1957), and The Wasp Woman (1959), to name a few. But in 1961, Corman decided to direct his first serious message film. Scripted by Charles Beaumont from Beaumont’s own book, The Intruder tells the story of a small southern town forced to integrate its school system and the outsider who arrives in town to stir up the locals into fighting integration.

Corman wanted an unknown actor to play the lead, so he chose Canadian William Shatner. Shatner, of course, subsequently rose to prominence playing Captain Kirk in the original Star Trek series and became famous for his overwrought portrayal and the unusual cadence with which he delivered his frequent soliloquies.

Adam Cramer (William Shatner) arrives in a small southern town called Caxton just before the first day of school. Ten African-Americans are about to enter the previously all-white high school for the first time. Cramer oozes charm and confidence and easily ingratiates himself with the locals. He quickly elicits the opinions of the townsfolk on integration so as to know how to forward his objective: to thwart the government-legislated school integration. Most of the townsfolk appear to be against integration, but they believe opposition is a futile effort. Realizing that he needs prominent citizens on his side, Cramer appeals to Verne Shipman (Robert Emhardt) who controls the town newspaper, and he uses Shipman and his newspaper to rally the townsfolk together. But not all are smitten by Cramer’s charm. The newspaper's editor sees the evil in Cramer, as does Cramer’s hotel neighbor, Sam Griffin (Leo Gordon), who also perceives his cowardice. The two separately oppose Cramer, leading to confrontation and violence.

Fans of William Shatner will be surprised by his relatively restrained and superb performance as the racist Cramer. This was one of the highlights of Corman’s film. Fans of the soap opera The Young and The Restless will also get to see actress Jeanne Cooper, who has portrayed the gravel-voiced millionairess Kay Chancellor for over two decades, stretch her acting muscles as Vi Griffin, the young, neurotic wife of Sam Griffin who has an affair with Cramer.

The Intruder was originally filmed in widescreen and was released in widescreen format in 2001 as a 40th-anniversary edition. This latest release, The Intruder: Special Edition, comes in fullscreen format but contains a bonus feature, "Remembering The Intruder," which contains recent interviews with director Roger Corman and actor William Shatner about their experiences making the film.

The black-and-white image has been transferred reasonably well, maintaining good brightness, contrast, and detail. However, the print that was used was in rough shape. Scratches are visible throughout, and there are a number of frames missing, giving a decidedly Grindhouse look to this 45-year-old film. On the other hand, those flaws can be fun to watch.

The mono soundtrack has reasonable clarity, so you can understand dialogue well, but it pales in comparison to even a modest soundtrack in a modern film. Still, I very much enjoyed the experience of watching Roger Corman’s The Intruder for the first time. In retrospect, it seems a shame that the veteran director-producer didn’t tackle more serious topics.

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