Price, Karloff, Rathbone, Lorre, Embody ...

The Comedy Of Terrors

(1963)

American International Pictures smartly bring together some of the greatest talent in horror cinema ever, for a comical spin on the genre. Director Jacques Tourneur (Cat People 1942 & Night Of The Demon 1957. But two of his masterworks) gets to forge together the classical talents of Vincent Price, Basil Rathbone, Peter Lorre and Boris Karloff. A positive cornucopia of horror cinemas greats. Bring them together, and invite them to over indulge in their sense of dark humour, and you get the infectious comical horror curio, The Comedy Of Terrors.

Waldo Trumbull (Vincent Price) is the partner in place of a floundering undertakers. He is married to the business owner, and elder statesman’s daughter, Amaryllis (Joyce Jameson). Boris Karloff is Amos Hinchley, the proprietor, a retired old man reliant on the care of his daughter and the business acumen of Waldo Trumbull. Business is far from thriving, however, and in order to generate income Trumbull, and his introverted underling assistant Felix Gillie (Peter Lorre) turn to less than honest means to make money.

The scurrilous undertaker Trumbull constantly recycles his one and only resplendent coffin, turning the bodies of the deceased out into an open grave once those grieving have left the ceremony. Swiftly covering up the body with soil no one is the wiser when they skulk away with the coffin to use again for the next faux service !.

Felix Gillie is kept under Trumbull’s thumb as he is an escaped convict, hiding away under his new identity under the employ of Trumbull. His abilities at breaking and entering locked premises are put to frequent use by the devious undertaker, as another of his irreverent scams is to break into properties and suffocate the elderly and frail in their sleep. The following day he returns to the scene and offers his services to bury the deceased, taken as naturally slipping away in their sleep during the night.

Things become darker and quirkier as Trumbull has to deal with his landlord John F. Black, a terrific turn by Basil Rathbone. Black seeks immediate payment of one years back rent, imposing threat of legal action to turf Trumbull out of the premises. Trumbull has to act quickly and decides to add Black to his list of night time visitations. The evening turns into a farce as the bumbling presence of Gillie alerts Black to the duos intrusion. The outcome, however, ironically delivers the same desired result for the desperate Trumbull, as Black appears to have a heart attack, brought on by the shock appearance of Gillie in his house.

As vibrant in its comic shenanigans as it is in its colourful hues The Comedy Of Terrors is an entertaining testament to the genius’s of the genre. From a time where a low budget still delivered a high quality production, and secured the very best talent to apply their trade in the cause of satisfaction over self gratification.

The final third of the movie is priceless entertainment from its stars. Boris Karloff as the doddery old undertaker, perked up by the elixir of afforded alcohol, is delirious to behold giving a church soliloquy, constantly forgetting the name of the deceased and adlibbing psalms. Basil Rathbone gives a strong performance as a typically pompous aristocrat, duly calling for a pantomime villain like rapport with the audience. Peter Lorre, certainly past his prime performances from earlier in his career, still draws sympathy toward his character as a down beaten underling, stoic in his role and an important and engaging necessity in bringing out the best in those around him. Vincent Price, of course, revels in the lead with a nonchalance that is artful in delivering a likeable villain to put a smile upon viewers faces, aware that he himself behind his on screen countenance is wryly smiling right back.

For Trumball and Gillie to keep Black in a coffin after pronouncement of death is the comical crux of the matter, as this Shakespearian quoting dandy suffers from the rare condition of catalepsy. When all natural signs of life equate to the person being dead, but in fact they are in a deep state of suspended animation. Just goes to show that you can’t keep a good man down, even when he has the obnoxious pomposity of Basil Rathbone’s character.

A fun caper wonderfully played out, and doubtlessly enjoyed by all the participants both in front of and behind the camera. The Comedy Of Terrors will tickle rather than terrorise, but is no less entertaining and once again looks incredible in High Definition, showing on the MGM HD Channel.

The Comedy Of Terrors Trailer

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pd_qsd_uc18

Movie Details IMDB

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0056943/

Corman's Classic Poe Piece ...

The Raven

(1963)

Graced with the horror greatness of Boris Karloff, Vincent Price and Peter Lorre, The Raven loosely adapts Edgar Allan Poe’s literary classic into a genial horror, to tickle rather than terrorise.

Doctor Erasmus Craven (Vincent Price) receives a visitation from a talking raven, to soon discover that it is the magically entrapped embodiment of fellow magician Dr. Adolphus Bedlo (Peter Lorre). He relays a tale of dastardly displacement at the hands of Dr. Scarabus (Boris Karloff), the self proclaimed master magician.

Erasmus Craven lives a somewhat reclusive lifestyle away from the strife of the sorcerers ordainment. His father before passing away was the master magician, and in the natural order his son Erasmus was to have succeeded him. Instead the gentle man chose a life outside of the magical order, spending time to pursue his own trivial pursuits, and live with his daughter away from the rivalries of his fellow peers. He also still grieves the loss of his wife, and yearns for her companionship. All, however, is not quite what it seems, and the appearance of the raven sets the cat amongst the birds !.

Dr. Bedlo is transformed back into human form with the assistance of Dr. Craven. He explains to him the reasoning behind his plight at the hands of Dr. Scarabus. He also tells Craven that he has seen his wife Lenore at the castle of Dr. Scarabus. Craven is troubled that his fathers great opponent Scarabus has captured and enslaved the soul and being of his deceased wife. He chooses to act upon the information, and along with his daughter Estelle, Dr. Bedlow, and Bedlo’s son Rexford ( A very young Jack Nicholson, in an early role), travels at night by horse and carriage to Dr. Scarabus’ coastal castle.

The movie entertains from light hearted start to playful finale, all with a suitably tongue in cheek aplomb, and never forgetting its horror hybrid identity. All the major stars are revelling in their roles, playfully parodying more villainous parts in their salubrious cinematic careers. Hazel Court, as Erasmus Craven’s manipulative wife Lenore, positively blooms in her salubrious deception.

Playing on the wonderful MGM HD channel, another in their fantastic showings of re-mastered high definition prints, the movie looks terrific. A beautiful original ratio full wide screen presentation. The sets are colourfully gothic under Roger Corman’s direction, and eye for frugal flair. Only the exterior shots of castle Scarabus look out of place as the cheap matte effect highlights all of its shortcomings in this near pristine print. An easily forgivable nit pick for such an enjoyable movie, given the love and attention it deserves.

Dr. Scarabus challenges Dr. Craven to a duel of magic, intent on bettering his reluctant master of the arts, to prove himself true benefactor of the order of master magician. Vincent Price revels in the role, his confident demeanour radiating forth from his intuitive countenance. Sat facing each other in the castles great hall the two do battle. Gesticulating japes and magical prowess play out, with the best man prevailing, so quotes The Raven, never more !.

The Raven Trailer

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uy3ktfRztss

Movie Details IMDB

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0057449/

Way Out West With ...

Lucky Luke

(2009)

Daisy Town is blooming … with bandits and outlaws. The townspeople hide away and the only law in town is the unscrupulous, money loving gambler known as Pat Poker (Daniel Prévost). He holds all the aces, that is until Daisy Town’s favourite son returns to shuffle up the pack. Hold onto your hats, Lucky Luke is back in town !.

Industry and commerce are flourishing in the Wild West, and the best way to bring in more trade is to open up the United States Of America to customers far and wide. The president of the United States Of America himself heads the push to build more railways throughout the land. One problematic point on the map is Daisy Town. Its reputation for lawlessness is well known, and a stumbling block for progress. The president calls upon one of America’s favourite sons to bring law and order back to Daisy Town, Lucky John Luke (Jean Dujardin).

Lucky Luke is a laid back, easy going decent guy, out to do no harm but sure to stop those that mean harm. He’s the fastest gun in the west, but he has never killed anyone. There’s never been a need to as his gun hand is so swift, his aim so sure, that no man stands a chance against him in a fight. Since his parents were both shot down dead, before his very eyes as a young boy, Luke has sworn never to take a life. With the skill and confidence he possesses, along with a very healthy slice of luck, he has never needed to. The day that he meets Pat Poker though is the day that his luck changes !.

This French film is a near perfect modern interpretation on the Lucky Luke comic book, colourful, comedic and thoroughly entertaining. Light hearted entertainment to please the masses. It’s like a Wile E. Coyote cartoon with Acme like gadgetry aplenty, all magnificently built to order rather than reliant on CGI, and all the better for it. The end showdown in the Arizona desert with a stupendous multi faceted casino, structured upon a one armed bandit, is quite brilliant. A poignant representation of the birthright of Las Vegas for sure.
Jean Dujardin makes for an amicable enough Lucky Luke, and his cowboy strut and cocksure stature is in keeping with the character. His talking horse adds to the fun, along with quirky appearances from western legends Jesse James, Calamity Jane and Billy The Kid.

Purchase the disc on Blu-ray and this movie will be a showcase shiny for viewing purposes alone. The vibrant colour and pin sharp contrast is luscious to behold.

The fun of the cowboy piece is more Meatballs than spaghetti, but its effusive qualities are impossible to ignore.

Lucky Luke Trailer

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1SPrxloqaeY&feature=related

Movie Details IMDB

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1235536/