Following the history-making announcement this week of the
exhumation of Richard III by the University of Leicester, I thought it timely to
recall Vincent Price’s two cinematic roles as the last king of the Plantagenets, who was killed in the Battle of Bosworth Field on 22 August 1485.
In 1962’s Tower of London, which was inspired by Shakespeare’s classic play and the 1939 period romp starring Basil Rathbone as the
evil-minded Richard, Price brought an air of macabre malevolence to Roger
Corman’s B-movie. Though stagey, with costumes and sets that look right out of
panto, the film is still fun to watch – mainly for Price chewing the scenery, especially his hysterical death scene.
In 1973’s Theatre of Blood, Price played much-maligned Shakespearean actor Edward Lionheart, who was out for revenge against the
critics who issued poisonous barbs against his hammy renditions of the Bard’s plays. One of which was Richard III, in which Price sends up Lawrence Olivier’s
1955 portrayal of the crook-back king in a scene that recalls Price’s appearance in 1939’s Tower of London, in which his character, the Duke of Clarence, is drowned in a butt of malmsey. Wow! I need a tipple myself after writing that sentence.
• For more information about the archaeological findings of the real king, check
out the Leicester University website; and, if you are a UK resident,
you can watch the Channel 4 documentary Richard III: King in the Car Park on
the 4oD service. Below are a couple of clips of Price as Richard III.
WAR-GODS OF THE DEEP & CROSSPLOT COMING FEBRUARY 2013
Stanley Black (1913-2002) was one of the most popular English band leaders who arranged prolifically for the BBC and Decca as well. Coming from the 1930s London jazz scene and a background in radio music, Black's film music career includes over 100 titles, horror films Blood of the Vampire (1958) and Jack the Ripper (1959), the Cliff Richards musical The Young Ones (1961) and the adaptation of Ferde Grofé pieces for Ken Russell’s Valentino (1977). Black’s film music output has been criminally neglected in the last few decades, the only major compilation of his works is Chandos CD The Film Music of Stanley Black. This CD from Quartet Records presents two different films from the composer’s output from the tumultuous 1960s: War-Gods of the Deep (1965), the AIP adventure inspired by Edgar Allan Poe’s poem The City in the Sea and starring Vincent Price, and Crossplot (1969) starring Roger Moore.
Stanley Black’s dark and gothic score for War-Gods of the Deep could be easily compared to Les Baxter’s similar Poe/AIP horrors; while Crossplot – a dry run for Moore's later role as James Bond – has a proto-007 feeling, headlined by the John Rowles theme song I’ll Find My Love with imaginative variations peppered thoroghout the score. The music was later tracked into several episodes of the cult Roger Moore/Tony Curtis show The Persuaders.
Since the recording tapes of these films are now completely lost, this release is mastered from music stems elements in mono, courtesy of MGM, accompanied by a 28-page booklet with liner notes by Gergely Hubai, who discusses the composer and the films with a track-by-track analysis for both titles.
WAR-GODS OF THE DEEP
1. Main Title / Turgillis Manor (2:27)
2. Gillman Attack (1:45)
3. Jill’s Theme (1:54)
4. Kidnapped Jill / Secret Watergate (3:07)
5. The Captain Enters (2:47)
6. The City in the Sea / My People, My World / The Hunting Party (3:12)
7. First Edition Poe (1:45)
8. Jill Found (1:33)
9. A Shrine to Beatrice (1:13) 10. Underwater Escape (10:05) 11. Cave Fight (1:16) 12. Volcano Eruption (1:03) 13. Final Escape / End Titles (6:07)
CROSSPLOT 14. Prologue / I’ll Find My Love (4:05) 15. Fenn’s Place (1:46) 16. Off to Work (2:48) 17. Planted Photo (0:45) 18. I’ll Find My Love (Instrumental) (1:10) 19. Finding Marla (1:26) 20. The Promise (1:42) 21. Drive On (1:20) 22. Photo Shoot (1:21) 23. Chasing Warren (4:12) 24. Mystery Guest (0:56) 25. Black Convoy (0:41) 26. Oldsmobile Chase (2:05) 27. Helicopter Pursuit (4:41) 28. Marla’s Bath (1:15) 29. Just Married (2:09) 30. Camera Gun /Chilmore (2:49) 31. Hyde Park Charge (1:10) 32. Wedding Night / I’ll Find My Love (2:24)
Finally
unboxed this fantastic new Vincent Price action figure that has been produced
by Blue Water Productions and Executive Replicas based on his Fortunato Luchresi character in The
Black Cat episode
of 1962's Tales of Terror.
It features a very good likeness of Price (though more youthful than his film character), and
the figure comes in a sturdy wooden box that looks like it should contain a
fine vintage bottle of wine (perhaps something Price's Luchresi may have sampled along
with Peter Lorre's wine bipper Montresor Herringbone in the film).
The front panel of the box has also been rendered with a picture of Price as Luchresi, making the box as much as keepsake as the action figure. A metal COA, endorsed by Vincent's estate, can also be engraved with your name on it if you purchase it through Executive Replicas.
In short, a great
addition to my collection. Enjoy the slideshow...
To mark the forthcoming UK DVD release of the 1968 film House of 1000 Dolls (28 January 2013), here's the US Pressbook from my own personal collection in full. Hope you enjoy this sexy slice of retro marketing...
Happy New Year everyone. Let's hope 2013 brings joy, wonder and great tidings. I'm currently working on an exciting new project: a blog devoted to Vincent Price's first trip to Europe in 1929, based on his personal journal. Will keep you all posted in the coming months.
Radio 4 Extra in the UK is broadcasting Vincent Price's classic 1970s radio series The Price of Fear every day from 6pm and 12midnight. Here's today's tale of terror. (click here to go to the website)
Is There Anybody There?
Vincent Price's tale of a phoney clairvoyant and a client who wants a preview of eternity.
Radio 4 Extra in the UK is broadcasting Vincent Price's classic 1970s radio series The Price of Fear every day from 6pm and 12midnight. Here's today's tale of terror. (click here to go to the website)
Not Wanted on the Voyage Vincent Price's tale of Henrietta Forsythe's sway over her secretary and new husband.
You can also still catch yesteday's tale, Out of the Mouths, in which a scientist (Hywel Bennet) tries out advanced theories on his newborn son.
Radio 4 Extra in the UK is broadcasting Vincent Price's classic 1970s radio series The Price of Fear every day from 6pm and 12midnight. Here's today's tale of terror. (click here to go to the website)
The Family Album The tale of faceless commuter Arthur, who proves a formidable adversary as danger strikes.
Radio 4 Extra in the UK is broadcasting Vincent Price's classic 1970s radio series The Price of Fear every day from 6pm and 12midnight. Here's today's tale of terror. (click here to go to the website)
To My Dear, Dear Saladin Vincent Price introduces a tale of a cat and its unusual inheritance. With Annette Crosbie.
Radio 4 Extra in the UK is broadcasting Vincent Price's classic 1970s radio series The Price of Fear every day from 6pm and 12midnight. Here's today's tale of terror. (click here to go to the website)
Goody Two Shoes Sobering tale of Anne and David's move to Devon and an unwelcome lodger.
