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Pit & the Pendulum (1961) It takes quite a high level of creativity and skills to develop a feature length film out of a short story of only 2 or 3 pages, but hats of to Richard Matheson...he always did that hell of a job fascinatingly. An eerie castle complete with torture chamber, murder, insanity, adultery, the ghastly look of premature burial, that huge swinging blade, and enduring performance by the great Vincent Price -- among the fantastic stylish & acclaimed horror films in '60s, Roger Corman's "Pit and the Pendulum" has all the elements that anyone could ask for. This is the solid proof in celluloid arena that Corman could produce suspenseful, atmospheric pictures both economically and efficiently. http://img146.imageshack.us/img146/1074/pitc.jpg Price's portrayal of Nicholas (and also, in flashback, as his father, Sebastian) is so strong and beautiful that the other actors surrounding him seem merely adequate except Barbara Steele in the role of Elizabeth, Nicholas’s dead wife, who didn't go fade in Price’s presence even with a short screen time. I’m not sure that whether these two greats ever starred together in another production or not but surely they could make an adorable on screen pair for ardent horror fans. Through a great Gothic atmosphere, the colorful cinematography and gorgeous lavish sets, Roger Corman created a macabre masterpiece from Poe's classic tale. The castle's many corridors, steel doors, chamber or even the bluish flashback sequences captures the Gothic horror of Poe's stories and gives them homage in a truly unforgettable way that no one so far have done better than him. When they flashed to the scene of Elizabeth’s half decomposed corpse, with the mouth open and hands held up as if scratching at the inside of her coffin, or the resurrection scene, where Elizabeth’s “corpse” is walking around in shadows but keeps the viewer imagine seeing her bony face, or the final dungeon sequence when the blade of the pendulum sliced Francis's shirt and last but not the least that final shot of Barbara Steele’s terror-stricken eyes...there are so many remarkable scenes & sequences in this film that I think made the movie is not only a masterpiece of low-budget film-making, a movie that looks even better than most of the big studios productions, even today. >>: A The Masque of the Red Death (1964) http://img148.imageshack.us/img148/6...ofreddeath.jpg This film features Vincent Price in one of his finest roles—as Prince Prospero. Prospero can easily ranks as his one the most sinister and wicked performance that I have seen so far besides Dr. Phibes and Edward Lionheart. The interesting thing about this film is its raising issues of faith, good and evil, the meaning of life, and humanity’s attitude toward the inevitability of death somewhat resembles Bergman’s The Seventh Seal in several ways. Much like his other film adaptation of Poe stories, Corman utilizes color to a great extent. The Red Death cloaked in bright red robes and designing the different chambers that lead to the prince’s shrine to Satan are as usually impressive like his other colorful Poe adaptation. With its vivid, saturated color canvas and its spectacular sets, this film looks like a vision conceived in madness. Some stories need to be told in a big way. More than a simple account of one man's fall from grace, this is a mythic tale, a morality play as relevant now as it would have been in medieval times. Corman has gifted it with an intensity rarely matched elsewhere in world cinema. >>: A |
More great reviews Rosh! Those are two of my all-time favourites - especially Pit and the Pendulum. The image of Elizabeth in the coffin, followed by Price's reaction - "True! True!!" - is one of the most terrifying and unforgettable moments in film.
Glad you liked 'em man - now that it seems you're getting to be a Price fan, may I recommend Dragonwyck? It's not exactly horror (though it does feature some wonderfully eerie Gothic atmosphere) but it contains what is easily one of his greatest performances. Essential viewing for any fans of Mr. Price - check it out if you can! Back on topic: Gojira (1954) I've been a Godzilla fan since I was a kid, but up until now I'd only seen the cheesy, campy later entries in the series. This was my first viewing of the original masterpiece...and what a classic it is. A dark, atmospheric commentary on mid-50's society, preying on the fear of atomic weapons to create one of the greatest monsters of all time. And of course, it goes without saying that this is a milestone of special effects...you just can't beat a man in a suit. I'll take this over CGI any day of the week. |
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It does drag a little bit in the middle - it was Joseph Mankiewicz's first feature, and that shows in places - but Price's performance alone is enough to hold the audience captive throughout, not to mention a dark and compelling plot and beautiful cinematography. Without a doubt one of my favourite films of all-time...hope you like it! :) |
Diary of a Madman (1963)
http://img132.imageshack.us/img132/7...yofamadman.jpg I have read the original story of Guy de Maupassant and that was very beautifully written and liked the story a lot. This film was very loosely based on that but still quite a nice treat indeed for the ardent fans of Price. Moreover, the stunningly beautiful Nancy Kovack looked pretty gorgeous in the movie.:cool: >>: B |
The Haunted Palace (1963)
http://img198.imageshack.us/img198/3575/vpportrait.png Very spooky! The script is certainly gripping with fantastic set designs: ground fogs, creepy castles with creaking gates and secret doorways, deformed town folks, loud thunderstorms...fantastic camera works nicely captures those nightmarish scenery and reflects the menacing suspense right onto the screen. Between the darkly macabre and an innocent naivety, Price handles his dual role brilliantly. Anne (Ward's wife) portrayed by beautiful Debra Paget and the woman played Curwen's mistress added a minimal but seductive tone in the film. >>: A- |
Strait-Jacket (1964)
When the director of Homicidal/The Tingler or House on Haunted Hill, the author of Psycho, and the co-star of Whatever happened to Baby Jane features a film then you can easily predict how much shocker this is going to be turned out. Though it's got some camp value to it but that makes it pretty enjoyable enough. Joan Crawford was horrifying when she needed to be and later on vulnerable and she did both equally believably. >>: B+ |
The Bad Seed (1956)
http://img216.imageshack.us/img216/7136/badseed.jpg Tightly focused, heavy on dialogue and taking place primarily in one interior location, The Bad Seed is an outstanding horror masterpiece of 50s. Like Robert Wise's The Haunting (1963), this is another classic example of how something implied and not shown can be just as effective and disturbing as something shown. 'Tell but don't show' attitude towards the film's violence works pretty effectively. The notable reason why this film works so well is down to a phenomenal performance by talented child actor Patricia McCormack. McCormack was brilliant in her challenging role that finds exactly the right pitch between the sweet and innocent youngster that she appear; and the dark persona that lies just beneath her look. Nonetheless her eerie facial expression is also priceless. Nancy Kelly similarly gives a defining performance as her tortured mother in a torrent of emotion. A film adaptation of a play which itself adapted from a novel, the stagy mood of Mervyn Leroy's movie made it an unique horror gem for ardent fans of the genre. >>: A- |
The Incredible Shrinking Man (1957)
Wow...brilliant movie. I've been looking forward to this one for ages, but never got aqround to it - now that I've finally watched it, it didn't disappoint. Some of the most innovative special effects I've ever seen, anchored by a powerful performance by Grant Williams and a near-perfect script by Richard Matheson really make this one of the all-time greats. And what an amazing closing monologue! Has to be one of the greatest endings in horror history (*Spoilers Below*): "I was continuing to shrink, to become... what? The infinitesimal? What was I? Still a human being? Or was I the man of the future? If there were other bursts of radiation, other clouds drifting across seas and continents, would other beings follow me into this vast new world? So close - the infinitesimal and the infinite. But suddenly, I knew they were really the two ends of the same concept. The unbelievably small and the unbelievably vast eventually meet - like the closing of a gigantic circle. I looked up, as if somehow I would grasp the heavens. The universe, worlds beyond number, God's silver tapestry spread across the night. And in that moment, I knew the answer to the riddle of the infinite. I had thought in terms of man's own limited dimension. I had presumed upon nature. That existence begins and ends in man's conception, not nature's. And I felt my body dwindling, melting, becoming nothing. My fears melted away. And in their place came acceptance. All this vast majesty of creation, it had to mean something. And then I meant something, too. Yes, smaller than the smallest, I meant something, too. To God, there is no zero. I still exist! " |
Spider Baby, or The Maddest Story Ever Told (1968)
http://img166.imageshack.us/img166/9396/spiderbabyj.jpg Screams and moans and bats and bones Teenage monsters in haunted homes The ghost on the stair A vampire's bite Better beware There's a full moon tonight! Cannibal spiders creep and crawl Boys and ghouls having a ball Frankenstein, Dracula, and even the Mummy Are sure to end up in somebody's tummy! Hah hah hah! Take a fresh rodent, some toadstools and weeds And add an old owl and the young one she breeds Mix in seven legs from an eight-legged beast And then you're all set for a cannibal feast! Sit round a fire with this cup of brew A fiend and a werewolf on each side of you This cannibal orgy is strange to behold In the maddest story ever told! ...the most fantastic title song I have ever heard at the opening credit of a horror film! At the core of its gross-out humor and monstrous morbidity, Spider Baby shows an endearing, touching affection for its family of misfits. The performances of the cast, especially Chaney Jr. Jill Banner as Virginia, and very young Sid Haig (surprised to see him! cause I didn't know he started his career so early), were undeniably excellent in their roles through out the film. Overall, an extremely macabre but no gore(!) and pretty underrated twisted horror gem that's still playing a very influential role in the hype of the modern horror films. >>: A- |
Creature from the Black Lagoon
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Taste the Blood of Dracula (1970)
A decent Hammer piece. >>: B- |
Great reviews, Roshiq. I loved reading each one of them.
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Price is his usual wonderful self, but what makes this movie such a brilliant example is the fantastic set pieces and atmosphere that the director creates by the use of some very effective lighting and effects, complimented by some really chilling background scores. Glad to see you loved it. Quote:
Yes it was a challenge back in the day to make this, and even more to portray the bad girl so effectively. The director and the actress both get a lot of kudos for bringing out a genuinely disturbing and frightening portrayal of childhood innocence gone horribly awry. One of the best slow chillers of all-time. You can literally feel the hairs on the back of your neck rise as the film progresses. Quote:
It has a dose of everything you could imagine in a genre representative, plus it had a undercurrent of social satire running through the entire flick. The cast, though largely made of unknowns back then, stands out in their wonderful characterisation (the script-writer really deserves a pat on the back for his efforts). As you mentioned, close to nobody knew who Sid Haig was back then. I honestly think Zombie's HOTC/TDR both were heavily influenced by this film. Too bad this film got overshadowed by NOTLD back then, or it would have been a genre masterpiece in its own right. As it is, it remains a huge cult classic/favorite. |
Encounters with the Unknown
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"The Son Of Dr. Jekyll" (1957)
Plot: IMDB The son of the notorious Dr. Henry Jekyll is determined to prove that his father's reputation has been unjustly deserved. He sets out to develop his father's formula in order to prove that he was a brilliant scientist rather than a murderous monster. Phantom's Review: Well made, but ultimately dull sequel to the horror classic. The acting, sets and costumes are fine but the film has no real scare scenes and moves very slowly. A disappointment. |
Truly glad that you read & liked the reviews.:)
Without HDC's precious lists, tourneys and time to time recommendations I think I couldn't been ever able to know about and encouraged to see these masterpieces. So above all, I'm grateful to HDC. Quote:
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House of Wax (1953 for sure)- makes me feel scared really, however the presence of Paris Hilton in new version also makes it true horror movie :p
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bbc 1960's sherlock holmes series starring peter cushing
a study in scarlet the boscome valley mystery |
Dracula and The Raven. I've been on a real Lugosi tear lately. I almost like his pairing with Karloff in the Raven better than in The Black Cat. I love how Karloff seemingly played his roles in the Raven and Son of Frankenstein a little toned down to let Bela take center stage. Or at least that's what I like to think happened. I find it sad that we have no real Iconic actors in this day and age like Rathbone, Price and the aforementioned Lugosi and Karloff. Just pretty young things looking to bulk up their resumes on the way to a romantic comedy.
In any case, I find Browning's Dracula to be an odd film as it is so often silent and so uncomfortably stagy. Bela is pure magnetism and along with Dwight Frye make the movie entertaining and powerful. The Raven is becoming one of my new favorites from this era. Karloff is so sad and pitiable. It's a great, understated performance. Bela rules as usual in a very menacing role. Death is his Talisman! |
bbc 1960's sherlock holmes series starring peter cushing
the sign of four the blue carbuncle |
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Dracula was my first horror movie for me that's classic:rolleyes:
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The Mummy (1932)
http://img198.imageshack.us/img198/3...mmykarloff.jpg The most intriguing Mummy film ever made. This classic possesses a dark- romantic, dreamlike quality that lingers in mind long after the film is over. Less a typical horror film than a Gothic romance with a remarkable Egyptian setting considering at the time the movie made. The versatile talented horror icon Boris Karloff undoubtedly portrayed the best Mummy on the screen. Dry-looking make-up, a blank deadly stare, and that masterful-morbid voiceover at the flashback sequences stimulates the imagination and giving this classic version a depth and eternal feelings that cannot be matched by those more recent adaptations that rely heavily on "special" effects and contrived "action" sequences. >>: A- |
at midnight i will take your soul
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This Night I Will Possess Your Corpse
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Black Sunday / La Maschera del Demonio (1960)
Mario Bava...one of the classiest, coolest and most stylish directors ever to bless the horror genre. This has the be one of his absolute best: Barbara Steele in her most iconic role in a moody, bloody and all-around spooky vampiric period piece. Loved every second of it. |
Witchfinder General (1968)
http://img406.imageshack.us/img406/5...hburningre.jpg I'm not sure whether this sorts of barbarism still exits or not but many years back I read several reports in our local newspapers regarding this type of "practices" at some very rural parts of our country. Some 'Huzur' (so called literate teacher of Islamic studies & knowledge) used to torture women & children in the villages who had been possessed by Saytan (Devil) or brought a shame into their community by acting in a non-Islamic manner and so they first dig a hole or kinda small grave in the ground and put woman or young girls into it and ordered the people surround them to throw stones on them till to their death (locally known as "Dorra")...! Mathew Hopkins reminded me of those Huzurs and such a way this film has a strong universal & historic value that represents one of the dark sides of our civilization. Price portrayed brilliantly and as accurately as possible the role of the Withcfinder which was sinisterly cold & evil and definitely one of his best. >>: A |
Dracula (1931)
Dracula's Daughter Son Of Dracula A night of Universal Classics |
Son of Dracula is way too overlooked...one of the best Universal sequels in my opinion, but you never really hear much about it. Chaney Jr. does a great job, the effects are spectacular, and it actually has a worthwhile story to tell (which, sadly, cannot be said of all Universal sequels...). Really too bad it doesn't get more attention.
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The last horror classic I saw was last night, Mario Bava's BLACK SABBATH, hosted and narrated by Boris Karloff, who has a nice little role in one of the film's short stories, where he plays a vampire called a "Wurdulak." The scariest of the short stories was "A Drop Of Water", about a dead witch, a ring, and a nice lesson about not taking what isn't yours. Anyone who has seen that one know's that witch's face is still one of the freakiest images in horror history. |
Attack of the Giant Leeches (1959)
>>: C+ |
"The Canterville Ghost" (1944)
-Charles Laughton, Robert Young Plot: IMDB In the 1600s, cowardly Sir Simon of Canterville flees a duel and seeks solace in the family castle. His ashamed father seals him in the room where he is hiding and dooms him to life as a ghost until one of his descendants performs a brave deed. Simon believes he may be saved when he meets Cuffy Williams, an American kinsman stationed with a troop of soldiers at the castle in 1943. Will this blood relative save the family honor, or will his blood be as yellow as the rest of the Cantervilles? Phantom's Review: Very entertaining and silly Haunted Castle story. Well acted with a great cast. As they used to say...fun for the whole family. |
The Screaming Skull (1958)
Way better than IMDB ratings & modern day usual horror craps. At least there were some decent efforts to create a reasonable haunting atmosphere & few scares for its best. >>: C+ |
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