Countdown to Halloween Day 22 – The Abominable Dr. Phibes (1971)

Countdown to Halloween Day 22 – The Abominable Dr. Phibes (1971)
Cast:        Vincent Price as Dr. Anton Phibes
Joseph Cotton as Dr. Vesalius
Virginia North as Vulnavia
Terry Thomas as Dr. Longstreet
Caroline Munro as Victoria Regina Phibes
Peter Jeffrey as Inspector Trout
John Cater as Superintendent Waverly

Produced by Samuel Z. Arkoff & James Nicholson
Music by Basil Kirchin
Written by James Whiton & William Goldstein
Directed by Robert Fuest

Release Date: May 18, 1971

Plot: Dr. Anton Phibes, killed in a car crash upon learning about the death of his wife, returns to seek vengeance upon the doctors who failed to save his wife by using the nine Biblical plagues of Egypt as inspirations for their deaths.

Richard’s Review: For whatever reason, this movie didn’t click with me when I first watched it. In fact, it took several viewings to appreciate the greatness that lurks within its’ celluloid frames. Now, it’s one of my personal favorites from the Vincent Price filmography. I love everything about this classic as Price is chewing up the scenery from start to finish as only he could do.  Highly recommended!

Karla’s Thoughts: I really enjoyed this one. The deaths are imaginative but not quite too gruesome, at least in the way they are presented on screen. Price is so good in his role as Dr. Phibes and is really a highlight of the film. Everything seems to be in a different type of world, not quite the real one as everything is just a little off, such as the bungling policemen and the ever-present Vulnavia. One of my favorites, so I’ll definitely watch this one again and again.

Trivia:

• Robert Fuest went on to direct the sequel, Dr. Phibes Rises Again (1972), as well as another cult classic, The Devil’s Rain (1975).
• James Whiton also wrote episodes of The Man from U.N.C.L.E. and Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea.
• Dr. Vesalius was originally to be played by Peter Cushing.
• Ian Marter (Dr. Harry Sullivan on Doctor Who) briefly appears as the third policeman.
• Joanna Lumley (The New Avengers) appeared as a lab assistant in a deleted scene.
• Dr. Phibes’ murders were inspired by the ten plagues of Egypt found in the Old Testament as follows (gnats and flies were replaced with bats and rats):
  • Blood (the blood is drained from Dr. Longstreet’s body)
  • Frogs (Dr. Hargreaves’s throat is crushed by a mechanical frog mask)
  • Bats (Dr. Dunwoody is mauled to death by bats)
  • Rats (Dr. Kitaj crashes his plane when he is attacked by rats)
  • Diseased animals (Dr. Whitcombe is speared by the horn of a brass unicorn head)
  • Boils (Prof. Thornton is stung to death by bees; it’s referenced but not shown)
  • Hail (Dr. Hedgepath is frozen to death by a machine spewing ice)
  • Locusts (Nurse Allen is eaten by locusts)
  • Darkness (The depiction of a solar eclipse at the very end)
  • Death of the firstborn (Phibes kidnaps and attempts to kill Dr. Vesalius’s son)

Availability: The Abominable Dr. Phibes is available on DVD as part of the Vincent Price: MGM Scream Legends Collection.

Countdown to Halloween Day 21 – Night Gallery (1971/1972)

Countdown to Halloween Day 21 – Night Gallery (1971/1972)
Cast:        Vincent Price as Professor/John Carnby
Bill Bixby as Noel Evans
Patricia Sterling as Fern

Class of ’99 written by Rod Serling & directed by Jeannot Szwarc
Return of the Sorcerer written by Halsted Welles & directed by Jeannot Szwarc

Richard’s Review: Vincent Price made numerous memorable television guest appearances over the years, including two visits to the Night Gallery. In 1971, he starred as a professor in Class of ’99, giving the graduating class of 1999 a final exam that appears to be rather intense. When he challenges a student to kill another, that student comes close but, ultimately, says he cannot justify such an act. He is then shot by another student, revealing that he is, in fact, a robot. It seems that in 1999, humanity is in need of additional people and robots are created to fill those gaps. However, they must act like humans in every way, including murder.

Price returned in 1972 to kick off the third season in Return of the Sorcerer. Here, Price plays a sorcerer who hires a translator to help him with an ancient Arabic manuscript which turns out to be the Necronomicon. However, we soon learn a tale of twin brothers and murder while trying to figure out the role of the mysterious woman.

Watching these two segments, it’s fun to see two very different Price performances. In Class of ’99, Price is a no-nonsense teacher, almost evil in his intent as he is ordering others to inflict pain and death. In Return of the Sorcerer, Price is playing it a lot more maniacal and almost for laughs. Both are brief and fun to watch, but ultimately rather forgettable. Fun but not classic performances as the roles could have been played by anyone. They’re just made a little better with Price. That said, it’s Night Gallery and they’re always fun to watch.

Trivia:

• Return of the Sorcerer is based on a short story by Clark Ashton Smith. It was first published in Strange Tales of Mystery and Terror in September 1931. It marked one of the first times an author other than H.P. Lovecraft referenced the Necronomicon.
• Bill Bixby is best remembered for three classic television series, My Favorite Martian, The Courtship of Eddie’s Father and The Incredible Hulk.
• Randolph Mantooth has a supporting role as student Elkins in Class of ’99 but he’s best remembered as paramedic John Gage in Emergency.
• Jeannot Szwarc is a well-known television director on programs like The Six Million Dollar Man, as well as several films including Jaws 2 (1978) and Supergirl (1984).
• Halsted Welles also wrote episodes of numerous television series, including Suspense, Alfred Hitchcock Presents and five more stories for Night Gallery.

Modern Radio: Return of the Sorcerer was aired as part of Suspense, a revival series from Blue Hours Productions.

Modern Vinyl: Cadabra Records released a vinyl recording in April 2018. It was read by Anthony D.P. Mann and featured a score by composer Seizon. This is now out-of-print and copies are selling for $50 or more, so take your time and shop around.

Availability: These episodes are available in the Night Gallery: The Complete Series DVD collection.

Countdown to Halloween Day 20 – Witchfinder General (1968)

Countdown to Halloween Day 20 – Witchfinder General (1968)
Cast:        Vincent Price as Matthew Hopkins
Ian Ogilvy as Richard Marshall
Rupert Davies as John Lowes
Hilary Heath as Sara
Robert Russell as John Stearne

Based on the novel by Ronald Bassett
Screenplay by Tom Baker & Michael Reeves
Directed by Michael Reeves

Release Date: May 17, 1968

Plot: After witchfinder Matthew Hopkins kills an innocent priest and takes advantage of a young woman, a soldier vows revenge upon Hopkins and his sidekick.

Richard’s Review: Vincent Price has said that this was his favorite horror film role and it’s easy to see why. Director Michael Reeves forced an agitated performance out of Price and it’s clearly visible on-screen. He is at his most evil throughout the film, not even succumbing to his usual wisecracking and sly smiles, which are absent throughout. It’s a dark and somewhat brutal film, at least by 1968 standards. However, the end result is a fantastic film with a harsh ending. Not for those looking for charming Vincent Price but definitely an amazing performance. Highly recommended!

Trivia:

• This film was originally released in the United States under the title The Conqueror Worm. It featured opening and closing narration from Edgar Allan Poe’s poem of the same name.
• Michael Reeves only directed four films with Witchfinder General being his fourth and last. His debut was in 1964 with Castle of the Living Dead after he was brought in to finish the film. He followed up with She Beast (1966) and The Sorcerers (1967) starring Boris Karloff. His fifth film was to have been The Oblong Box but he died On February 11, 1969, at the age of 25 due to an accidental overdose of barbiturates.
• Paul Ferris composed the music for the original release of the film. However, his work was replaced with a slightly different score by Kendall Schmidt in the original US prints under the title The Conqueror Worm.
• Vincent Price did not get along with Michael Reeves as he wasn’t the director’s first choice for the lead role. However, Reeves was unable to hire Donald Pleasance, so he made the best of what he viewed as an unpleasant situation, much as Price did himself. The end result was a highlight for both men but the filming process was not ideal.
• Ian Ogilvy was a school mate of Michael Reeves and worked on both She Beast and The Sorcerers before Witchfinder General. He’s also known for And Now the Screaming Starts! (1973) and From Beyond the Grave (1974).
• Rupert Davies had previously worked on Quatermass II (1955) as well as 11 episodes of The New Adventures of Charlie Chan (1957-1958). Other films include The Brides of Fu Manchu (1966), Dracula Has Risen from the Grave (1968), The Crimson Cult (1968) and The Oblong Box (1969).
• Hilary Heath, billed in this film as Hilary Dwyer, worked with Vincent Price again in The Oblong Box (1969) and Cry of the Banshee (1970).
• Robert Russell also starred in two classic episodes of Doctor Who, The Power of the Daleks (1966) and Terror of the Zygons (1975).

Availability: Witchfinder General is available on DVD as part of the Vincent Price: MGM Scream Legends Collection.

Countdown to Halloween Day 19 – Into the Velvet Darkness (2019)

Okay, it’s not quite a movie but it’s definitely about the legendary Vincent Price! Jeff Owens, co-host of the Classic Horrors Club Podcast, is once again in print courtesy of the team that brought you A Celebration of Peter Cushing and Son of Unsung Horrors. They have an amazing new book entitled Into the Velvet Darkness: A Celebration of Vincent Price and Jeff is just one of many featured writers.

You can purchase your copy of Into the Velvet Darkness: A Celebration of Vincent Price at their website. It features a foreword from Victoria Price and looks stunning in full color throughout. We Belong Dead produces a top notch product and this one comes highly recommended!

Add it to your Halloween reading list today!

Countdown to Halloween Day 18 – The Haunted Palace (1963)

Countdown to Halloween Day 18 – The Haunted Palace (1963)
Cast:        Vincent Price as Joseph Curwen/Charles Dexter Ward
Debra Paget as Ann Ward
Lon Chaney Jr. as Simon Orne
Frank Maxwell as Priam Willet/Dr. Marinus Willet
Leo Gordon as Ezra Weeden/Edgar Weeden
Elisha Cook Jr. as Micah Smith/Peter Smith

From a poem by Edgar Allan Poe & The Case of Charles Dexter Ward by H.P. Lovecraft
Screenplay by Charles Beaumont
Directed by Roger Corman

Release Date: August 28, 1963

Plot: Charles Dexter Ward arrives in the cursed village of Arkham, Massachusetts, to claim his inheritance. However, the villagers see him as the reincarnation of the evil Joseph Curwen, who died more than a century before. Or did he?

Richard’s Review: I believe this is only my second viewing of The Haunted Palace and I’m not really sure why. I honestly didn’t remember anything about it, so it was just like a first time watch for me and I loved it. Price is quite believable as a man being torn down the middle, one good and one evil. I also really enjoyed Lon Chaney in this one, especially considering we were nearing the end of his career at this point. The bleak village sets were quite believable and, of course, the castle sets were magnificent. The music seemed a little off to me at times but the fun story more than made up for it. I wish the deformed son of Edgar Weeden was seen a little more but considering how cheap the makeup effects were for the villagers, that might have been a blessing. I loved the twist ending! That said, it’s highly recommended!

Karla’s Thoughts: I thought this one was good but it didn’t end like I had hoped as I thought they would have destroyed Curwen. The music was really odd at times and reminded me of some sci-fi epic like Dune. I also wanted to know what happened to Chaney and the others. Where did they disappear to? Speaking of Chaney, I really loved his performance here. I’d definitely watch this one again.

Trivia:

• The only connection the film has to Edgar Allan Poe is the two brief quotes read by Vincent Price. Otherwise, the film is truly an H.P. Lovecraft adaptation, which is how Roger Corman originally wanted it. However, American International Pictures disagreed and went against his wishes.
• This marked the first time one of Lovecraft’s inventions, the Necronomicon, is mentioned on screen, along with Cthulhu and Yog-Sothoth.
• This was Debra Paget’s last feature film before retiring at the age of 30 after marrying a Chinese millionaire. She’s still alive and living a quiet life in Texas at the age of 86. She’s best remembered for her roles in Broken Arrow (1950), Love Me Tender (1956) and The Ten Commandments (1956). She also starred in the sci-fi flick From the Earth to the Moon (1958).
• Lon Chaney continued to appear in the horror genre following this film, including House of the Black Death (1965), Spider-Baby (1967), Gallery of Horror (1967) and Dracula vs. Frankenstein (1971). He died in 1973 at the age of 67 of liver failure.
• Leo Gordon was a busy character actor, appearing in nearly 200 films and television roles.
• Frank Maxwell also appeared in Roger Corman’s controversial film The Intruder (1962) with William Shatner. He also guest starred in episodes of One Step Beyond, The Twilight Zone, Alfred Hitchcock Presents and The Outer Limits.
• Elisha Cook Jr. was a well-known character actor, appearing in more than 200 films and television roles. Horror fans might recognize him from Voodoo Island (1957), House on Haunted Hill (1959), Black Zoo (1962) or Messiah of Evil (1973). Star Trek fans will surely recognize him as lawyer Samuel Cogley from the Court Martial episode in 1967.
• Roger Corman also used the exterior shots of the castle in The Raven (1963). The front of the palace and underground dungeon reappeared in The Terror (1963).

Availability: The Haunted Palace is available on an out-of-print DVD, as well as the equally out-of-print Vincent Price Collection I. Shop around for the best price!

Countdown to Halloween Day 17 – Confessions of an Opium Eater (1962)

Countdown to Halloween Day 17 – Confessions of an Opium Eater (1962)
Cast:        Vincent Price as Gilbert De Quincey
Linda Ho as Ruby Low
Richard Loo as George Wah
June Kim as Lotus
Yvonne Moray as Child

Based on the novel by Thomas De Quincey
Screenplay by Robert Hill
Directed by Albert Zugsmith

Release Date: June 20, 1962

Plot: Gilbert De Quincey stumbles onto adventure as he helps runaway slaves in the middle of a tong war in San Francisco.

Richard’s Review: This is only my second viewing and, considering I remembered almost nothing about it, I venture to say it may well be my last. Vincent Price always makes a film better but he had his work cut out for him with this one. The plot is all over the place and I’m not sure that any of the characters are very likeable. Oh sure, Vincent isn’t too bad and the Child character made me laugh. I also enjoyed the music. However, the film is full of anachronisms for the early 19th century with devices like machine guns and a speed boat (seen briefly in stock footage). It’s also incredibly bizarre. I just couldn’t get into it, so it’s not a recommendation for me.

Karla’s Thoughts: I didn’t like this one at all. Price wasn’t very likeable and the plot was just too weird. In fact, I found the other characters and even the music equally odd. The movie was all over the place with no redeeming qualities. I won’t watch this one again.

Trivia:

• Vincent Price described this film as “the death of me” according to The Complete Films of Vincent Price by Lucy Chase Williams. I think that pretty much sums up his opinion of what is one of his most bizarre and forgettable roles.
• The film was originally going to be filmed by William Castle in 1959 and was even slated to be in color.
• Most critics hated the film, writing it off as silly at best. Even the marketing department seemed to be a little off-base with this one. One of their “ideas” was to have an “Oriental girl” in a bamboo cage in the lobby. And if you couldn’t find one, just get a white girl to dress up as one. Seriously? I wonder if any theater actually attempted that brilliant idea.
• The rest of director Albert Zugsmith’s career was full of “classics,” such as Sex Kittens Go to College (1960) and The Incredible Sex Revolution (1965).
• Writer Robert Hill is also responsible for Tarzan, the Ape Man (1959), one of the worst Tarzan films ever made.
• Composer Albert Glasser did work on more than 100 films, including Monster from Green Hell (1957) and The Amazing Colossal Man (1957).
• Angelo Rossitto is best remembered for his countless horror roles in films such as Freaks (1932) and Scared to Death (1947) with Bela Lugosi.
• John Fujioka (Auctioneer), billed here as John Mamo, made his theatrical debit here at the age of 37. He went on to star in nearly 100 films and TV roles, including as Kuroda in two episodes of The Six Million Dollar Man, The Last Kamikaze and The Wolf Boy.
• Victor Sen Yung (Wing Young) had previously played Jimmy Chan in the Charlie Chan film series in the 30s and 40s.
• Yvonne Moray (Child) was 44 at the time of filming. This was only her fourth and final film, having appeared as a Lullabye League Member in The Wizard of Oz (1939). She is reportedly still alive, which, if true, would make her 102 years old in 2019.

Availability: Confessions of an Opium Eater is available on an out-of-print DVD. Shop around for the best price!

Countdown to Halloween Day 16 – Master of the World (1961)

Countdown to Halloween Day 16 – Master of the World (1961)
Cast:        Vincent Price as Captain Robur
Charles Bronson as John Strock
Henry Hull as Prudent
Mary Webster as Dorothy Prudent
David Frankham as Philip Evans

Based on the novels Master of the World & Robur, the Conqueror by Jules Verne
Screenplay by Richard Matheson
Directed by William Whitney

Release Date: May 1961

Plot: It’s late in the 19th century and Captain Robur wants to ensure peace on Earth with the power of his airship…even if he has to bomb the nations of the world into submission.

Richard’s Review: This one always gives me a Captain Nemo vibe and with good reason. Jules Verne clearly had a style and certain themes that he liked to revisit and the stories featured in this film are no different. I’ve never really cared for this one much. I’ve given it several attempts over the years and it still hasn’t engaged me. The comedy segments in the kitchen are simply odd and the music is great but out-of-place. And just how much stock footage can you use? There’s also something off about Price’s character, who has a decent idea but a horrible way to execute it. That said, I think this might be the last time watching it as it just doesn’t connect with me.

Karla’s Thoughts: I kind of liked this one as it was different. Philip Evans was definitely the villain of the flick for me, more so than Price. I actually sympathized with his goals, just not how he went about reaching them. I like how the father realized the evil of getting money for weapons. But what was up with the music? It needed to be more suspenseful. However, I’d still watch it again.

Trivia:

• Director William Whitney worked on numerous chapter serials and westerns in the 40s and 50s, including Adventures of Captain Marvel (1941) and Drums of Fu Manchu (1940).
• Charles Bronson is best remembered for his countless western and action films, such as the Death Wish series, The Magnificent Seven (1960) and The Dirty Dozen (1967). However, genre fans will also remember him from The Twilight Zone episode Two with Elizabeth Montgomery.
• Henry Hull also starred in the original Universal horror werewolf flick, Werewolf of London (1935).
• David Frankham is best remembered by Trekkies for his role of Larry Maverick in the Star Trek episode Is There in Truth No Beauty?. He also starred with Vincent Price in Tales of Terror (1962).
• Richard Harrison (Alistair) is best remembered for a variety of sword and sandal epics of the 60s, such as Messalina vs. the Son of Hercules (1964), and European spy flicks, like Secret Agent Fireball (1965).
• Vito Scotti (chef Topage) is well-known character actor but, for me, I’ll always remember him for his roles as the Japanese soldier and Dr. Boris Balinkoff in Gilligan’s Island.
• Wally Campo (Turner) only had 23 acting credits but he managed to also star in several horror flicks, including Beast from the Haunted Cave (1959), The Little Shop of Horrors (1960), Tales of Terror (1962) and The Strangler (1964).

Availability: Master of the World is available on Blu-ray as part of The Vincent Price Collection III.

Countdown to Halloween Day 15 – House of Usher (1960)

Countdown to Halloween Day 15 – House of Usher (1960)
Cast:        Vincent Price as Roderick Usher
Mark Damon as Philip Winthrop
Myrna Fahey as Madeline Usher

Based on The Fall of the House of Usher by Edgar Allan Poe
Screenplay by Richard Matheson
Directed by Roger Corman

Release Date: June 18, 1960

Plot: When Philip Winthrop goes to visit his fiancée Madeline, he finds her near death and his presence is unwelcome by her brother Roderick. There is a curse on the Usher family and evil lurks in the home itself. Can a premature burial stop the curse or just intensify the situation?

Richard’s Review: This isn’t my favorite of the Poe adaptations but it’s definitely fun to see Price chewing up the scenery doing what he does best.  His supporting cast is a little weaker than some of the other Price/Poe/Corman collaborations but the atmosphere and music of Lex Baxter is enough to make up for any deficiencies. Not a go to film for me but still a fun flick for a rainy afternoon.

Karla’s Thoughts: I didn’t really care much for this one. I found the whole story nonsensical and quite convoluted. Vincent Price was enjoyable to watch as usual but I didn’t quite understand his motivations, such as why he felt the need to bury his sister alive. The music was good and the movie looked nice but that’s not enough for me to want to watch it again.

Trivia:

• As of 2019, Roger Corman is still with us at the age of 93 and still producing films. At current count, he has 415 producing credits along with 56 directing credits, his being Frankenstein Unbound in 1990. This was his first film with Vincent Price and they would work together again seven more times.
• Richard Matheson was a legendary writer, including films like The Raven (1963) and The Night Stalker (1972), as well as numerous episodes of The Twilight Zone and even Star Trek (The Enemy Within).
• Mark Damon also worked alongside Boris Karloff in Black Sabbath (1963).
• Myrna Fahey is best remembered for her television in numerous guest starring roles. She died in 1973 at the age of 40 due to cancer.
• Roger Corman filmed a real barn burning down for the climax of this film. The footage was so god, it would appear in several of his films.
• A rare blonde-headed appearance for Vincent Price.
• The Fall of the House of Usher was first filmed in 1928 and the most recent being in an animated 2015 version narrated by Christopher Lee.

Availability: House of Usher is out-of-print but you can still find it on DVD.

Vincent Price in House of Usher, 1960.

Countdown to Halloween Day 14 – Bloodbath at the House of Death (1984)

This week on episode 633 of the Dread Media Podcast, I venture into the 1980s and the final films of the legendary Vincent Price as I take a look at Bloodbath at the House of Death (1984). This one is a comedy of sorts but is it a lost classic?

As always, tell ’em Monster Movie Kid sent ya!

Countdown to Halloween Day 13 – The Bat (1959)

Countdown to Halloween Day 13 – The Bat (1959)
Cast:        Vincent Price as Dr. Malcolm Wells
Agnes Moorehead as Cornelia Van Gorder
Gavin Gordon as Lt. Andy Anderson
Lenita Lane as Lizzie Allen
John Sutton as Warner
Elaine Edwards as Dale Bailey
Darla Hood as Judy Hollander

Based on the play by Mary Roberts Rinehart & Avery Hopwood
Screenplay by Crane Wilbur
Directed by Crane Wilbur

Release Date: August 9, 1959

Plot: There’s a killer called The Bat and he’s on the loose. What does he have to do with stolen bank money? Writer Cordelia Van Gorder wants to solve the crime…if she doesn’t become the next victim.

Richard’s Review: I really enjoy this low-budget thriller. Price is in top form and Agnes Moorehead is simply fun to watch. I wish she would have played Cordelia again. The story was fun with a few twists and, just as I thought I had it figured out, it threw a curve ball at me again. This was my first time in about 15 years to watch this one and I remembered very little about it. That said, I don’t want to wait another 15 to watch it again.

Karla’s Thoughts: I’m really surprised they didn’t do a series on the Cordelia character because I really liked her. I wouldn’t consider this a horror film as it was more of a mystery. I loved Vincent Price in this one, as well as Agnes Moorehead. It had me guessing until about halfway through, and then it had me guessing again until the end. I had to laugh at how silly the policeman getting shot in the climax was and especially Cordelia losing air in the room. However, I’d gladly watch this one again.

Trivia:

• This was one of the last films for writer and director Crane Wilbur, who had previously written the screenplay for House of Wax (1953) and The Mad Magician (1954).
• Agnes Moorehead is best remembered for playing Endora on Bewitched (1964-1972), as well as being the original Margo Lane on The Shadow old time radio show, where she played opposite Orson Welles and Bill Johnstone.
• Gavin Gordon also starred in The Bride of Frankenstein (1935) as Lord Byron and Mystery of the Wax Museum (1933).
• Lenita Lane previously worked with Vincent Price in The Mad Magician (1954).
• John Sutton previously worked with Vincent Price in The Invisible Man Returns (1940).
• Elaine Edwards also starred in Curse of the Faceless Man (1958).
• Darla Hood is best remembered for playing in the Our Gang shorts from 1935 to 1941. This would be her last feature film until Gulliver’s Travels Beyond the Moon (1965), which was followed by two TV movies in 1974 and 1979. She died that same year at the age of 47 of congestive heart failure as a result of acute hepatitis.

Availability: The Bat is available on Blu-ray from The Film Detective.