Argh, mateys ... there are far too many films for each of us to see in a single lifetime, shiver me timbers ... but each of us should make a go of it, what say ye?
From the annals of Film History: on this day all the way back in 1963, genre legend Roger Corman himself delivered a little 'something something' under the name of The Haunted Palace to the masses-at-large.
From what I've read on IMDB.com and elsewhere, it looks like Corman wanted to take a bit of a break from adapting the works of Edgar Allan Poe directely, but he knew what the marketplace wanted ... meaning that was likely more of the same ... so he had Charles Beaumont (of The Twilight Zone fame) fashion an H.P. Lovecraft work -- "The Case Of Charles Dexter Ward," Lovecraft's only full-length novel -- into a shooting script. (Poe's name was even added to the credits in order to bolster this one's theatrical prospects, so there.) The end result was a picture titled The Haunted Palace is credited with being the very first time any Lovecraft-inspired yarn was unleased onto mankind, so its reputation is definitely warranted in certain circles where such fans gather. In fact, I believe I've read this is the first time Lovecraft's immortal Necronomicon appears in all of filmdom. That, my friends, deserves mention.
The feature production stars Vincent Price, Debra Paget, Lon Chaney Jr., Frank Maxwell, and Elisha Cook Jr. Here's the plot summary as provided by the good people at IMDB.com:
"Loosely based on an HP Lovecraft novel , this tale begins with a warlock placing a curse on a group of villagers about to burn him at the stake. Generations later, the warlock's descendant returns to the village to pick up where his ancestor left off."
From the annals of Film History: on this day all the way back in 1963, genre legend Roger Corman himself delivered a little 'something something' under the name of The Haunted Palace to the masses-at-large.
From what I've read on IMDB.com and elsewhere, it looks like Corman wanted to take a bit of a break from adapting the works of Edgar Allan Poe directely, but he knew what the marketplace wanted ... meaning that was likely more of the same ... so he had Charles Beaumont (of The Twilight Zone fame) fashion an H.P. Lovecraft work -- "The Case Of Charles Dexter Ward," Lovecraft's only full-length novel -- into a shooting script. (Poe's name was even added to the credits in order to bolster this one's theatrical prospects, so there.) The end result was a picture titled The Haunted Palace is credited with being the very first time any Lovecraft-inspired yarn was unleased onto mankind, so its reputation is definitely warranted in certain circles where such fans gather. In fact, I believe I've read this is the first time Lovecraft's immortal Necronomicon appears in all of filmdom. That, my friends, deserves mention.
The feature production stars Vincent Price, Debra Paget, Lon Chaney Jr., Frank Maxwell, and Elisha Cook Jr. Here's the plot summary as provided by the good people at IMDB.com:
"Loosely based on an HP Lovecraft novel , this tale begins with a warlock placing a curse on a group of villagers about to burn him at the stake. Generations later, the warlock's descendant returns to the village to pick up where his ancestor left off."
Alas -- as can happen from time-to-time -- I can find absolutely nothing online regarding the feature's budget and/or box office performance, so I've no way of knowing whether or not this one was commercially successful. I have skimmed a few of the reviews available via IMDB.com and beyond, and it certainly looks like this one was critically received a bit above the average flick. There are some modest complaints about pacing here and there, but -- all-in-all -- it would seem that performances and production details were well regarded (though not highly). Such indications might suggest that a good time could be had by all in viewing.
From the images above, I suspect I have seen this one ... but it's nestled far too deem down in the bowels of memory for me to know with absolute certainty. I might have to either pick this one up and/or watch for it to make the rounds on cable or the like. I appreciate the library of Vincent Price as well as many, so I'm intrigued to see what he did in the role.
From the images above, I suspect I have seen this one ... but it's nestled far too deem down in the bowels of memory for me to know with absolute certainty. I might have to either pick this one up and/or watch for it to make the rounds on cable or the like. I appreciate the library of Vincent Price as well as many, so I'm intrigued to see what he did in the role.
As always ... remember to support genre projects whenever you can folks ... thanks for reading ... and live long and prosper!
-- EZ
-- EZ
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