Adam Cramer (William Shatner) is a young man who arrives in the small Southern town of Caxton, wearing a white suit and a big smile. He claims to be a social worker, but is really a member of a very racist organization dubbed The Patrick Henry Society, which has made it its mission to fight the desegregation of schools. As we can see, Adam is a *beep* disturber par excellence, but there are a select few in town who eventually see through him, and realize that he's not capable of controlling a mob.
Shatner does very well in this potent drama from producer / director Roger Corman, Cormans' brother Gene (who executive produced), and author / screenwriter Charles Beaumont. Beaumont was a prominent talent used by both A.I.P. studios and the 'Twilight Zone' TV series, and here he does a fine job of showing the hatred and ignorance of man. "The Intruder" is stark and effectively dramatic, with solid acting all around. Shatner is charismatic and convincing; ultimately we can see how at heart he's really a pathetic coward who will resort to desperate measures if he thinks that he's not getting his way.
The supporting cast is noteworthy for including a couple of screenwriters. Beaumont also appears on screen as Mr. Paton, and George Clayton Johnson and William F. Nolan (who co- wrote "Logan's Run") and Leo Gordon ("Attack of the Giant Leeches", "The Wasp Woman") play area locals. Particularly good are Robert Emhardt as local bigwig Verne Shipman, Frank Maxwell as newspaperman Tom McDaniel, Charles Barnes as brave teenager Joey Greene, Mr. Gordon as salesman Sam Griffin, and Jeanne Cooper as Sams' wife Vi. Herman Stein composes the music, and Taylor Byars does the excellent cinematography.
This was a rare attempt by Corman to create a Message Movie, and it's also one of the rare instances of one of his movies not being financially successful. It was reissued under other titles in the attempt to turn a profit. It's definitely deserving of another look.
Eight out of 10.
Shatner does very well in this potent drama from producer / director Roger Corman, Cormans' brother Gene (who executive produced), and author / screenwriter Charles Beaumont. Beaumont was a prominent talent used by both A.I.P. studios and the 'Twilight Zone' TV series, and here he does a fine job of showing the hatred and ignorance of man. "The Intruder" is stark and effectively dramatic, with solid acting all around. Shatner is charismatic and convincing; ultimately we can see how at heart he's really a pathetic coward who will resort to desperate measures if he thinks that he's not getting his way.
The supporting cast is noteworthy for including a couple of screenwriters. Beaumont also appears on screen as Mr. Paton, and George Clayton Johnson and William F. Nolan (who co- wrote "Logan's Run") and Leo Gordon ("Attack of the Giant Leeches", "The Wasp Woman") play area locals. Particularly good are Robert Emhardt as local bigwig Verne Shipman, Frank Maxwell as newspaperman Tom McDaniel, Charles Barnes as brave teenager Joey Greene, Mr. Gordon as salesman Sam Griffin, and Jeanne Cooper as Sams' wife Vi. Herman Stein composes the music, and Taylor Byars does the excellent cinematography.
This was a rare attempt by Corman to create a Message Movie, and it's also one of the rare instances of one of his movies not being financially successful. It was reissued under other titles in the attempt to turn a profit. It's definitely deserving of another look.
Eight out of 10.