Friday 28 January 2011

Vincentennial: Coming Soon!

Just discovered this fantastic promo from Cinema St Louis for Vincent's 100th birthday celebrations in his home town of St Louis, Missouri.

Scheduled for May 20-27, 2011, at multiple venues (Washington University, Missouri History Museum, Hi-Pointe Theatre, Sheldon Concert Hall and Art Galleries), the Vincentennial will include the following:

1. Screenings of Price’s major films - from Service De Luxe to Theatre of Blood, and Tim Burton’s short Vincent (subject to availability).

2. Participation by filmmakers/actors, critics, and academics, who will conduct interviews, introduce and discuss films, and present lectures and special events. Invitees will include Victoria Price, his daughter and biographer.

3. Exhibit of Price-related artifacts, artwork, and memorabilia at the Sheldon Concert Hall and Art Galleries.

As more info comes to hand, I'll keep you posted. In the meantime, check out the Vincentennial Facebook page and also Victoria Price's website dedicated to her father's legacy.

Friday 21 January 2011

Thursday 13 January 2011

A Tour of Dali's House... in Dali's Car

Being a big art fan himself, Vincent would appreciate this video I've just done on my recent visit to the Casa-Museo Salvador Dali in Port Lligat, Catalonia.

La actual Casa-museo de Portlligat fue la única casa estable de Salvador Dalí; el lugar donde vivió y trabajó habitualmente hasta que, en 1982, con la muerte de Gala, fijó su residencia en el Castillo de Púbol.

Sunday 9 January 2011

Catch Spine Tingler! The William Castle Story tonight on Sky Arts 1

Throughout the 1950's and 60's, William Castle produced and directed a series of horror films marked by their outrageous audience participation gimmicks. Castle treated moviegoers to buzzing seats, flying skeletons, luminescent ghosts and life insurance policies — and they loved every minute of it.

Spine Tingler! The William Castle Story is a documentary about the last great American showman. It is a rags to riches tale of a legend of exploitation and master of self-promotion, yet a man privately plagued by a fear of failure and a desperate desire to be respected among his peers.

Starting as a contract director for Columbia Pictures' notorious Harry Cohn, Castle would solidify his place as a brand name in horror in 1958 with Macabre. After mortgaging his house to make the film and haunted by the thought of audience indifference, Castle developed a surefire publicity stunt to attract a crowd.
Every patron would be insured by Lloyd's of London in case of "death by fright." Although nobody collected, audiences flocked to the theaters and Castle knew he had something he could take to the bank.

William Castle became a household name - an immensely popular master of ceremonies, with fan clubs and hoards of adoring fans at each town he visited. But despite his success, Castle craved the respect and accolades given to contemporaries like Alfred Hitchcock.He strived his whole career for a property that would prove his merit as an artist, which would finally come with his production of Rosemary's Baby.

Spine Tingler! traces how an obscure director for hire reinvented himself as a pop-culture icon. From his first job as Bela Lugosi's assistant to butting heads with Robert Evans, this jaw-dropping tale is told through revealing interviews with daughter Terry Castle, John Waters, Joe Dante, Leonard Maltin, Roger Corman, John Badham, Diane Baker, Marcel Marceau, and many more. Plus, there's a chance to catch the incomparable Vincent Price in clips from House on Haunted Hill and The Tingler.

Catch it tonight on Sky Arts 1 (Sky 243/HD 244; Virgin 284) at 4.35am and on Monday (10 January) at 3.30pm


Vinnie sings his heart out in Basil, The Great Mouse Detective

Catch it tonight on Cinemagic HD (Sk 631) at 7pm

Look out Sherlock Holmes! Super sleuth Basil of Baker Street is hot on the trail of arch rival Professor Ratigan (Vincent Price) in this delightful Disney classic. Basil embarks on the greatest case of his career when London's master toymaker is kidnapped - and ends up pitting his wits against his old adversary, who wants to become "supreme ruler of all mousedom". Purr-fect!

Now, let's all sing along with Vincent...