Vincent Price: Legends Collection (DVD)
|
This 1971 A.I.P. schlock fest starring Vincent Price is actually less schlocky than it seems at first blush. Price is the disfigured title character who likes to play with his organ (think: Phantom of the Opera), who goes mad after his wife dies (think: The Devil Commands), and decides to wreak his revenge on her attending physicians by visiting them with Biblically-inspired punishments (think: Seven). To add insult to injury, people keep mispronouncing his name (think: Young Frankenstein).
At Dr Phibes' side is the villainous Vulnavia (played by Bond-girl Virginia North), and at his nimble fingertips are the most foul instruments of death imaginable (bats, bees, locusts, flesh-eating acid, etc.). He goes after each doctor one by one, but not without attracting the attention of the law.
The Abominable Dr Phibes is a deliciously atmospheric horror-camp film with exuberant performances, gruesome killings, good music and cinematography, baroque sets, and deft direction from Robert "The Avengers" Fuest. It’s a lot of fun — a certainly one of the few films you’ll find featuring 'death by unicorn-horn' (predating the original Black Christmas by a few years, too!).
Disc 1 (widescreen)
Abominable Dr. Phibes
Dr. Phibes Rises Again
Disc 2 (widescreen)
Tales of Terror
Twice Told Tales
Disc 3 (widescreen)
Theater of Blood
Madhouse WS
Disc 4 (widescreen)
Witchfinder General (aka Conqueror Worm)
Disc 5 (Bonus Disc)
Vincent Price: Renaissance Man – This documentary covers the artsy actor's life from his earliest days (did you know he bought a Rembrandt when he was only 12 years old?), throughout his acting career, till the end. Our host for this trip through tinseltown time is Richard Squires, the Curator of the Vincent Price Museum. There's some interesting stuff here, but the presentation is boring as can be (mostly just Squires' talking head, occasionally broken up by still photos) — though I must give props to the cameraman for at least trying to shoot in some eye-engaging angles.
The Art of Fear – This retrospective features horror experts and Price insiders like Tony Timpone, David De Valle, Donald F. Clife, and… lots of other guys. No women. (I guess the producers of the DVD could not find any horror professionals without penises.)