Madhouse (1974)

Featuring: Vincent Price, Peter Cushing. Director: Jim Clark.

The final Vincent Price film I watched this year was Madhouse. Coincidentally enough, it stars Price as a b-movie horror actor trying to make a big comeback. Where oh where did they ever come up with that premise? Anyhow, people around Mr. Price start dying the same way that people died in the "Dr. Death" movies his character starred in.

I loved the premise and thought they could have done some wonderful things with it, but the movie left me a little disappointed. If you want to see Price as an actor killing off people you should probably check out Theatre of Blood, which was filmed the year before. While it didn't live up to my expectations, there are a few creepy moments that you don't want to miss if you're a Vincent Price aficionado. The ending was particularly satisfying and so is the trailer. As you all know, I love 70's b-movie trailers more than Robert Rodriguez.

Click here to add this movie to your Netflix queue.

According to Netflix this movie will stop streaming on 5/1/13. Of course, sometimes they lie.

The Standard 5:

Why is it in your queue? Can't have a Vincent Price marathon without a bunch of Vincent Price movies in your queue.

Is it artsy? Nope.

What stood out the most to you? The creepy spider lady, you'll know what I'm talking about.

What mood should I be in to watch this movie? Macabre.

What rating did you give it on Netflix? 3 Stars. 

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The Tomb of Ligeia (1964)

Featuring: Vincent Price, Elizabeth Shepard. Director: Roger Corman.

The third movie in my Vincent marathon is yet another Poe inspired collaboration between Price and Corman. The story is centered around a love triangle between Price's character, his second wife (sort of) and his dead wife. Yes this movie has it all. Creepy atmosphere, beautiful locations and possible necrophilia.

This one is more subtle and has slower pacing the most of Corman's films which tend to be a little more tongue-in-cheek. The deliberate pace lends to the ominous feel of the film but also makes it a little slow at time. I have to admit, there were times early on when I was focusing more on Elizabeth Shepard's rack than the story. However, the story eventually builds and the ending drew me in more. This wasn't my favorite Price film, but I enjoyed it nonetheless.

Click here to add this movie to your Netflix queue.

According to Netflix this movie will stop streaming on 5/1/13. Of course, sometimes they lie.

The Standard 5:

Why is it in your queue? Vincent Price makes my panties moist.

Is it artsy? For a Vincent Price film? Sort of, but not really at all.

What stood out the most to you? How upset PETA must be about the end of this movie.

What mood should I be in to watch this movie? A quiet mood with the patience to let the story build.

What rating did you give it on Netflix? 3 Stars. 

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Tales of Terror (1962)

Featuring: Vincent Price, Peter Lorre, Basil Rathbone. Director: Roger Corman.

The second film in this year's Vincent Price marathon is a collection of three stories based on the work of Edgar Allan Poe. Tales of Terror teams up the original king of b-movie horror Vincent Price, with a few of my favorites from the genre: Peter Lorre, Basil Rathbone, and director Roger Corman. In my eyes, there was really no way I could go wrong with this choice.

This one was even a little better than I was expecting. While it's not as great as other Price classics such as the The Fly, House on Haunted Hill or The Last Man on Earth, it is definitely the most enjoyable of the Edgar Allan Poe based movies he is so well known for. While Price was wonderful as always, Basil Rathbone and particularly Peter Lorre in the second story really stood out. If you like Vincent Price and his brand of horror this is definitely one you need to check out.

To add this movie to your Netflix queue click here.

According to Netflix this movie will stop streaming on 5/1/13. Of course, sometimes they lie.

The Standard 5:

Why is it in your queue? You really can't go wrong with Peter Lorre and Vincent Price on the screen together, they're an incredible duo.

Is it artsy? No, it's Vincent Price and company in all of their b-movie glory.

What stood out the most to you? Peter Lorre really stole the show in the second story.

What mood should I be in to watch this movie? Ready to watch some well done classic Edgar Allan Poe inspired tales..

What rating did you give it on Netflix? 4 Stars. 

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The Bat (1959)

Featuring: Vincent Price, Agnes Moorehead. Director: Crane Wilbur.

Well, the time has come for my annual Vincent Price marathon. Nothing gets me in the Halloween spirit more than the man with the creepiest voice in history. First up was the murder mystery, The Bat. One million dollars has turned up missing and there is a murderer on the prowl looking for the stolen loot.

If it wasn't for the killer dressing up like a bat (who ironically has a costume that reminds me more of Catwoman), this would be your standard whodunit murder mystery. And that's not a bad thing, I love old school mysteries like this and with Vincent Price in the lead you can't really go wrong. I enjoyed this one, there were just enough twists and turns to keep it from getting boring. If you like murder mysteries and/or Vincent Price, then give this one a try.

Click here to add this movie to your Netflix queue.

According to Netflix this movie will stop streaming on 3/15/13. Of course, sometimes they lie.

The Standard 5:

Why is it in your queue? All available Vincent Price movies are in my queue.

Is it artsy? No, classic mystery.

What stood out the most to you? Vincent Price and a couple of the twists (which I won't mention).

What mood should I be in to watch this movie? Looking to solve a mystery. I figured it out before the movie explained it, but I still enjoyed the ride.

What rating did you give it on Netflix? 3 Stars. 

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The Fly (1958)

Featuring: Vincent Price. Director: Kurt Neumann.

Once it was human -- even as you and I! The Fly!

I just saw that when I was looking at the cover. You just don't get phrases like that on the posters for the sci-fi movies of today. They're all sophisticated and s***. The way this movie looks, feels, and plays isn't at all sophisticated - but the story is. The Fly was a magnificent sci-fi tale for it's time. Showing that gross puppets or CGI aren't necessary to spin a good yarn. And, this is a good story, hell it's the second version of the movie I've reviewed in as many weeks (click here to read the review for the 1986 version of The Fly) so it must be a good story. I will admit though, I enjoyed the Jeff Goldblum version a little more, it was just scarier.

This movie is also special because it marks the final day of our week long Vincent Price marathon. Although he is only a co-star in this movie he again knocks his role out of the park. Damn I love that guy (no homo). Definitely check this flick out because it'll be a while yet before we get any more Vincent Price around here.

Click here to add this movie to your Netflix queue.

The Standard 5:

Why is it in your queue? Classic sci-fi tale, Vincent Price, awesome tag-line!

Is it artsy? No, although it does have some deeper undertones.

Best thing about the movie? The fly mask.

What mood should I be in to watch this movie? In a mood for a classic treat.

What rating did you give it on Netflix? 3 stars.  

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Theatre of Blood (1973)

Featuring: Vincent Price. Director: Douglas Hickox.

In day four of our five day Vincent Price marathon the master of b-horror gives us Theater of Blood. In this film Vincent Price plays a Shakespearean actor who flips his lid and starts killing all of the critics who snubbed him for a prestigious award. Every artists dream right?

All of the murders are based on murders from Shakespeare's plays and the way he pulls them all off is very creative. This is the bloodiest Vincent Price movie I've seen to date and despite having watched a ton of horror movies in my days I saw some creative, oddball kills in this movie that not even the people that did the Final Destination movies could ever come up with. If you like murder/horror movies check this one out. It's very... interesting.

Mwahahahahahaha (in my awful Vincent Price Voice).

Click here to add this movie to your Netflix queue.

The Standard 5:

Why is it in your queue? We've been over this in the last few posts, Vincent Price is dreamy.

Is it artsy? Nope, but it's about an artist's revenge.

Best thing about the movie? Creative killings and wild fencing.

What mood should I be in to watch this movie? In a mood to get stabby.

What rating did you give it on Netflix? 3 stars. 

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The Masque of the Red Death (1964)

Featuring: Vincent Price, Hazel Court. Director: Roger Corman.

Welcome to day three of the Vincent Price marathon. Today's film is Masque of the Red Death and is my favorite so far. Vincent Price plays a real sadistic bastard in this one and the story is probably the creepiest out of the 3 of I've seen to this point. Price teams up with director Roger Corman yet again to tell the story of an evil worshiper of Satan who just happens to rule over a 12th century kingdom and takes great pleasure in making his subjects do all sorts of embarrassing and evil things for his own entertainment.

The movie is based on a couple of Edgar Allan Poe stories and has very interesting religious undertones and a lot more interesting philosophical subject matter than you'd expect from a b-movie like this. I really recommend this movie if you have any interest in seeing Vincent Price at his maddening best.

Click here to add this movie to your Netflix queue.

The Standard 5:

Why is it in your queue? The description sounded like Vincent Price at his best.

Is it artsy? No, but the colors used and the sets are beautiful.

Best thing about the movie? Prospero (Price) at his sadistic, cruel and creepy best.

What mood should I be in to watch this movie? In the mood to watch a great classic horror movie.

What rating did you give it on Netflix? 4 stars. 

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The Raven (1963)

Featuring: Vincent Price, Boris Karloff, Peter Lorre, Jack Nicholson. Director: Roger Corman.

Today in the second part of my Vincent Price review marathon we have The Raven starring the trio of Price, Karloff and Lorre once again and surprisingly featuring a very young Jack Nicholson. When I watched the movie I didn't even realize it was Nicholson, that's how young he was. I thought the movie had all the markings of a good Vincent Price movie, but I was wrong. It was loosely based on Edgar Allan Poe's The Raven and when I say loosely, I mean really loosely. The only connection there really was is that there was a Raven in the movie. I can't really recommend this movie to anyone unless you're really a Vincent Price aficionado or want to see what Jack Nicholson looked like when he was 15. There is a wealth of Vincent Price movies on Netflix, start elsewhere.

Click here to add this movie to your Netflix queue.

The Standard 5:

Why is it in your queue? Because Vincent Price is awesome.

Is it artsy? Nope.

Best thing about the movie? The extremely cheesy sorcerers battle at the end of the movie.

What mood should I be in to watch this movie? In a mood to watch a really silly b-movie.

What rating did you give it on Netflix? 2 stars. 

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The Comedy of Terrors (1964)

Featuring: Vincent Price, Peter Lorre, Boris Karloff, Basil Rathbone.  Director: Jacques Tourneur.

Over the Halloween weekend I went on a bit of a Vincent Price binge. So if you aren't a Vincent Price fan (and really who isn't?) you may want to stay away from here for a week or so. In The Comedy of Terrors, everyone's favorite b-horror movie star runs a funeral home and when business gets slow decides to start making sure more people are dying in his town.

This was a pretty funny horror comedy and the cast is wonderful. Peter Lorre, Boris Karloff and Basil Rathbone are all wonderful and the comedic, creepy chemistry between Lorre and Price is worth the price of admission alone. If you haven't had enough of Halloween yet, give this one a look.

Click to add this movie to your Netflix queue. 

The Standard 5:

Why is it in your queue? Because Vincent Price is awesome.

Is it artsy? No, its Vincent Pricey.

Best thing about the movie? The chemistry between Price and Lorre.

What mood should I be in to watch this movie? In a silly mood.

What rating did you give it on Netflix? 3 stars. 

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