Vincent Price's An Evening of Edgar Allan Poe coming to Blu-ray in the UK

An Evening of Edgar Allan Poe will be one of the special extras on Arrow Films Limited Edition SteelBook and Blu-ray release of The Pit and the Pendulum, which is released in the UK on 19 May 2014, the same day as the delayed release of Theatre of Blood.

This 1970 videotaped production, which was originally released on MGM's Midnite Movies DVD double-bill with The Tomb of Ligeia, showcases Vincent Price doing Poe as it should be done.

In four virtuoso performances, Vincent recites The Tell-Tale Heart (the best of the lot), The Sphinx, The Cask of Amontillado and The Pit and the Pendulum, all accompanied by Les Baxter’s rousing score and with Price wearing costumes designed by his second wife, Mary.

I’m so hoping the Arrow Blu-ray transfer will be an improvement on the MGM DVD release, but even if it’s not, at least it’s a chance to see Vincent unplugged and makes a great addition to the extras on Arrow’s forthcoming release of The Pit & the Pendulum, which features exclusive bonus materials not included on the recent Scream Factory Blu-ray release. Here are the full specs.

• High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) presentation of the feature in its original 2.35:1 aspect ratio, transferred from original film elements by MGM
• Original uncompressed Mono PCM Audio
• Optional Isolated Music and Effects Track
• Optional English SDH subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
• Audio commentary with Roger Corman (also on the Scream Factory release)
• Audio commentary by critic Tim Lucas NEW
• Behind the Swinging Blade – Documentary on the making of The Pit and the Pendulum featuring Roger Corman, star Barbara Steele, Victoria Price and more. NEW
• Added TV Sequence – Shot in 1968 to pad out the film for the longer TV time slot, this scene features star Luana Anders NEW
• An Evening of Edgar Allan Poe with Vincent Price [52 mins] (with optional English SDH) NEW
• Original Trailer
• Collector’s booklet, illustrated with original archive stills and posters