The Haunted Palace (1963)

Well Deserved Praise

Self-important, over-dramatic, uninspired.

Lack of good storyline.

disgusting, overrated, pointless

You might be forgiven for thinking this is another Corman/Poe film, but the funny thing is that it's not. The film is instead based on a story by the master of weird monsters, H. P. Lovecraft, called THE CASE OF CHARLES DEXTER WARD. The film is a cracking one too, if you've seen any of the other Poe films that Corman churned out then you'll know what to expect. Ruined and crumbling mansions, cobwebs and spiders, fog-enshrouded graveyards and characters who are unable to tear themselves away from the past, and so remain trapped there forever.Vincent Price stars, as per usual, and gets to grips with not just one personality but two in this film. Yep, there's one body and two personalities struggling to gain dominance over the other. This leads to plenty of mental battles for supremacy between the two, giving Price ample opportunity to be pleasant and friendly and sinister and evil too. It's a great role and Price gives it his best, although he is more subdued here than in his other films, more the victim than the perpetrator. Debra Paget appears in her last film before retirement and is a good damsel in distress. And lo and behold, lurking around in the shadows is none other than Lon Chaney Jr. playing the loyal manservant. Chaney has only a small role with little dialogue but his presence is felt in the nostalgic horror fan's heart.I'm probably biased in liking this film, because I love Lovecraft's stories. Although the film is only loosely based on its sources there are still things cropping up familiar to Lovecraft fans, such as the Necronomicon and also a slimy monster living in a pit. When this monster appears at the end of the film the camera is distorted so that we don't see it clearly, this was probably to hide the budget but it just makes things eerier. The mutants too are scarily effective, especially when they appear out of the mist like ghosts to encircle our heroes. Corman relishes the opportunity to burn down his setting once again, and also includes a twist ending which suggests that the survivors might not live happily ever after. And it's been a while since I've seen any torch-wielding villagers running about and burning things down. On top of all this, there are also a few references to other films like THE PICTURE OF DORIAN GRAY and CITY OF THE DEAD. THE HAUNTED PALACE is an enjoyable and brooding horror with the cast and director on top form, and so makes for rewarding viewing.

Vincent Price, Debra Paget, Frank Maxwell and Lon Chaney Jr. star in Roger Corman's 1963 horror film adaptation of H.P. Lovecraft's short story, "The Case of Charles Dexter Ward." This begins in 1765 in New England town, Arkham where we meet wealthy man, Joseph Curwen (Price) who gets confronted by the townsfolk for being a warlock. He places a curse on the people and town before they burn him alive. 110 years later, we meet Curwen's great grandson, Charles Dexter Ward (Also played by Price) and his wife, Ann (Paget) who come to Arkham where they inherit Curwen's palace which makes some of the townsfolk suspicious. Soon, Charles' behavior changes and Ann is concerned. She seeks help from doctor, Marinus Willet (Maxwell) and they learn that Charles may be possessed by Curwen's spirit. Chaney Jr. (The Wolf Man) plays Simon Orne, the caretaker of the Curwen palace. Price was great in this usual and Chaney Jr. was also great and creepy. I recommend this good horror flick.

The Haunted Palace is directed by Roger Corman and adapted to screenplay by Charles Beaumont from H.P. Lovecraft's story, The Case of Charles Dexter. It stars Vincent Price, Debra Paget, Lon Chaney Jr., Frank Maxwell, Milton Parsons, Leo Gordon and Elisha Cook Jr. A Panavision/Pathe Color production, music is by Ronald Stein and cinematography by Floyd Crosby. 1765, Arkham, and Joseph Curwen (Price) is accused of being a Warlock and about to be burnt alive at a tree outside his palatial mansion. Before being set alight he vows vengeance on the town by way of a curse. 100 years later and Charles Dexter Ward (Price) arrives in Arkham with his wife Anne (Paget) after inheriting the Curwen Palace from his great great grandfather, Joseph Curwen...Bsed on Lovecraft's novella with the title taken from a Edgar Allen Poe poem, this is unmistakably a Corman/Price Gothic. From the eerie spider on a web opening, accompanied by Stein's brooding score, we are in no doubt about what lays ahead. The tale is a simple one, Arkham is cursed, which in this case means many of its inhabitants have been born with deformities. The Curwen/Ward home houses secrets and the spirit of the long dead Curwen wants back in on the action by way of possessing gentleman Charlie. Cue vengeance and a good old battle between good and evil.It's how it is dressed up that matters most, we of course know roughly how these narratives work, but you hope for visual splendours and some striking scenes. Thankfully we get both here. The production team are on excellent form, it's a condensed production and there is no doubt that is the case, we know these are sets, but Daniel Haller's design is gorgeous. From the matte drops to the Gothic textures of the street and the Curwen home, it's all so suitably period and rich in atmospheric detail. Corman of course then brings in the mist while Crosby mutes certain colours to accentuate the mood around the town and in the Curwen abode.Though the picture is primarily concerned with psychological beats rather than anything boo jump or shocking, there are some moments of genuine horror as Curwen (in Charlie's body) goes about enacting his revenge. Yet Corman has this glorious knack of keeping things poetic even as the gloom and despondency pervades the narrative. It helps, too, that Price is on immeasurable form, turning in yet another sinister villain performance whilst deftly balancing it with the gentleman aspects of poor Charlie. Lon Chaney compliments Price's turn, as does Paget (what a beautiful bone structured face), even if neither of them are asked to stretch themselves. While it's always nice to see Elisha Cook in the sort of role Hammer would give to Michael Ripper.It's not perfect by any stretch of the imagination, The Necronomicon angle isn't utilised to potential, the secret creature of the pit proves to be a big disappointment and some of the green faced make-up (used to differentiate between good and bad characters) gets ridiculous, but still the film rises above these problems. It's a cracking Gothic horror that deserves to be better known, a must see for those who have enjoyed the films from the Poe/Corman/Price cycle. 8/10

Extremely atmospheric Gothic Horror movie strings together all the cliché ingredients - a warlock put to death who promises a torturous revenge, an ominous castle, creepy graveyards, fog and shadows galore - and a nice hammy performance by Vincent Price as the cursed warlock and his grandson. The only two complaints I have are the almost criminal underuse of Cathy Merchant as Hester. Conveying an evil presence without ever uttering a word - she reminds one of horror icon Helga Line with her malevolently drastic icy facial expressions. And although her character is very important to the story she receives very little screen time. Also, I found the end to be a little rushed and weak. But overall, this is a really good Gothic horror picture. If you like the Hammer movies, you should really enjoy this one.