The Tomb Of Ligeia (1964)

4 / 5 Oct '10
Tagline: Even on her wedding night she must share the man she loved with the "female thing" that lived in the Tomb of the Cat!
Directed by: Roger Corman
Written by: Edgar Allan Poe
Actors include: Vincent Price, Elizabeth Shepherd, John Westbrook
Genre: Horror
Length: 81 minutes
Banned: Nope

Review:
Another fun Poe/Vincent Price/Roger Corman film and in fact it was the last in this series with Corman & Poe. Verden Fell (Price who seems too old to be in the role but who cares) plays a reclusive man who meets and falls in love with and marries Lady Rowena (Elizabeth Shepherd). The only problem is that Verden was married before to a Lady Ligea who tragically died, and he's still obsessed with her. There is also a black cat who lingers about and seems less than welcoming, especially to Lady Rowena. After a while of this environment some strange changes start taking place with Lady Rowena's behavior as well, but what could be going on? It's very stylish and the scenery and ruins are superb to watch, the actors really make this easy to enjoy as well. It's not the best film in their series of collaborations but it's still quite good and worthy of a viewing.

Availability:  On DVD

Tales Of Terror (1962)

4 / 5 May '10
Tagline: A Trilogy of Shock and Horror!
Directed by: Roger Corman
Written by: Edgar Allan Poe, Richard Matheson
Actors Include:  Vincent Price, Basil Rathbone, Peter Lorre
Genre: Horror
Length: 89 minutes
Banned: Nope

Review:
This is a very cute yet slightly uneven trilogy of tales featuring the irresistible Mr. Vincent Price. It's got Roger Corman directing and producing plus it's loosely based around Poe tales...what more could one want? The first story "Morella" is about a daughter returning home to her Father (Price) who just happens to be rather unhappy to see her. He blames her for her Mother's death, and Mommy's corpse is still in his house even! The daughter doesn't have long to live so the father and she try to get along. The thing is, Mommy is still very unhappy... It's rather cheesy and the effects are laughable but yet it's still a decent little tale.
The second story "The Black Cat" is probably the best retelling of that tale that I've seen yet. I love Peter Lorre as the grumpy intoxicated black cat hatin' Montresor. He tales his wife's sewing money for booze because he's such a drunk even though it's their food money, he treats everyone rather cruelly but he knows his wine. He brings home fellow wine taster champion Fortunado (Price hamming it up big time) who just happens to start an affair with Montresor's wife. Let's just say this doesn't go well and if you know the story you can guess what happens next. Definitely the best tale of the trilogy.
Lastly we have "The Case of M. Valdemar" which has a dying Price who is being hypnotized by a cruel jerk who manages to prolong his peace in death by keeping him partially alive and trapped in a hypnotic state. It's kinda neat and not a bad tale but it could have been a little more exciting.
Still it's a fairly charming and memorable little trilogy, very little graphic stuff and blood despite what the back of the case would have you believe. Still great actors and creative story telling takes this a long way.

Availability:  On DVD

The Haunted Palace (1963)

4.5 / 5  Mar '10
Tagline: A warlock's home is his castle...Forever!
Directed by: Roger Corman
Written by: H.P. Lovecraft, Charles Beaumont
Actors include: Vincent Price, Lon Chaney Jr., Debra Paget
Genre: Horror
Length: 87 minutes
Banned: Nope

Review:
Definitely one of the most underrated Roger Corman films, I mean I really hadn't heard much of anything about it until I was researching Corman's films. This particular one is loosely based upon a poem from Poe but it takes it's influence more from a story by H.P. Lovecraft. The story begins with the perfectly cast Vincent Price as a Warlock being burned alive by the townspeople for being evil. The Warlock vows revenge on the townspeople and their kin of course. Then we jump ahead 110 years to the Warlock's great great Grandson Charles (also played by Price) who along with his wife are wishing to move into the palace from his heritage. The townspeople are less than friendly (and they hang out in a bar called "The Burning Man") yet there is some power in the house that won't let him leave. The spirit of his great great Grandfather seems to be invading Charles in order to obtain his revenge! It's violent, beautifully filmed in the style of a Hammer picture with elaborate sets and costumes and of course it has a dark sense of humor too. I really think that any fan of horror, Lovecraft, Price or Poe should absolutely love this one.

Availability:  On DVD as part of a 2fer with Tower Of London

Attack Of The Crab Monsters (1957)

3 / 5 Mar '10
Tagline: From the depths of the sea... a tidal wave of terror!
Directed by: Roger Corman
Written by: Charles B. Griffith
Actors include: Richard Garland, Pamela Duncan, Russell Johnson
Genre: Sci-fi, Horror
Length: 62 minutes
Banned: Nope

Review:
Oh it's pretty cheesy and if it had been any longer than 62 minutes I might have had to drop my rating slightly but it's a slick to the point monster film and nothing more. It's cheap surely, but it's an early Roger Corman flick, what does one expect? Considering how early this is it does have a bit of blood and disaster in it, and the crab monsters do look menacing I suppose. The monster in this case (as was the case with many films of this time) was created because of the H-Bomb but the unusual thing about these crab creatures is that they can imitate the voices and thoughts from the people they kill. Sort of an odd twist that I liked to the whole thing, however generic in some ways it feels. This isn't going to make a heck of a lot of sense to anyone nor is it one of the best science fiction pieces, but there is something entertaining about it but that's the Corman in it I think. Worth a view for genre fans but not necessary for most I'd say.

Availability:  On DVD

The Premature Burial (1962)

4 / 5 Mar '10
Tagline: Within the Coffin I Lie...ALIVE!
Directed by: Roger Corman
Written by: Charles Beaumont, Edgar Allan Poe
Actors include: Ray Milland, Hazel Court, Richard Ney
Genre: Horror, Drama, Mystery
Length: 81 minutes
Banned: Finland

Review:
I quite liked this 'un but the pairing of Poe and Roger Corman is a pretty easy win. In this tale a fellow named Guy (Ray Milland) who's old girlfriend Emily (Hazel Court) has come back into his life hoping to get married. The two wed despite protests from Guy's sister Kate but soon it becomes clear that something is wrong with Guy. He's paranoid about being buried alive and he even builds an elaborate contraption of a coffin that would keep him from being buried alive. Emily feels he spends more time obsessing over his future death than with her and gives him the ultimatum of his contraption or her and well it goes on from there. It's pretty darkly comical and well presented, the acting is quite good and the story is clear and interesting. It also has some nice horror payoff in the end, and it's very short and sweet. An enjoyable well made little film that I think most should be able to enjoy!

Availability:  On DVD as part of a 2fer with The Masque Of The Red Death

The Masque Of Red Death (1964)

4.5 / 5 Mar '10
Tagline: LOOK INTO THIS FACE - SHUDDER... at the blood-stained dance of the Red Death! TREMBLE... to the hideous tortures of the catacombs of Kali! GASP... at the sacrifice of the innocent virgin to the vengeance of Baal!
Directed by: Roger Corman
Written by: Charles Bowmont, R. Wright Campbell
Actors include: Vincent Price, Hazel Court, Jane Asher
Genre: Horror
Length: 89 minutes
Banned: Finland

Review:
I actually thought this was pretty great, seriously elaborate and detailed and garish but in the best possible way! Roger Corman is the director here and I definitely appreciate his work but this doesn't even seem like him at all, it's so technically proficient! Vincent Price is perfect as the sadistic Satan worshiping rich jerk Prince Prospero, the dialog is pretty hilarious in places in a dark dark way. Prospero resides over a gigantic castle, and the "red death" plague seems to be swiping the poor folks. Prospero has taken in his wealthy friends to reside in his castle to worship Satan, dance and to avoid getting sick. He plans one heck of a costume party that one will never forget! Along the way he abducts a beautiful peasant girl (Jane Asher) and her Boyfriend and Father with the intent to kill the Men and to keep the female. This of course doesn't sit well with Prospero's lady friend and Satan's bride Juliana (Hazel Court) who seems rather jealous. The ending simply must be seen to be believed...I don't think I could describe it if I tried. This story is superb, it's bloody and violent so horror fans should love it, and it's thoroughly entertaining from start to finish. Of course this is based upon the short story from Poe called "The Mask Of Red Death" which I honestly haven't read so I can't compare, but I'll definitely read it after this. Highly recommended for those who like camp, Poe or horror, one of the best of it's kind!

Availability:  On DVD as part of a 2fer with Premature Burial