Shock (1946)

With my appetite for mindless exploitation complete, I decided to dive into something totally different with some classic cinema film noir. My selection for the evening, the 1946 entry, Shock!

Plot/ A psychologically distraught woman is committed to a private sanitarium by the man whom she witnessed commit a murder.

This early Price Thriller is a far cry from the movies that made him a Horror Icon. As usual, Price delivers a solid performance throughout this rather lackluster affair. While the premise is sound (possibly a bit cliché today), the cinematography (even for that time) leaves a bit to be desired, almost trying to imitate the great Alfred Hitchcock’s mastery and wasting an opportunity to create a tremendously dark and atmospheric film. In fact, the flick just seems to plod along even though it featured a great score which did what it could to enhance the mood.  In the end, Prices’ performance is for not in this run-of-the-mill thriller. If you are a fan of the great Vincent Price, check it out once to see young Vincent in action, everyone else, save your 70 minutes for something else.

Master of the World (1961)

As I searched for something to watch today in honor of the great Vincent Price, who would have turned 100 today, I wanted to watch something different. That is when I stumbled upon the Jules Verne inspired 1960s Steampunk enthused Master of the World.

Plot/ The world in the late 19th century: A scientist and his team are held as "guests" of Robur on his airship, that he want to use to ensure peace on earth. Peace with all, even if he has to bombard military targets all over the world. Can the scientist stop him?

This is a very underrated film, that actually gets very little mention when talking about Price. Richard Matheson’s fun adaptation of two Verne stories is tremendous and allows the actors to shine (especially Price, who is perfect as Robur). The cinematography, production values and set designs are wonderful and the soundtrack fits the mood, atmosphere and story perfectly. Yes, the special effects are not top notch (even for that era) and some of the costumes are laughable, but those do not impact the overall feel of this flick. As a fan of Price and the Steampunk Movement, this film truly hit the spot. Check it out if you are in the mood for an inventive Sci-Fi Adventure.

The Oblong Box (1969)

There is nothing like waking up in the morning to a movie that combined so many classic horror icons. Yesterday, I got to enjoy Edgar Allan Poe , Christopher Lee and Vincent Price  in 1969s The Oblong Box.

Plot/ Aristocrat Julian Markham keeps his disfigured brother, Sir Edward, locked in a tower of his house. Occasionally Sir Edward escapes and causes havoc around the town.

  

This was another film that was very loosely on the writings of Poe. Combine that with the talents of Price and Lee, and you should have a masterpiece. Regrettably, you do not.  This flick definitely maintains a dark, gloomy, gothic atmosphere throughout, and definitely does a great job at staying true to the period. Unfortunately, this flick was mired in bad luck from the beginning and these happenings seemed to impact the entire project. The acting, plot and scripting were constantly in flux, moving in different directions that cause constant continuity issues. Even the performances of Price and Lee were a bit uneven, almost uninspired. In the end, this movie is definitely watchable. It is not the greatest but it is not the worst.

The Tingler (1959)

Now that Cryptozoology Week is over, it is time to catch up on some of the great movies I have watched this week besides ones featuring unknown creatures. Well, some do that as well, but do not fit into the Cryptozoological realm. One such feature is William Castle’s 1959 Vincent Price Classic, The Tingler

Plot/ After years of research, a scientist discovers a caterpillar-like parasite that grows in the human spine when someone is afraid. Unless the victim screams, the parasite can grow large enough to be deadly. Soon, he names this creature the tingler.

Even after all of these years, this movie stands as one of the most interesting horror movies ever made. Yes, it is the picture of low budget B movie heaven boasting a great idea, laughable script, poor dialogue and uneven acting. However, even with Castle's signature gimmicks, the film really works. Price is in full glory, with one of his best performances (complete with an awesome acid trip).  The effects are solid and the monster itself is a classic. In the end, this film is something special and a definite Must See!

House of Long Shadows (1983)

  

After a couple of days of work taking a chunk out of my evening, it was time to get back into the swing of things. My movie selection for the evening, 1983s House of Long Shadows.

Plot/ An American writer goes to a remote Welsh manor on a $20,000 bet: can he write a classic novel like "Wuthering Heights" in twenty-four hours? Upon his arrival, however, the writer discovers that the manor, thought empty, actually has several, rather odd, inhabitants.

What a treat, four great horror actors, Peter Cushing, John Carradine, Christopher Lee and Vincent Price, come together and create an awesome film. Yes, it is far from perfect; suffering from bad pacing, soma bad acting (Desi Arnaz Jr.), and an ending that definitely leaves an unresolved feeling. However, just seeing the four great work and mesh together is more than enough to carry the flick. While not a masterpiece, it is definitely worth watching!

The Raven (1963)

After a long day, I decided to turn to something reliable to put a smile on my face. What is that? The combination of Roger Corman, Vincent Price and Edgar Allan Poe, in 1963s The Raven.

Plot/ A magician who has been turned into a raven turns to a former sorcerer for help in this film loosely based on the Edgar Allen Poe poem.

While this Roger Corman adaptation of Poe’s The Raven is far from a horror flick, it is definitely a must see for horror fans. Yes, there is not much linking the film to Poe other than the title, but what Richard Matheson’s scripting created is one of the best Corman trips into the world of Poe. Littered with comedy, the fusing of Vincent Price, Peter Lorre and Boris Karloff (with a young Jack Nicholson), really works within the confines of this often overlooked Corman masterpiece. The special effects are decent (especially on the budget), the sets are tremendous and the script is amazing. Yes, there are flaws (as there are in all of Corman’s low-budget flicks), but they are easily overlooked. Check this out, you will not be disappointed.