There is an interview with her, promoting the book, on youtube. She mentions the portrait paintings, and the artist behind them, in The House of Usher, and how much her father recognized the genius of the painter.
@@kirbyculp3449I have his cook books which he released on cassette tape in the 80s. I found them at a thrift store when I was younger. Listening to him was a pleasure all it's own.
By far 'The Pit and the Pendulum' is the scariest of the series, to me at least. I absolutely love how Vincent Price plays a tortured individual and goes mad at the end of the film. The costumes, the sets, the matte paintings, the props and the music all work for me on this one. 'The Raven' is fun with it's cast and macabre humor, I'd put this second on the list.
Best part of getting to stay up late on a Saturday night as a kid was getting to watch Vincent Price movies all night. I especially loved the awesome and hilarious duo of Price and Peter Lorre.
The Pit and the Pendulum is my favourite in Corman’s Poe series. I think I enjoy it the most because Price’s character is very sympathetic and is driven mad through the course of the film unlike Usher where you can feel the insanity leeching out of him from his first scene. Thank you so much for a wonderful retrospective on some of my favourite Vincent Price films!
My personal favorite is MASQUE OF THE RED DEATH. It's one of my Halloween pictures. I've always enjoyed your Dark Corners specials. Your approach is insightful without being dryly analytical.
Known as a B-grade schlockmeister through the 1950s, Corman suddenly comes through with this series of low-budget but very excellently done and intelligent classical horror films (including The Terror, which wasn't part of the Poe cycle but fell in between those films), the best of which, in my view, was The Masque Of The Red Death.
I love it when Dark Corners does long form content. I am not well acquainted with Corman's Poe films so this was incredibly informative. Top drawer Dark Corners!
I have to say, there is something surreal about _The Haunted Palace_ having Price and Chaney and all this old-school horror vibe, while saying words like "Necronomicon", "Cthulhu", and "Yog-Sothoth"
I don't think it is my personal favorite but it Premature Burial stayed with me decades after I seen it. It was the first of Corman/Poe movies I seen. I must have been in my early teens. For years after I had a fear of such things.
I can't think of The Raven without A Comedy of Terrors even though it's not really connected except by it's cast. Remember reading that Karloff, Lorre, Price and Rathbone were eager to do more films like it but the passing of Rathbone ended that. Also lovely to see how good Lorre was at comedy.
This is brilliant. Your hard work really shows in this Corman tribute. I have vivid memories of watching these bewitching films...& being scared to death. Thank-you for this👏🙏
Robin, this one was tremendous! Vincent Price is one of my favourite actors! I love any film he is in, horror or not. Congratulations on another triumph.
23:30 - Most people when rain ruins their outdoor weekend plans: "Well, shoot. Guess I'll just go the movies or the mall or maybe curl up with a book at home." Roger Corman: "Well, shoot. Guess I'll just have to make a whole new movie to fill up my weekend." That's Roger for you.
Masque of the Red Death is brilliant! So is The Saint Valentines Day Massacre! The Conqueror Worm is a film that just stuck with me. I saw that late one night with my Dad, he had never seen it before either. It was the first time I saw my Father react to a movie the same way that I reacted. The ending to that movie is so painful when he is screaming, "You took him away from me!" and the girl is completely breaking down, it is unnerving. My Old Man was no pushover, he was a combat vet and it took a lot to shake him up! We were not prepared for the tone of that film! My Dad was intrigued by the time period, post English Civil War, when these Witch Hunters wielded unyielding power, that was the part that shook him up. Price was not just menacing, he was dangerous! My Dad HATED those types of people! We talked about that movie for a long time, and it was kind of the first "grown up" conversation I had with my Dad. I was probably11, maybe 12. Pop liked these types of movies and took me to see many of them. He made me promise not to tell my Mom, and I never did! Corman is still one of my favorite film makers!
It is worth noting that there were more than just eight poe movies produced by American international. So there’s room for part 2 if you wanted to do that. Anyway, Masque of The Red Death is easily my favorite of these eight movies.
Looking forward to this especially after just finishing your last book the wolf the raven and the black cat. Throughout reading it I couldn't help picturing Peter Cushing as Edgar. A wonderful read, next one please. Huge thank you for all you work on this channel.
There is a sequence in Pit And The Pendulum which, for me, is one of the most spine-tingling yet weirdly beautiful shots in any horror film. The camera pans along side of a nearly insane Nicholas Medina (Price) as his face seems to float with complete obliviousness THROUGH cobwebs in the dark bowels of the castle while being beckoned on by the voice of his dead wife. It is only moments on screen, but moments of pure artistry in every aspect of this classic. Great Corman retrospective!
@@tskmaster3837 Lovecraft, a noted antiquarian and Anglophile would have used the older, British pronounciation - like how Greenwich in New York is "Grenich."
@bobbyd.1890 The characters in the story would call it Done Witch.... like how Greenwich is "green witch". We can pronounce words fine, its not our fault the English couldn't spell.
@@tskmaster3837 If Lovecraft could have foreseen his stories getting made into films, he'd have used that pronunciation to mark which of his characters were uneducated bumpkins (he was also a massive classist)
@@christopherwall2121 You mean like how he had all the people in Dunwich speak? Which gets REALLY complicated when the educated bumpkins like Wilbur Watley starts speaking. Great story, full of insidious contradictions. Because there IS one Dunwich resident who speaks like the "better" people from Arkham University... he's not named though... not really a "he" either. Also, it's not educated. You think Lovecraft was trying to say something or it's only a coincidence that its first words were clearly spoken but also its last?
It amazes me that Vincent Price managed to squeeze all his radio, movie, and TV appearances into only 82 years. It also amazes me that Poe amassed his oeuvre in only 40 years. And Roger Corman...
Another great retrospect! Complete agreement about "The Raven". It is the most fun and watching Karloff, Lorre and Price all together is a complete blast. I know that "The Comedy of Terrors" isn't part of the cycle, but I sort of count it along with them, and watching those three plus Basil Rathbone is a joy to behold. You're assessment (and ranking) of the films is spot on. Myself, I love all of Corman's Poe (and one Lovecraft) films. Hopefully, you guys will do another one of these soon.
To honor the late Roger Corman, I shared this on my FB page and hope some of my friends discover this excellent and enjoyable channel. This is such a well-researched and thoughtful look at these classic films.
This documentary is the best one I've ever seen on RUclips, especially the parts that featured Vincent Price in them, because Vincent Price is my favorite horror film actor, and I have been a fan of his ever since the 1970s.
I seem to remember watching these films on BBC2 back when i was a teenager. Enjoyed them all and although I've always greatly appreciated Vincent Price my thoughts on him only rose. The Masque of the Red Death is my personal favourite. Just something about arrogance getting its comeuppance and the sheer spectacle of it all. Thanks for a great run through.
We had the Supreme pleasure to drive Victoria Price, Julie Corman, and Roger Corman around Portland, Oregon for a weekend during a horror con. Memories to last a lifetime. Lovely people!
I grew up watching these lush,colourful late night fims,loved them as a kid but now have a whole new appreciation of them.I like to recognise parts of the sets from the other films,so youll notice carpets and furniture from house of usher turns up in pit and the pendulum,also the non poe film the haunting with karloff and nicholson!
i grew up watching these films on the late night movie in the 70's and have recently rediscovered them on the internet thank you for reviewing the series i really feel this is one of the classic horror series and should be better remembered my favourite is pit and the pendulum ! its nice to see someone who enjoys these old films like i do !
Pit and the Pendulum showed on network TV when I was like 11 years old and terrified the CRAP out of me. To this day I think it's the creepiest and most suspenseful of the Poe films.
Great retrospective, alway appraciate these longer form videos. My intro to both Corman and Price was "The Fall of the House of Usher", which was shown in my Jr. High just before Halloween (way back in the mid-1970s). Later found out that the principal was a huge movie fan (esp. of Corman) and got premission to show the film as a "special event" in "film and literature appreciation".
Excellent work as always! If I may add a footnote to the HOUSE OF USHER discussion, Vincent ROCKS every outfit he wears (especially the red one), even more than in others in the series.
i read "the price of fear", about vincecnt price's life and film career, and just finished "a life in film", about peter cushing, both of which have a few chapters detailing their careers in the roger corman universe. i love your film summaries and your conclusions with regards to "the best" at the end of this presentation are terrific :D
Thank you Roger Corman for making these amazing adaptations of Poe's works. In many ways they were the first introductions to the works of Poe for generations of film and horror fans. Rest in peace Mr. Corman.
Not only is this one of my top 5 favorite Vincent Price films, this is probably gonna go down as a top 5 favorite reviews of all time! Exceptionally well done on all fronts, and for that T-shirt alone I doff my hat to you Sir. Highest regards!
A couple of pre-Corman Vincent Price vehicles worthy of special note, as they offer a glimpse of where he was headed: "Dragonwyck" (1944), in which he plays a Bluebeard-like drug addict, and "Champagne for Caesar" (1950), in which he hilariously gives over-the-top life to a corrupt soap magnate, showing off his gifts for both villainy and comedy. I like the way the Poe cycle ups its game with its heroines in "The Masque of the Red Death" and "The Tomb of Ligeia," making those films feel a little bit more modern. I agree that "Ligeia" has story problems, which makes it rank lower on the list for me despite my affection for Elizabeth Shepherd, but "Red Death" is absolutely my favorite.
Thank you so much for a truly excellent review !!! I’m in my mid 50’s and never saw any of these films when they were originally released , but they are amongst my favorite horror films of all time . Growing up in the 1970’s and 80’s (I’m from the northeastern section of the United States …… Rhode Island , home of rhe mentioned HP Lovecraft), we had “creature feature “ programming on Saturday afternoons . I grew up because of this , a fan of supernatural and gothic / period horror. And while all film making eras interest me , I have a special place in my heart for the 3rd (?) wave of gothic horror ….. the mid 1950’s to the 1970’s…… anything by AIP , Hammer , Amicus and Tigon British , and Mario Bava are absolutely my favorites . I’m an avowed Hammer fan / addict ….. all the other studios / production companies I mentioned are close to it . Seeing your most excellent review of the Corman / Poe cycle was music to my ears and yes !! Here’s hoping you’ll be able to take a wide view documentary of the entire era as a whole - all these films , studios and directors !!!!! Keep up the fantastic work !!!!
The importance of the scores by Les Baxter and Ronald Stein cannot be overstated. They add immeasurably to the effectiveness of the films and are excellent work in their own rights.
I first enjoyed these stories from book; in junior high school our teachers introduced me to these 'Poe' movies by Corman. They're still thrilling to me. Curious what you think of "Dragonwyck" with Vincent Price and Gene Tierney?
Many thanks to Dark Corners for this EXCEPTIONAL Retrospective of the Corman-Price-Poe Cycle! I believe this is the first comment added here since the passing of the Great Roger Corman this past May. I think there was something magical about the Corman-Price collaboration on these films...They had a mutual admiration of each other, as well as a mutual, inherent understanding of the "Poe feeling" that needed to be created--even in the more comedic films. Poe himself had a wicked sense of humor that often shows up in his work, so I think he'd appreciate the lighter touch to some of these films. Both Roger Corman and Vincent Price were national treasures, and--aside from Michael Reeves, the director of "Witchfinder General" (who I think was just being mean-spirited, because he wanted Donald Pleasence for the lead in his film instead of Price)--I dare you to find anyone who had a bad word to say about either of these consummate professionals! Halloween is not complete without a month-long film festival viewing all them! Thank you for an artistic, comprehensive look at this landmark cycle of legendary films!
I have been a fan of these films since watching them on TV as a kid in the 1970s. You are right that favorites are subjective. For me, House of Usher and Masque of the Red Death are the best. If only more filmmakers would appreciate what can be done in film, including horror, where less is often more in terms of budget. And of course, Price's contribution cannot be overestimated. I love your analysis. Keep up the good work.
Thank you, for your historical retrospective. I have always found your work remarkable and vastly entertaining. Especially since your work has evolved past film reviews and on into more comprehensive work, such as this. Besides being entertaining, your work has also reminded me of some films that I wanted to either re-watch or discover for the first time. It's a simple matter to find them online and subsequently download them to a flash drive in order to play them on my TV. Thanks, once again, for your well-presented uploads.
My word, this Man is excellent at documenting on the subject of Corman/Price/Poe. His standard is so professional with his narration and editing. Well done.
Excellent doc, much like the amazing Lewton doc you did before. House of Usher is my favorite of the Corman/Price/Poe series....because it feels weightier and more serious than the others. Also love the Haunted Palace! Price in top form in both!
I said some of this in your run-up to this video. When I heard the name Roger Corman my immediate thought was cheap and shlocky movies, it's been eye-opening to know more and to know better about some of his other work behind the camera and actually further than that. With Price, and this may still be true to a degree in terms of his later work, I saw him as a novelty actor. Someone who clearly has talent and presence, but people feel 'Hey it's Vincent Price' rather than 'That was an interesting character played well by Vincent Price. I hope people get what I am saying. Some actors can immerse themselves and shape themselves into the roles with, looks, accents and mannerisms. Where Vincent Price was one of those actors where directors wanted him to be recognisable as himself and his own brand. I've said this before, but the snappy humour for your short reviews is so enjoyable, the respect you give people with longer videos like this is also quite heartening.
I saw Corman interviewed about the Poe films at the BFI. A great pleasure to hear him talk about Price. I love these films. The recent restoration of Masque looks amazing on the big screen. Great video
I was first introduced to these films at my secondary and high school's lunch time film viewings. For a very small price, each school day we would watch, I think, about 20 minutes or so of a not so recent film during our lunch hour. It also fueled my love of talking back to the screen ;)
Exceptional run through of all of my favorite films. My mother introduced me to these works when i was a young girl. My favorites are the raven, pit and the pendulum, premature burial and the haunted palace. I need to see the rest of these. Thank you for covering this long loved collaboration!
It's always a thrill when we get one of these longer specials from Dark Corners. Glad that the retitling of "Witchfinder General" to "The Conqueror Worm" got a mention. And, for what it's worth that colourful masterpiece "The Masque of the Red Death" is definitely my favourite film of the cycle.
Fantastic work as always. Usher is my favourite with Pendulum and Masque not far behind. But to be honest I love all the ones with Price in as he is never less than a joy to watch.
I marathoned them with my wife a few years ago and I've been wanting to repeat it for some time. Until then they are all tied for first excepting Premature Burial and Ligeia. Brilliant special, 10/10 fricheks
Pit and the Pendulum is my personal favorite! It unites the campier aspects together with some genuinely chilling scenes, and has an amazingly tight script. The paintings in House of Usher are gorgeous, and the technicolor vibrance to all these productions really sing out.
I was introduced to the poem "The Raven" first - my older brother read it to me, plus I read the old MAD comic-book version illustrated by Bill Elder. And by that time I was reading Poe's works as he'd written them, plus graphic-novel-type adaptations. But I *think* the first time I was exposed to the Corman-Poe Cycle films at a triple-feature program at local theater. I remember loving Karloff, Lorre and Price in TR, and not giving a whit about Jack Nicholson. AND, lol, my first ex-husband had a copy of it on 8 mm! You could order prints through the mail for home viewing from monster magazines! Ah, those were the days. Thanks, Robin, for bringing back good memories to me. :)
Thank you for this superb look at a truly extraordinary series of films. My own personal favorite has always been Masque, for its elegance and poetry, and for Price's performance as Prince Prospero. Here he is unapologetically evil, and yet charismatic and seductive.
I am so pleasantly surprised to have found this channel. Watching Corman's Poe cycle was the event that sparked a lifelong love of all things Poe, Price and Corman to a lesser degree. Thank you for this wonderfully researched and produced little gem.
Well done. From the age of 8 to 13 we had a bakery up the sidewalk from a little cinema. During weekends and summers I would get free matinee tickets. I got all the Corman and Hammer typically by myself and it was a glorious time. Pit and the Pendulum was for me the most edge of the seat entertainment I may have EVER had in a movie house. It made me an instant Poe fan. Thanks!
I immediately fell in love with the Fall of the House of Usher first time I watched it. Price's performance and his 'look' are just mesmerizing. His idea to have the blonde/white hair was extremely effective.
Looking forward to this.Btw. I think the poster for "Red Death" is one of the best movie posters ever. I would love to know who made it. Also, the beatnik artist who did the portraits in "Usher" has a website. He also painted interiors of some of L.A.'s most iconic psychedellic clubs in the mid 1960's.
The amazing Masque of the Red Death poster was designed by Reynold Brown, and while great it is not even close to being his most iconic. Other posters include Attack of the 50 foot woman, Ben-hur and creature from the black lagoon.
@@DarkCornersReviews You may want to google "cafe frankenstein" part owned and decorated by (Shonberg?) The aforemention beatnik artist friend of Corman. Cafe Frankenstein was so beatnik that they actually had a stand out back that sold sandals. Obviously (bucket of blood) the beatnik thing and Corman was an important relationship.
Very well done! Thank you. I would point out that Skip Martin’s performance in Masque Of The Red Death is a superb piece of acting. In his scene convincing Patrick Magee to wear a gorilla costume he is in perfect command, worthy of a Shakespearean master. Due to his size, I’m sure he had very few opportunities worthy of his talent.
Trivia: according to Gary Gygax, the magical duel in The Raven was the inspiration for the Dungeons & Dragons spells "magic missile" and "shield".
And, frankly, it feels like D&D to watch, in a good way.
Read Victoria Prices biography of her dad, "Vincent Price: A Daughter's Biography." I liked it.
I liked it too. He was such a multi talented person. He was into a lot of things very interesting man.❤
There is an interview with her, promoting the book, on youtube. She mentions the portrait paintings, and the artist behind them, in The House of Usher, and how much her father recognized the genius of the painter.
@@deboracopeland4795 He was interested and talented indeed.
@@briansmith2163 Will look it it, thanks.
Great book, need to replace my copy
I had the rare honour of meeting Mr Price after his one-man Oscar Wilde show. He was a true gentleman.
And a heck of a cook by many accounts.
@@kirbyculp3449I have his cook books which he released on cassette tape in the 80s. I found them at a thrift store when I was younger. Listening to him was a pleasure all it's own.
By far 'The Pit and the Pendulum' is the scariest of the series, to me at least. I absolutely love how Vincent Price plays a tortured individual and goes mad at the end of the film. The costumes, the sets, the matte paintings, the props and the music all work for me on this one. 'The Raven' is fun with it's cast and macabre humor, I'd put this second on the list.
- when v.p. smiles at Barbara 💚🙏💚
This series of documentaries are so good they should be pitched to broadcast TV channels.
Too true, this man is excellent .
@@simonatterbury I'll third that...
Masque of the Red Death, The Raven, Tales of Terror and The Fall of the House of Usher, these are the 4 films of the Poe Cycle that I love most.
Best part of getting to stay up late on a Saturday night as a kid was getting to watch Vincent Price movies all night. I especially loved the awesome and hilarious duo of Price and Peter Lorre.
The Pit and the Pendulum is my favourite in Corman’s Poe series. I think I enjoy it the most because Price’s character is very sympathetic and is driven mad through the course of the film unlike Usher where you can feel the insanity leeching out of him from his first scene. Thank you so much for a wonderful retrospective on some of my favourite Vincent Price films!
My personal favorite is MASQUE OF THE RED DEATH. It's one of my Halloween pictures.
I've always enjoyed your Dark Corners specials. Your approach is insightful without being dryly analytical.
I love the Coman's Poe Cycle. This was a wonderful video, very well delivered.
Known as a B-grade schlockmeister through the 1950s, Corman suddenly comes through with this series of low-budget but very excellently done and intelligent classical horror films (including The Terror, which wasn't part of the Poe cycle but fell in between those films), the best of which, in my view, was The Masque Of The Red Death.
I love it when Dark Corners does long form content. I am not well acquainted with Corman's Poe films so this was incredibly informative. Top drawer Dark Corners!
You're in for a treat. Start with Usher. It's a fantastic series, so well done on such small budgets.
@@josephmayo3253 It sounds a treat, thank you:)
Me too!!
Watch the films, you will not be disappointed. They're of their time, but timeless as well.
Complete Corman beginner here! You've completely sold me on this series and I'm going to watch Red Death, Raven and Usher immediately.
Hopefully you check out Pit and the Pendulum as it's not only my favorite of the series but a solid film from top to bottom.
I have to say, there is something surreal about _The Haunted Palace_ having Price and Chaney and all this old-school horror vibe, while saying words like "Necronomicon", "Cthulhu", and "Yog-Sothoth"
I absolutely LOVE these films! They are so good. You can tell Crimson Peak was essentially Guillermo Del Toro's love letter to these movies.
I don't think it is my personal favorite but it Premature Burial stayed with me decades after I seen it. It was the first of Corman/Poe movies I seen. I must have been in my early teens. For years after I had a fear of such things.
I can't think of The Raven without A Comedy of Terrors even though it's not really connected except by it's cast.
Remember reading that Karloff, Lorre, Price and Rathbone were eager to do more films like it but the passing of Rathbone ended that.
Also lovely to see how good Lorre was at comedy.
Ever seen thd episode of The Jack Benny Program with Lorre as an escaped killer who gets plastic surgery to look like Jack? I'm sure it's on RUclips.
@@a.champagne6238 No but I'm definitely looking for that!!
This is brilliant. Your hard work really shows in this Corman tribute. I have vivid memories of watching these bewitching films...& being scared to death. Thank-you for this👏🙏
Robin, this one was tremendous! Vincent Price is one of my favourite actors! I love any film he is in, horror or not. Congratulations on another triumph.
I love these longer form posts. And I'd have to agree that The Raven is my favorite. Saw it as a kid, and still love it.
I love the sunglasses worn by Price in "The Tomb of Ligiea".
23:30 - Most people when rain ruins their outdoor weekend plans: "Well, shoot. Guess I'll just go the movies or the mall or maybe curl up with a book at home."
Roger Corman: "Well, shoot. Guess I'll just have to make a whole new movie to fill up my weekend."
That's Roger for you.
Masque of the Red Death is brilliant! So is The Saint Valentines Day Massacre! The Conqueror Worm is a film that just stuck with me. I saw that late one night with my Dad, he had never seen it before either. It was the first time I saw my Father react to a movie the same way that I reacted. The ending to that movie is so painful when he is screaming, "You took him away from me!" and the girl is completely breaking down, it is unnerving. My Old Man was no pushover, he was a combat vet and it took a lot to shake him up! We were not prepared for the tone of that film! My Dad was intrigued by the time period, post English Civil War, when these Witch Hunters wielded unyielding power, that was the part that shook him up. Price was not just menacing, he was dangerous! My Dad HATED those types of people! We talked about that movie for a long time, and it was kind of the first "grown up" conversation I had with my Dad. I was probably11, maybe 12. Pop liked these types of movies and took me to see many of them. He made me promise not to tell my Mom, and I never did! Corman is still one of my favorite film makers!
It is worth noting that there were more than just eight poe movies produced by American international. So there’s room for part 2 if you wanted to do that. Anyway, Masque of The Red Death is easily my favorite of these eight movies.
I totally agree, love Masque of the Red Death
I go with "The Raven" as my favorite. I like comedy horror. I like how "The Black Cat" cuts from comedy to being very dark.
"Twice Told Tales" is an anthology movie that also feels like it fits in the Poe Cycle, although it was based on stories by Nathaniel Hawthorne.
So cool to have this as a companion piece to The Criterion Channel's Poe Cycle Collection that just released. Well done!!
Looking forward to this especially after just finishing your last book the wolf the raven and the black cat. Throughout reading it I couldn't help picturing Peter Cushing as Edgar. A wonderful read, next one please. Huge thank you for all you work on this channel.
Glad you enjoyed it. There'll be another one out next year.
I'm really enjoying these Corman retrospectives! Hope you do more someday.
There is a sequence in Pit And The Pendulum which, for me, is one of the most spine-tingling yet weirdly beautiful shots in any horror film. The camera pans along side of a nearly insane Nicholas Medina (Price) as his face seems to float with complete obliviousness THROUGH cobwebs in the dark bowels of the castle while being beckoned on by the voice of his dead wife. It is only moments on screen, but moments of pure artistry in every aspect of this classic. Great Corman retrospective!
I actually own a playbill from Angel Street, Dec 10, 1941 with Vincent Price
What a fun trio… I love the classic horror feel, but mixed with bright colors and Gothic imagery
Fall of the House of Usher is the film that made me fall in love with horror 💜💙💜
Props on pronouncing "Dunwich" correctly! AIP also distributed "Curse of the Crimson Altar," (very) loosely based on "The Dreams in the Witch House."
Incorrectly. A New Englander would call it "done witch".
@@tskmaster3837 Lovecraft, a noted antiquarian and Anglophile would have used the older, British pronounciation - like how Greenwich in New York is "Grenich."
@bobbyd.1890 The characters in the story would call it Done Witch.... like how Greenwich is "green witch". We can pronounce words fine, its not our fault the English couldn't spell.
@@tskmaster3837 If Lovecraft could have foreseen his stories getting made into films, he'd have used that pronunciation to mark which of his characters were uneducated bumpkins (he was also a massive classist)
@@christopherwall2121 You mean like how he had all the people in Dunwich speak?
Which gets REALLY complicated when the educated bumpkins like Wilbur Watley starts speaking.
Great story, full of insidious contradictions.
Because there IS one Dunwich resident who speaks like the "better" people from Arkham University... he's not named though... not really a "he" either.
Also, it's not educated. You think Lovecraft was trying to say something or it's only a coincidence that its first words were clearly spoken but also its last?
Pit and the Pendulum is my favourite.
Absolutely terrified me as a kid.
But I do love The Premature Burial.
Excellent video. Price, Corman, and Poe is a fantastic trio.
It amazes me that Vincent Price managed to squeeze all his radio, movie, and TV appearances into only 82 years. It also amazes me that Poe amassed his oeuvre in only 40 years. And Roger Corman...
Another great retrospect! Complete agreement about "The Raven". It is the most fun and watching Karloff, Lorre and Price all together is a complete blast. I know that "The Comedy of Terrors" isn't part of the cycle, but I sort of count it along with them, and watching those three plus Basil Rathbone is a joy to behold. You're assessment (and ranking) of the films is spot on. Myself, I love all of Corman's Poe (and one Lovecraft) films. Hopefully, you guys will do another one of these soon.
"The Comedy of Terrors" is one of my all time favorite films....of any genre. Endlessly hilarious to me.
Definitely! Richard Matheson's script is bloody hilarious.
The comedy of terrors is one worth a mention great film 😊
To honor the late Roger Corman, I shared this on my FB page and hope some of my friends discover this excellent and enjoyable channel. This is such a well-researched and thoughtful look at these classic films.
This documentary is the best one I've ever seen on RUclips, especially the parts that featured Vincent Price in them, because Vincent Price is my favorite horror film actor, and I have been a fan of his ever since the 1970s.
I believe "The Masque of the Red Death" to be the best of the series.
I'd agree.
Many thanks. 'Usher' is a timeless masterpiece. Price's deranged Liberace is an astonishing performance.
I seem to remember watching these films on BBC2 back when i was a teenager. Enjoyed them all and although I've always greatly appreciated Vincent Price my thoughts on him only rose. The Masque of the Red Death is my personal favourite. Just something about arrogance getting its comeuppance and the sheer spectacle of it all. Thanks for a great run through.
This is why I became a patreon supporter and urge you to join too! Help these guys make more.❤
We had the Supreme pleasure to drive Victoria Price, Julie Corman, and Roger Corman around Portland, Oregon for a weekend during a horror con. Memories to last a lifetime. Lovely people!
I grew up watching these lush,colourful late night fims,loved them as a kid but now have a whole new appreciation of them.I like to recognise parts of the sets from the other films,so youll notice carpets and furniture from house of usher turns up in pit and the pendulum,also the non poe film the haunting with karloff and nicholson!
Roger Corman is Ed Wood with talent and vision.
i grew up watching these films on the late night movie in the 70's and have recently rediscovered them on the internet thank you for reviewing the series i really feel this is one of the classic horror series and should be better remembered my favourite is pit and the pendulum ! its nice to see someone who enjoys these old films like i do !
Pit and the Pendulum showed on network TV when I was like 11 years old and terrified the CRAP out of me. To this day I think it's the creepiest and most suspenseful of the Poe films.
Great retrospective, alway appraciate these longer form videos. My intro to both Corman and Price was "The Fall of the House of Usher", which was shown in my Jr. High just before Halloween (way back in the mid-1970s). Later found out that the principal was a huge movie fan (esp. of Corman) and got premission to show the film as a "special event" in "film and literature appreciation".
What a great special. Gothic horror, Vincent Price and Poe... A match made in H.
Excellent work as always! If I may add a footnote to the HOUSE OF USHER discussion, Vincent ROCKS every outfit he wears (especially the red one), even more than in others in the series.
i read "the price of fear", about vincecnt price's life and film career, and just finished "a life in film", about peter cushing, both of which have a few chapters detailing their careers in the roger corman universe. i love your film summaries and your conclusions with regards to "the best" at the end of this presentation are terrific :D
Roger Corman is a gift to entertainment ❤
Thank you Roger Corman for making these amazing adaptations of Poe's works. In many ways they were the first introductions to the works of Poe for generations of film and horror fans. Rest in peace Mr. Corman.
Not only is this one of my top 5 favorite Vincent Price films, this is probably gonna go down as a top 5 favorite reviews of all time! Exceptionally well done on all fronts, and for that T-shirt alone I doff my hat to you Sir. Highest regards!
Having recently reread/listened to many Poe works, you simply can’t envision them without Vincent Price - he embodied each hero (antihero) superbly.
A couple of pre-Corman Vincent Price vehicles worthy of special note, as they offer a glimpse of where he was headed: "Dragonwyck" (1944), in which he plays a Bluebeard-like drug addict, and "Champagne for Caesar" (1950), in which he hilariously gives over-the-top life to a corrupt soap magnate, showing off his gifts for both villainy and comedy.
I like the way the Poe cycle ups its game with its heroines in "The Masque of the Red Death" and "The Tomb of Ligeia," making those films feel a little bit more modern. I agree that "Ligeia" has story problems, which makes it rank lower on the list for me despite my affection for Elizabeth Shepherd, but "Red Death" is absolutely my favorite.
Thank you so much for a truly excellent review !!! I’m in my mid 50’s and never saw any of these films when they were originally released , but they are amongst my favorite horror films of all time .
Growing up in the 1970’s and 80’s (I’m from the northeastern section of the United States …… Rhode Island , home of rhe mentioned HP Lovecraft), we had “creature feature “ programming on Saturday afternoons . I grew up because of this , a fan of supernatural and gothic / period horror. And while all film making eras interest me , I have a special place in my heart for the 3rd (?) wave of gothic horror ….. the mid 1950’s to the 1970’s…… anything by AIP , Hammer , Amicus and Tigon British , and Mario
Bava are absolutely my favorites . I’m an avowed Hammer fan / addict ….. all the other studios / production companies I mentioned are close to it . Seeing your most excellent review of the Corman / Poe cycle was music to my ears and yes !!
Here’s hoping you’ll be able to take a wide view documentary of the entire era as a whole - all these films , studios and directors !!!!!
Keep up the fantastic work !!!!
The importance of the scores by Les Baxter and Ronald Stein cannot be overstated. They add immeasurably to the effectiveness of the films and are excellent work in their own rights.
Excellent appreciation of the Price/Poe/Corman classics 👍
Fantastic work, Mr Bailes and Mr Trelfer! Entertaining and informative. You guys really know your stuff!
I first enjoyed these stories from book; in junior high school our teachers introduced me to these 'Poe' movies by Corman. They're still thrilling to me. Curious what you think of "Dragonwyck" with Vincent Price and Gene Tierney?
Many thanks to Dark Corners for this EXCEPTIONAL Retrospective of the Corman-Price-Poe Cycle! I believe this is the first comment added here since the passing of the Great Roger Corman this past May. I think there was something magical about the Corman-Price collaboration on these films...They had a mutual admiration of each other, as well as a mutual, inherent understanding of the "Poe feeling" that needed to be created--even in the more comedic films. Poe himself had a wicked sense of humor that often shows up in his work, so I think he'd appreciate the lighter touch to some of these films. Both Roger Corman and Vincent Price were national treasures, and--aside from Michael Reeves, the director of "Witchfinder General" (who I think was just being mean-spirited, because he wanted Donald Pleasence for the lead in his film instead of Price)--I dare you to find anyone who had a bad word to say about either of these consummate professionals! Halloween is not complete without a month-long film festival viewing all them! Thank you for an artistic, comprehensive look at this landmark cycle of legendary films!
I have been a fan of these films since watching them on TV as a kid in the 1970s. You are right that favorites are subjective. For me, House of Usher and Masque of the Red Death are the best. If only more filmmakers would appreciate what can be done in film, including horror, where less is often more in terms of budget. And of course, Price's contribution cannot be overestimated. I love your analysis. Keep up the good work.
A pesar de no saber ingles y tener que utilizar subtitulos me gusta mucho tu canal no entiendo como no tienes más subcriptores sos un grande
Gracias. Intentaré agregar subtítulos en español antes de que esto se publique.
An excellent tribute. The Raven is also my favorite.
Thank you, for your historical retrospective. I have always found your work remarkable and vastly entertaining. Especially since your work has evolved past film reviews and on into more comprehensive work, such as this. Besides being entertaining, your work has also reminded me of some films that I wanted to either re-watch or discover for the first time. It's a simple matter to find them online and subsequently download them to a flash drive in order to play them on my TV. Thanks, once again, for your well-presented uploads.
My word, this Man is excellent at documenting on the subject of Corman/Price/Poe. His standard is so professional with his narration and editing. Well done.
Thank you.
Excellent doc, much like the amazing Lewton doc you did before. House of Usher is my favorite of the Corman/Price/Poe series....because it feels weightier and more serious than the others. Also love the Haunted Palace! Price in top form in both!
I said some of this in your run-up to this video. When I heard the name Roger Corman my immediate thought was cheap and shlocky movies, it's been eye-opening to know more and to know better about some of his other work behind the camera and actually further than that. With Price, and this may still be true to a degree in terms of his later work, I saw him as a novelty actor. Someone who clearly has talent and presence, but people feel 'Hey it's Vincent Price' rather than 'That was an interesting character played well by Vincent Price. I hope people get what I am saying. Some actors can immerse themselves and shape themselves into the roles with, looks, accents and mannerisms. Where Vincent Price was one of those actors where directors wanted him to be recognisable as himself and his own brand. I've said this before, but the snappy humour for your short reviews is so enjoyable, the respect you give people with longer videos like this is also quite heartening.
I saw Corman interviewed about the Poe films at the BFI. A great pleasure to hear him talk about Price. I love these films. The recent restoration of Masque looks amazing on the big screen. Great video
Does anybody else wish there was a film of his performance in the stage version of _Gaslight?_
I adore all these films and watch them regularly. They are so atmospheric and no one better that Vincent could ever depict Poe wel
Price was and is amazing. I never knew how dedicated an actor he was, just fun to watch!
Yes! I’ve have been waiting for Vincent Price deep dive episode!
Another fantastic video. The Masque Of The Red Death is my own favourite in the series. It's just visually stunning.
The thing I love most is the atmosphere of these movies. And Vincent Price was incomparable.
This channel is simply outstanding: as is most great docs, excellent blend of entertainment and education 🎉
I was first introduced to these films at my secondary and high school's lunch time film viewings. For a very small price, each school day we would watch, I think, about 20 minutes or so of a not so recent film during our lunch hour. It also fueled my love of talking back to the screen ;)
You made me shed some nostalgic tears by the end of the video. I love these movies so dearly.
Exceptional run through of all of my favorite films. My mother introduced me to these works when i was a young girl. My favorites are the raven, pit and the pendulum, premature burial and the haunted palace. I need to see the rest of these. Thank you for covering this long loved collaboration!
Rewatching this, again, Robin. This is one of your best and one of my favorites. Corman, Price, and Poe. What's not to love?
It's always a thrill when we get one of these longer specials from Dark Corners. Glad that the retitling of "Witchfinder General" to "The Conqueror Worm" got a mention. And, for what it's worth that colourful masterpiece "The Masque of the Red Death" is definitely my favourite film of the cycle.
Fantastic work as always. Usher is my favourite with Pendulum and Masque not far behind. But to be honest I love all the ones with Price in as he is never less than a joy to watch.
I marathoned them with my wife a few years ago and I've been wanting to repeat it for some time. Until then they are all tied for first excepting Premature Burial and Ligeia. Brilliant special, 10/10 fricheks
Pit and the Pendulum is my personal favorite! It unites the campier aspects together with some genuinely chilling scenes, and has an amazingly tight script. The paintings in House of Usher are gorgeous, and the technicolor vibrance to all these productions really sing out.
Brilliant video. Really enjoyed it. I'm a huge fan of Price and while I didn't really learn anything new, this was good to see. 👌👍🏻💀
I was introduced to the poem "The Raven" first - my older brother read it to me, plus I read the old MAD comic-book version illustrated by Bill Elder. And by that time I was reading Poe's works as he'd written them, plus graphic-novel-type adaptations. But I *think* the first time I was exposed to the Corman-Poe Cycle films at a triple-feature program at local theater. I remember loving Karloff, Lorre and Price in TR, and not giving a whit about Jack Nicholson. AND, lol, my first ex-husband had a copy of it on 8 mm! You could order prints through the mail for home viewing from monster magazines! Ah, those were the days. Thanks, Robin, for bringing back good memories to me. :)
Thank you for this superb look at a truly extraordinary series of films. My own personal favorite has always been Masque, for its elegance and poetry, and for Price's performance as Prince Prospero. Here he is unapologetically evil, and yet charismatic and seductive.
Thank you for this video. I have loved these films since I was a little kid. Raven, Pit and red death have all echoed down into my own work
Great stuff. I need to add more of these to my collection (currently only have 4 and they’re not necessarily my favorites).
I am so pleasantly surprised to have found this channel. Watching Corman's Poe cycle was the event that sparked a lifelong love of all things Poe, Price and Corman to a lesser degree.
Thank you for this wonderfully researched and produced little gem.
Thank you. Glad you enjoyed it
Wonderful show. I re-watch all the Corman Poe films in sequence every year around Halloween.
Well done. From the age of 8 to 13 we had a bakery up the sidewalk from a little cinema. During weekends and summers I would get free matinee tickets. I got all the Corman and Hammer typically by myself and it was a glorious time. Pit and the Pendulum was for me the most edge of the seat entertainment I may have EVER had in a movie house. It made me an instant Poe fan. Thanks!
That film is intense.
I immediately fell in love with the Fall of the House of Usher first time I watched it. Price's performance and his 'look' are just mesmerizing. His idea to have the blonde/white hair was extremely effective.
My favorites are The Pit and the Pendulum mainly for Vincent Price and Barbara Steele and The Masque of the Red Death
Looking forward to this.Btw. I think the poster for "Red Death" is one of the best movie posters ever. I would love to know who made it. Also, the beatnik artist who did the portraits in "Usher" has a website. He also painted interiors of some of L.A.'s most iconic psychedellic clubs in the mid 1960's.
The amazing Masque of the Red Death poster was designed by Reynold Brown, and while great it is not even close to being his most iconic. Other posters include Attack of the 50 foot woman, Ben-hur and creature from the black lagoon.
@@DarkCornersReviews You may want to google "cafe frankenstein" part owned and decorated by (Shonberg?) The aforemention beatnik artist friend of Corman. Cafe Frankenstein was so beatnik that they actually had a stand out back that sold sandals. Obviously (bucket of blood) the beatnik thing and Corman was an important relationship.
Also. Corman's painterly eye and appreciation of visual arts fit well with the sensibilities of art collector Vincent Price.
Really well done! After I watched this I had to watch "Masque of the Red Death", one of my Corman/Price favs! LOL.
I have always loved USHER since I saw it when it opened. ( I was 11 ) I also love Ronald Stein's score for the Haunted Palace.
Very well done! Thank you. I would point out that Skip Martin’s performance in Masque Of The Red Death is a superb piece of acting. In his scene convincing Patrick Magee to wear a gorilla costume he is in perfect command, worthy of a Shakespearean master. Due to his size, I’m sure he had very few opportunities worthy of his talent.