THE HAUNTED PALACE (1963)/TOWER OF LONDON (1962)
Director: Roger Corman
MGM

MGM presents another enticing "Midnite Movies" double feature with these two early 60s efforts directed by Roger Corman and starring Vincent Price. THE HAUNTED PALACE is actually based on H.P. Lovecraft's The Case of Charles Dexter Ward, but due to AIP's marketing interference, it was passed of as another entry in Corman's ongoing Poe cycle. TOWER OF LONDON is a semi remake of the 1939 Universal film which also featured a much younger Price.

THE HAUNTED PALACE: In 1765, evil warlock Joseph Curwen (Vincent Price) is lynched by the villagers and burnt alive for performing sorcery and for abducting some of the local women. Before he perishes, he puts a curse on the inhabitants of Arkham and their offspring. One hundred and ten years later, his kind descendent, Charles Dexter Ward (Price again), visits Arkham with his beautiful young wife (Debra Paget) to claim the inheritance of Curwen's castle. The couple is not exactly greeted warmly by the townspeople, and they run into a number of horribly disfigured people. They reluctantly stay at the castle, where a strange caretaker named Simon (Lon Chaney, Jr.) greets them. Turns out that Simon is an age-old friend of Curwen, and helps the once dead warlock gain control of the mind and soul of his ancestor to continue his depravity.

THE HAUNTED PALACE's only relation to Poe is that it borrowed the title of the poem, which Price is heard reading from during the closing credits. It's similar in style to Corman's previous Poe efforts, but somewhat darker and more macabre than the previous few, setting the tone for the masterful MASQUE OF THE RED DEATH and TOMB OF LIGEIA. The usual Corman crew is on hand, with Daniel Haller's exquisite art direction (Haller would later direct two Lovecraft adaptations for AIP: DIE MONSTER DIE and THE DUNWICH HORROR), and Floyd Crosby's lush color widescreen photography being a highlight. Long time Corman cohort Ronald Stein delivers what is probably his most memorable film score, and it's now available on a CD soundtrack.

Price was so accustomed to playing the tormented character in these Poe films, but this time he was able to add an evil persona (ala "Jekyll and Hyde") and he switches back and forth effortlessly. Debra Paget (in her last feature before she retired from the cinema) is one of the most beautiful actresses ever to grace the screen, and Lon Chaney, although more subdued than usual, is given one of his last decent parts (the actor's' wrinkles and cherry blossom nose are covered in greenish greasepaint). A number of great character actors are on hand, including Leo Gordon, Elisha Cook, John Dierkes, Bruno VeSota, Barboura Morris and Frank Maxwell as the sensible doctor. With its terrific production values, excellent cast, ghastly deformities and monsters in the closet, THE HAUNTED PALACE is prime AIP gothic, and one of Corman's best.

On the flip side of the disc is TOWER OF LONDON. Here price graduates in rank from the role he played in the later 30s original (which had Basil Rathbone in the lead), as the hunched Richard III, murdering his way up in his vain attempt to become King of England. The eldest brother in the royal family, and the King of England, Edward IV, is on his deathbed in the Tower of London. Edward appoints his younger brother Clarence (Charles Macaulay from BLACULA) as his successor. When Richard catches wind of this, he stabs Clarence in the back and leaves him in a vat of wine. Richard continues to kill to procure the throne, including the innocent and pretty Mistress Shore (Sandra Knight, FRANKENSTEIN'S DAUGHTER) who is tortured on a rack. Richard has hallucinations of the ghosts of his killers, and accidentally strangles his own wife.

TOWER OF LONDON is the only movie Corman did with Price outside the AIP roster, and it's a minor one at that. Shot in black and white (and not in Panavision), it's a heavy handed costume drama with horror film elements, and some juicy Shakespearean ham for Price to sink his teeth into. Again, Daniel Haller does the art direction, but the sets are apparently borrowed from other films and it tends to have a TV production look to it due to the uninspired photography and cut rate special effects. The supporting cast is good, though not particularly suitable for the material, and the climatic battle is laughable. It's still fairly entertaining and Price is in nearly every frame.

For the first time on home video, THE HAUNTED PALACE is presented in its original 2.35:1 aspect ratio with anamorphic enhancement. The transfer beautifully restores the widescreen photography and the source print is relatively clean, with little or no blemishes. The image is generally very sharp with excellent contrast despite some dark lighting in the interiors. Colors are always pleasing, with fleshtones being most impressive; witness the rosy cheeks and multi-colored makeup on actors really standing out. The mono audio has good range and clarity, and is overall very solid. TOWER OF LONDON is in a non-anamorphic 1.66:1 letterboxed transfer. For a 40 year-old black and white film, the images are sharp with the deep blacks and crisp contrast. There is no noticeable grain, and the source material is in excellent condition. The mono audio is fine, with no distortion. Both features include optional English, French and Spanish subtitles.

Both titles feature there own featurette, produced and directed by Greg Carson. "A Change of Poe" has an interview with Corman, as he discusses his wanting to film Lovecraft, his respect for Vincent Price, what it was like working with Chaney, etc. The featurette covers most of the basics of the film, and a smiling Corman is also on hand on the flip side to proudly introduce his brother Gene Corman for "Producing Tower of London." Gene Corman produced the film with his brother in the director's chair, and here he talks about how he got the assignment, the Cormans' surprise when they were told that they'd have to shoot in black and white, and why the ending battle scene borrowed stock footage from the 1939 TOWER OF LONDON. Both Cormans give enlightening interviews and these featurettes are well produced and nicely edited. There is no trailer for TOWER, but there is one for HAUNTED. (George R. Reis)

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