THE HAUNTED PALACE
A great bet for Price fans
You know, the worst movie I ever saw with Vincent Price in it was still pretty good. The man just delivers.
Directed by Roger Corman and written by Charles Beaumont, it's based on a story by Poe (hell if I know which one) and a story by Lovecraft (presumably, "The Case Of Charles Dexter Ward", since Price plays Charles Dexter Ward) (see, I can put two and two together, even if I can't multiply them).
Sometime in the 18th century, a heretic named Kerwin (Price, deliciously spewing hellfire) is burned at the stake for his hereticness in the town of Arkham. Hey, that's what people did back then. But just before they toss the torches on the kindling, in a marvelous speech he tells them all that he'll be back and they'll rue the day...man, I love that speech. Just over a century later, the Ward couple moves into town, and that man looks suspiciously like Kerwin. They've inherited the old guy's palace, and as you might imagine, they get a rather icy reception from the townspeople, some of whom have had the ill fortune of numerous genetic mutations (like one poor bastard without a mouth - how has this guy survived as long as he has?). How long until Ward starts acting like Kerwin? Not long.
Price is terrific, as always, and the supporting cast all dutifully carries out their task. Debra Paget shines as Ward's wife, and comes from the Grace Kelley school of being so outrageously beautiful, you almost expect her to sprout angel wings and fly away. Go figure, she married a Chinese millionaire and retired after this one.
The mood and look of the film are both great. The story is predictable enough, but helped by the conviction of the performers, particularly the killer ending. Definitely recommended.
Also known as The Haunted Village.