The Corman Poe Cycle

 I've been thinking about the Roger Corman Poe cycle a lot lately after hosting the double-feature this past weekend. Corman produced and directed this series of films between 1960-1964. All were based on Poe works and all but one of them starred the great Vincent Price.

 
There are eight official films in the Poe cycle, although I personally like to include The Terror in the cycle too. It isn't officially based on a Poe work, but it looks and feels just like one of those films. It was made in 1963 and was produced and directed by Corman (with other directors shooting additional footage after-the-fact to complete the film). It was also mostly shot on the sets of The Raven. Corman famously wanted to take advantage of the still-standing sets before they were torn down, and hired Boris Karloff and Jack Nicholson for a two-day shoot. If they had included a couple of lines from some work of Poe's at the beginning or end of the film, it would have fit as easily as something like The Haunted Palace, which bears no other Poe ties than a quick quote.

The official films in the Poe cycle are: House of Usher (1960), The Pit and the Pendulum (1961), The Premature Burial (1962), Tales of Terror (1962), The Raven (1963), The Haunted Palace (1963), The Masque of the Red Death (1964), The Tomb of Ligeia (1964). 

 They raised his reputation in the minds of critics and fans alike,
and are arguable his signature work.

These films were a real game changer for Corman. Prior to this, he had been known primarily as a producer/director who made films fast and cheap. The Poe films, made on a bigger budget, with better scripts and name actors, proved he was capable of more than just exploitation quickies. And they were wildly successful. They raised his reputation in the minds of critics and fans alike, and are arguable his signature work. They raised his stature to that of an auteur - like Bergman, Fellini, or Hitchcock. These films are instantly recognizable as Corman films - they don't look and feel like any other director's work. And they've stood the test of time - they're just as captivating and haunting today as when they originally came out. 

 

Roger Corman Double-Feature intro

Yesterday, I had the pleasure of introducing a Roger Corman double-feature at the historic Belcourt Theater in Nashville, TN. The screening took place at noon and featured two of Corman’s Poe adaptations—The Pit and the Pendulum and Masque of the Red Death. Many consider these to be the best of the series, but of course that's a matter of personal taste.

I recorded my introduction and shared it on YouTube, so I thought I’d post it here as well. The audience was fantastic, and it was truly heartwarming to see a modern crowd applauding films that have been around for over 60 years. Even better, a group of high school students attended, and one of them said afterward that The Pit and the Pendulum was the best horror movie he’d ever seen. How great is that?

A heartfelt thank you to the Belcourt for inviting me—it’s always an honor to be part of these screenings!

Edgar Allan Poe-down Day #10

 Dr. Gangrene's Halloween countdown continues with a look at the 1991 version of The Pit and the Pendulum from director Stuart Gordon.

Edgar Allan Poe-down Day #9

 Dr. Gangrene continues the Halloween countdown with a look at the Roger Corman classic, The Pit and the Pendulum.

The Pit and the Pendulum

Episode #46 of the Fantastic Films of Vincent Price is now live and online.

In this episode a man named Francis Bernard (John Kerr) visits a distant seaside castle to investigate the death of his sister, Elizabeth, played by Barbara Steele. Price plays her husband Nicholas Medina, who is living in the castle with his sister Catherine (Luana Anders). How did Elizabeth die, why are the details surrounding her death so hazy, and just what is the secret of the torture chamber in the basement of the castle? An excellent film with a fantastic performance from Price as he descends into madness, this is a must-see for Price fans.


About this series: Dr. Gangrene, Physician of Fright and Award-winning Nashville-based TV Horror Host explores the films of the merchant of menace, Vincent Price, in chronological order from first to last, approaching them from a scholarly perspective, offering commentary, review and criticism.

Top Ten Vincent Price Films Countdown!

I finally completed my Vincent Price Top Ten films countdown - I had hoped to do this waaay before now, but kept getting distracted or busy with one thing or another. Anyway, here it is - All eleven Videos all in one - from Honorable Mentions to the number One film.

As I mention below, this was a difficult decision to make - there are so many great Vincent Price performances and films it was tough to narrow it down. Leave me a comment and let me know what you think of this list and if your favorite film is on here.

So without further adieu, our list:

Honorable Mentions - Vincent,
An Evening with Edgar Allen Poe:

#10 - The Last Man on Earth

#9 -  The Comedy of Terrors 

#8 - Masque of the Red Death 

#7 -  The Pit and The Pendulum 

 

# 6 - The House on Haunted Hill 

#5 -  The Abominable Dr. Phibes/Dr. Phibes Rises Again 

#4 - The Tingler  

#3 - Theatre of Blood

#2 - Witchfinder General 

#1 - House of Wax

Top Ten Vincent Price Films countdown - #7

We continue the Halloween countdown of the TOP TEN VINCENT PRICE FILMS - This week's entry is the #7 film in our countdown, the Roger Corman movie "The Pit and The Pendulum"