Countdown to Halloween Day 12 – Dragonwyck (1946)

Countdown to Halloween Day 12 – Dragonwyck (1946)
Cast:        Gene Tierney as Miranda Wells
Vincent Price as Nicolas Van Ryn
Walter Huston as Ephraim Wells
Glenn Langan as Dr. Jeff Turner
Anne Revere as Abigail Wells

Based on the novel by Anya Seton
Screenplay by Joseph Mankiewicz
Directed by Joseph Mankiewicz

Release Date: April 19, 1946

Plot: In 1844, young Miranda Wells is chosen by her rich cousin Nicolas Van Ryn to live with him and his wife. However, all is not as it seems as murder and madness lurks within the walls of the estate known as Dragonwyck.

Richard’s Review: I absolutely loved this film for numerous reasons. First, Vincent Price turns in a fantastic performance as Nicolas Van Ryn. Watching the madness sweep over him in the final act is amazing. Second, Gene Tierney is equally amazing as this is really her film. It’s about her journey of becoming aware of the real world and realizing that all she wanted was really in her own backyard the whole time. Beautifully filmed and thoroughly engaging. It’s definitely not a horror flick, despite a brief visit or two from a possible ghost. Highly recommended!

Karla’s Thoughts: I really liked Dragonwyck and would definitely watch it again. This was not a horror movie at all but more of a drama. I’ve heard that some people find the film scary, which I don’t see at all. It’s really Miranda’s tale of growing up and moving beyond being naïve and innocent. By the end of the film, she’s no longer materialistic. Price isn’t necessarily evil as I believe he loved Miranda in a way but he really wanted her for the son she could give him. His journey is one of a slow descent into madness. One of my favorite Vincent Price films so far.

Trivia:

• Director Joseph Mankiewicz is best remembered for his classic, All About Eve (1950). He also worked with Gene Tierney again in The Ghost and Mrs. Muir (1947). His final film was Sleuth (1972) before retiring. He died in 1993 at the age of 83 due to heart failure. On a side note, he was the granduncle of Ben Mankiewicz, film host at Turner Classic Movies.
• Anya Seton wrote Dragonwyck in 1944 just before Fox acquired the film rights. Of her eventual twelve novels, she only had one other adapted for the silver screen, Foxfire in 1955. Neither novel was considered her best work, as Katherine, Green Darkness and The Winthrop Woman are still considered classics today. She died in 1990 at the age 86.
• Alfred Newman composed a beautiful score and worked on more than 200 other films in his long career, including All About Eve (1950), The Egyptian (1954) and How the West Was Won (1962). He died in 1970 at the young age of 68 due to emphysema.
• Glenn Langan also starred in The Return of Dr. X (1939), Hangover Square (1945) and as Lt. Col. Glenn Manning in The Amazing Colossal Man (1957).
• Walter Huston was second billed but is really only a supporting character in this film. He played Mr. Scratch aka the Devil in The Devil and Daniel Webster (1941) but is best remembered for his role of Howard in The Treasure of the Sierra Madre (1948).
• Anne Revere also worked with Boris Karloff in The Devil Commands (1941).
• Harry Morgan (Klaas Bleecker), billed here as Henry Morgan, is best remembered for playing Col. Potter in 188 episodes of M*A*S*H (1975-1983) and Bill Gannon on Dragnet (1967-1970).
• Spring Byington (Magda) was a well-known character actress in more than 100 film and TV credits. Batman fans might remember her for playing J. Pauline Spaghetti in two episodes in the second season of the late 60s classic series.

Old Time Radio: Dragonwyck was presented on the Lux Radio Theatre on Oct. 7, 1946.

Availability: Dragonwyck is available on Blu-ray from Twilight Time. It was also released on DVD in the Fox Horror Classics Collection Vol. 2 but is now out-of-print.

Countdown to Halloween Day 11 – Shock (1946)

Countdown to Halloween Day 11 – Shock (1946)
Cast:       Vincent Price as Dr. Richard Cross
Lynn Bari as Nurse Elaine Jordan
Frank Latimore as Lt. Paul Stewart
Anabel Shaw as Mrs. Janet Stewart

Story by Albert deMond
Screenplay by Eugene Ling
Directed by Alfred Werker

Release Date: February 1, 1946

Plot: A woman witnesses a murder and, upon being committed to a hospital, finds that her doctor is the killer. Now, she desperately tries to convince everyone else she is not insane before he kills her. Will he get away with two murders?

Richard’s Review: This one isn’t too bad but not necessarily one of Vincent Price’s best films. His character is quite the weasel, allowing a woman to so easily push him into not one but two murders. His battle with his conscience was interesting but how nobody else seemed to question him was frustrating to watch. Paul Stewart also seemed way too trusting. Worth watching once or twice if you were doing something else but, ultimately, rather forgettable.

Karla’s Thoughts: I don’t think I’d rewatch this one again. It left me with a lot of questions, such as why the husband would just randomly trust a doctor he never met and, once he knew Price was trying to kill his wife, why did he not knock him out? Price was good but he played a really weak character, too easily swayed by the nurse. Not horrible but not worth watching again.

Trivia:

• Alfred Werker also directed The House of Rothschild (1934) with Boris Karloff, The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes (1939) with Basil Rathbone, and A- Haunting We Will Go (1942) with Laurel and Hardy.
• Albert deMond also wrote The Sphinx (1933) with Lionel Atwill and The Crimson Ghost (1946).
• Eugene Ling’s last screen credit was the underrated classic, Hand of Death (1962), starring John Agar.
• Lynn Bari also starred in The Amazing Mr. X (1948) and Mr. Moto’s Gamble (1938) with Peter Lorre.
• Frank Latimore worked with Orson Welles in Black Magic (1949), as well as several classics later in his career, including Patton (1970) and All The President’s Men (1976).

Old Time Radio: Shock was presented on Hollywood Star Time on Feb. 3, 1946.

Availability: Shock is available on DVD.

Countdown to Halloween Day 10 – Laura (1944)

Countdown to Halloween Day 10 – Laura (1944)
Cast:        Gene Tierney as Laura Hunt
Dana Andrews as Detective Mark McPherson
Clifton Webb as Waldo Lydecker
Vincent Price as Shelby Carpenter
Judith Anderson as Ann Treadwell

Based on the novel by Vera Caspary
Screenplay by Jay Dratler, Samuel Hoffenstein & Elizabeth Reinhardt
Directed by Otto Preminger

Release Date: November 1944

Plot: Detective Mark McPherson is investigating the murder of Laura Hunt and finds himself falling in love with the woman. There are multiple suspects but is everything is as it seems?

Richard’s Review: It’s hard to believe this is my first viewing but finally, after all of these years, I can now say I’ve seen this classic. This is one of my favorite new home viewings this year. I loved seeing Vincent Price play such a cad as only he could do it. His character is not likeable yet with Price’s performance, you can’t help but like him, at least a little. Gene Tierney is so beautiful here, which a little hard to watch once you know the tragedy that would follow in the years after this film was made. To notch from start to finish and highly recommended!

Karla’s Thoughts: I absolutely loved this movie. We watched the version with the originally deleted montage, which helped me determine who the killer might be. The way a certain character talked about Laura made it easy for me to determine who did it. Price really played a jerk here, which was a little hard to watch, but he did it so well. He was obviously helpless and really in search of someone to take care of him. We watched this one twice already and I’d gladly watch it again and again.

Trivia:

• This was Vincent Price’s personal favorite film. He believed Gene Tierney’s performance was one of the main reasons the film was such a well-loved classic.
• Rouben Mamoulian was the original director but after Otto Preminger saw the first dailies, he pushed for his removal. After he replaced Mamoulian as director, much of the cast resisted his presence but eventually came to realize Otto was a much better choice as he truly understood the characters, most of whom lacked any redeeming qualities.
• Gene Tierney is also remembered for her roles in Leave Her to Heaven (1945), Dragonwyck (1946) and The Ghost and Mrs. Muir (1947). Unfortunately, she would battle depression in the 1950s brought on by the birth of her daughter who suffered from learning disabilities caused by Tierney contracting measles while pregnant. On a personal note, she would spend time at the Menninger Hospital in Topeka, KS and lived in an outpatient home now owned by my sister. Gene Tierney’s photograph is on display in one of the bedrooms, affectionately referred to as the Gene Tierney room.
• Otto Preminger also directed the classic Anatomy of a Murder (1962) and the horrifically bad Skidoo (1968), which was the last feature film for Groucho Marx. Otto also played Mr. Freeze in two episodes of the Batman television series.
• Dana Andrews is well-known by horror fans for his work in the classic Curse of the Demon (1957).
• Clifton Webb had not acted on screen in nearly 15 years before return in Laura. This sparked a second career for the actor, including the classic Cheaper by the Dozen (1950).
• Judith Anderson also starred in Rebecca (1940) among many other films but Trekkies will remember her for playing the Vulcan High Priestess in Star Trek III: The Search for Spock (1984).
• David Raskin’s music is simply amazing and was widely popular. Johnny Mercer went on to write lyrics for the music, which was recorded by numerous artists over the years, including Frank Sinatra.

Old Time Radio: Laura was presented on the Lux Radio Theatre on Feb. 5, 1945.

Availability: Laura is available on Blu-ray.

Countdown to Halloween Day 9 – Twice Told Tales (1963)

Jeff and I call this month’s meeting of the Classic Horrors Club to order as we discuss three anthology films from three different decades: Dead of Night (1945), Asylum (1972) and Twice Told Tales (1963) starring Mr. Vincent Price. Sit back and make yourselves comfortable as we face ventriloquist dummies, eternal youth potions, and severed limbs in episode 36 of the Classic Horrors Club Podcast!. Only together can we survive…

Thanks to Bill Mize, Jonathan Angarola, and Steve Turek (in spirit) who provided feedback for this episode! Send us your feedback!

You can call: (616) 649-2582 That’s (616) 649-CLUB

or email: classichorrorsclub@gmail.com

or join us in our clubhouse at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/classichorrors.club/

We’d also appreciate if you’d give us an honest rating on Apple Podcasts or SoundCloud. Thank you!

You can find Jeff at http://classichorrors.club

As part of this month’s celebration of all things that go Price in the night, might I suggest Into the Velvet Darkness: A Celebration of Vincent Price, the latest book from We Belong Dead featuring our very own Mr. Jeff Owens!

Countdown to Halloween Day 8 – The House of the Seven Gables (1940)

Countdown to Halloween Day 8 – The House of the Seven Gables (1940)
Cast:        George Sanders as Jaffrey Pyncheon
Margaret Lindsay as Hepzibah Pyncheon
Vincent Price as Clifford Pyncheon
Dick Foran as Matthew Holgrave
Nan Grey as Phoebe Pyncheon

Based on the novel by Nathanial Hawthorne
Screenplay by Lester Cole
Directed by Joe May

Release Date: April 12, 1940

Plot: Jaffrey Pyncheon is content with seeing his brother Clifford go to prison for murdering their father, a crime he didn’t commit, in order to take the treasure he believes is hidden in the family home. Will the family curse strike once again or will he succeed in his evil plans?

Richard’s Review: I thoroughly enjoyed this classic. Perhaps it’s because I’ve actually visited the real house in Salem or maybe it’s because I simply love Vincent Price. In either case, the movie weaves an interesting story with just a hint of mystery, surrounding the lost treasure, and horror. Just what was really going on with those deaths? George Sanders played an excellent villain, evil and greedy, yet almost spineless at times. Price is quite young here but still a joy to watch on screen. Highly recommended!

Karla’s Thoughts: I really liked this version, unlike the one seen in Twice Told Tales. This film has a happy ending, which I always prefer. I was expecting it to be at least a little scarier than it was. I like all of the characters and was glad to see they brought in the character of Matthew Maule, at least somewhat. I thought Vincent Price did a great job and, once again, I really liked Nan Grey. I would definitely watch this one again.

Trivia:

• Joe May also directed The Invisible Man Returns (1940).
• Lester Cole also wrote the screenplay for The Invisible Man Returns (1940).
• Vincent Price would play the character of Gerald Pyncheon (seen in this movie as the father) in a segment of Twice Told Tales (1963). That adaptation was true horror where here the story plays out as a dramatic thriller with only a hint of horror.
• George Sanders also starred in Green Hell (1940), Rebecca (1940), The Lodger (1944) and The Picture of Dorian Gray (1945). He also played Simon Templar in five Saint movies, a character Vincent Price played on the radio.
• Margaret Lindsay worked with Boris Karloff in British Intelligence (1940).
• Dick Foran played Steve Banning in The Mummy’s Hand (1940) and The Mummy’s Tomb (1942).
• Nan Grey also starred in The Invisible Man Returns (1940).
• Alan Napier, who appeared as Fuller, is best remembered for playing Alfred in the Batman television series.

Availability: House of the Seven Gables is available on Blu-ray.

Countdown to Halloween Day 7 – The Invisible Man Returns (1940)

Countdown to Halloween Day 7 – The Invisible Man Returns (1940)
Cast:        Vincent Price as Geoffrey Radcliffe
Sir Cedric Hardwicke as Richard Cobb
Nan Grey as Helen Manson
John Sutton as Dr. Frank Griffin

Based on characters created by H.G. Wells
Screenplay by Lester Cole & Curt Siodmak
Story by Joe May & Curt Siodmak
Directed by Joe May

Release Date: January 12, 1940

Plot: Geoffrey Radcliffe has been framed for murder and just as he’s about to be hanged for his supposed crime, he escapes from prison. Now invisible, he’s out to find the real killer before the police find him.

Richard’s Review: I think this is the strongest of the Invisible Man sequels, mostly because it has the presence of Vincent Price. Granted, his real screen time is mere seconds but his voice is present throughout, which greatly enhances the film. The plot is a simple one but it works. However, I don’t think the invisibility is done as well here as in the original. That said, I’ll always watch this one again.

Karla’s Thoughts: I really liked it except for the animal cruelty parts. The story was good and I always like a happy ending with the bad guy being caught. Price was good but seemed so young here. I thought the cure was interesting. I also really enjoyed Nan Grey. I’d definitely watch this one again.

Trivia:

• A loosely based sequel to the 1933 original starring Claude Rains. His character is briefly mentioned along with a picture seen in a folder. Beyond that, there is little to connect the two films. However, the film is listed as a sequel to H.G. Wells’ The Invisible Man.
• This was Vincent Price’s first true horror film. He starred alongside Boris Karloff and Basil Rathbone in Tower of London (1939), which is more of a period piece than a true horror film.
• Vincent Price made Green Hell right after this film but it was released one day earlier.
• Curt Siodmak is a Universal horror legend, also writing The Wolf Man (1940), Black Friday (1940) and Frankenstein Meets the Wolf Man (1943), among many other classics.
• Joe May also directed House of the Seven Gables (1940).
• Lester Cole also wrote the screenplay for House of Seven Gables (1940).
• Sir Cedric Hardwicke also starred in The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1939) and The Ghost of Frankenstein (1942).
• Nan Grey also starred in House of the Seven Gables (1940).
• John Sutton played John Wyatt in Tower of London (1939).
• Alan Napier, who appeared as Willie Spears, is better remembered for playing Alfred in the Batman television series.

Availability: The Invisible Man Returns is available on Blu-ray as part of the Universal Classic Monsters Complete 30-Film Collection.

Countdown to Halloween Day 6 – Vincent Price on the Radio

We all know the filmography of Vincent Price but just how well do you know his radio career?

Vincent actually had a prolific career during the glory days of old time radio. While some of his appearances were crime dramas like the The Saint or comedic guest appearances on such shows as The Jack Benny Program, he also had quite a few trips into the horror realm on shows like Suspense or Escape.

So, during this Halloween season, turn off the TV for a little while and let the imagination of your mind take you into the dark corners of a golden age. Below are just some suggestions for the first steps of your journey.

Suspense

• Death of Charles Umberstein (11-23-43)

• Playlist at nearly five hours long that includes Fugue in C Minor (6-1-44), The Name of the Beast (4-11-46), Hunting Trip (9-12-46), Hands of Mr. Ottermole (12-2-48), Present Tense (3-3-57), Green and Gold String (6-9-57), Pit and the Pendulum (11-10-57), Rave Notice (6-1-58), Three Skeleton Key (10-18-58) and Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge (7-19-59)

Escape

• Present Tense (1-31-50)
• Three Skeleton Key (3-17-50)
• Bloodbath (6-30-50)

Price of Fear

This BBC Radio series originally aired for two seasons in 1973 and 1974. Price came back for a third and final season in 1983. This playlist includes 17 of the 20 episodes.

Countdown to Halloween Day 5 – Green Hell (1940)

This month on episode 60 of the Mihmiverse Monthly Audiocast, the Kansas City Crypt celebrates the Countdown to Halloween and Vincent Price with a look at Green Hell (1940)! It’s not quite horror but we have jungles, lost cities and natives carrying poison darts, plus a very young Vincent Price!

Green Hell (1940) is not commercially available on DVD or Blu-ray, so you’re gonna need to dig around for a copy of this one!

Be sure to check out the online home of the films of Christopher R. Mihm for all of the great merchandise and information on how you can help make future films happen! Chris is hard at work on the next two chapters in the Mihmiverse story as he is in post-production of The Phantom Lake Kids in The Beast Walks Among Us and pre-production for That Which Lurks in the Dark for 2020. Check out sainteuphoria.com to learn how you can contribute today!

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

Countdown to Halloween Day 4 – Time Express (1979)

Countdown to Halloween – Day 4: Time Express (1979)
Cast:       Vincent Price as Jason Winters
Coral Browne as Maggie Winters
Woodrow Parfrey as Ticket Agent
William Phipps as E. Patrick Callahan
James Reynolds as R.J. Walker

Television series created by Ivan Goff & Ben Roberts
Episodes written by Richard M. Bluel, Pat Fielder, Alfred Hayes, Stephen Kandel & Gerald Stanford
Episodes directed by Alan J. Levi, Michael Caffey & Arnold Laven

Release Date: April 26 – May 17, 1979

Plot: Jason and Maggie Winters are the hosts aboard a mysterious time traveling train that takes its passengers back in time to key moments in their lives.

Richard’s Review: I had never even heard of Time Express until the last year and had quite the difficult time in locating a DVD of the series. My copy is obviously a dub of an off-air VHS recording, so the quality is rough at best. However, it didn’t deter from enjoying this series for what it was: a ripoff of Fantasy Island set on a train with a sci-fi twist. Price and his real life wife are good in their limited roles, pulling off their version of Mr. Roarke and Tattoo. The mystery behind the train is only partially revealed as we eventually learn that the crew is dead, victims of a train crash 100 years ago. Beyond that, nothing is ever learned of the mysterious benefactor. The guest stars were all enjoyable enough but the writing is really sub-par, an obvious reason for the shows eventual demise. The premise was unique but I found it hard to believe people would just randomly get on a train they knew nothing about after receiving an unrequested ticket in the mail. But, if you can get beyond the poor writing, it’s fun to see Price and his wife have some fun. Beyond that, it’s largely forgettable.

Karla’s Thoughts: I actually enjoyed this series despite some poor writing. I probably would have watched this show back in 1979 had I heard about it. Vincent Price was quite good as the host and I enjoyed seeing familiar faces in the cast. However, the stories are far too simplistic. I can see how it was quickly canceled but it’s a shame because the premise was quite interesting, just poorly executed.

Trivia:

• Vincent was married to Coral Browne from October 1974 until her death on May 29, 1991. Aside from appearing in Theater of Blood (1973), she is most remembered for her role of Vera Charles in Auntie Mame (1958).
• Ivan Goff and Ben Roberts had a much bigger hit with their series Charlie’s Angels, which ran for 110 episodes between 1976 and 1981.
• Woodrow Parfrey, a well accomplished character actor, played Maximus in Planet of the Apes (1968).
• William Phipps also starred in The War of the Worlds (1953), Invaders from Mars (1953) and Cat-Women of the Moon (1953).
• James Reynolds may be best remembered for his role of Abe Carver in the daytime soap opera Days of Our Lives, but he also appeared in the infamous Devil Dog: The Hound of Hell (1978).
• Familiar actors of the late 70s who appeared in this short-lived series include Lee Meriwether (Batman, Star Trek, The Time Tunnel), Vic Tayback (Star Trek), Lyle Waggoner (Wonder Woman), Paul Carr (Star Trek) and John Beck (Rollerball).

Availability: Not commercially available on DVD.

Countdown to Halloween Day 3 – More Dead Than Alive (1969)

Countdown to Halloween – Day 3: More Dead Than Alive (1969)
Cast:        Clint Walker as Killer Cain
Vincent Price as Dan Ruffalo
Anne Francis as Monica Alton
Paul Hampton as Billy Valence
Craig Littler as Karma
Mike Henry as Luke Santee

Written by George Schenck
Directed by Robert Sparr

Release Date: December 1968

Plot: Killer Cain is released from prison after serving 18 years for killing 12 men. However, life is much harder on the outside as he tries to leave his past behind him in pursuit of a future. He finds a job and the love of a woman but can he ever truly escape his past?

Richard’s Review: This was a first time viewing for me and I really loved it. Clint Walker was very believable as the former gunslinger wanting to forget the past in the dying days of the old west. Vincent is in a supporting role here but he shines every time he’s on screen. Paul Hampton is so over-the-top crazy as the bad guy wannabe but he does get annoying at times. I didn’t really care for the theme music and I wasn’t quite sure how I felt about Anne Francis’ role. Her appearance seemed anachronistic at times and her love story was certainly a different one. However, just as the movie is wrapping up and things appear to be headed into the sunset, the shock ending is thrust at you. I didn’t see it coming and when it hits you, it really does change the whole movie. I’d watch it again but with a very different set of eyes knowing what was coming up.

Karla’s Thoughts: I really liked this movie until the final scene but what was up with the theme music? Such an odd choice. I enjoyed Clint Walker’s character and Vincent Price was quite good but I wanted to see more of him. I really hated the character of Billy as he was so annoying. It was a good story of a man who really wasn’t that bad and had served his time for his crime. However, the final scene ruined the film for me. I could never rewatch it for that reason.

Trivia:

• Robert Sparr is best remembered for his television, which included episodes of Star Trek, Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea, The Rat Patrol and Batman. He had previously directed Clint Walker in 11 episodes of the television series Cheyenne. He was killed at the age of 53 while scouting locations in 1969.
• George Schenck also wrote Superbeast (1972) and Futureworld (1976).
• Clint Walker is best known for starring as Cheyenne Bodie in 108 episodes of the television series Cheyenne (1955-1952) but horror genre fans may remember from Scream of the Wolf (1974) and Snowbeast (1977).
• Anne Francis is best remembered for her role of Altaira Morbius in the sci-fi classic, Forbidden Planet (1956).
• Craig Littler played the lead role in the classic Saturday morning television series, Jason of Star Command (1978-1979), which also featured Sid Haig (Spider Baby) and James Doohan (Star Trek).
• Mike Henry is best known for his three Tarzan films in the 1960s as well as The Green Berets (1968), Soylent Green (1973) and the Smokey and the Bandit film series.
• Paul Hampton also starred in Women of the Prehistoric Planet (1968) as well as guest roles in numerous television shows, including Babylon 5.

Availability: Available on Blu-ray from Kino Lorber.