Vincent Price: MGM Scream Legends Collection (The Abominable Dr. Phibes / Tales of Terror / Theater of Blood / Madhouse / Witchfinder General / Dr. Phibes Rises Again / Twice Told Tales)
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Movie Reviews of Vincent Price: MGM Scream Legends Collection (The Abominable Dr. Phibes / Tales of Terror / Theater of Blood / Madhouse / Witchfinder General / Dr. Phibes Rises Again / Twice Told Tales)
Movie Review: Great Movies, but * BEWARE * of MGM Disc - Cutting Error !
Summary: 5 Stars
Vincent Price is at his best in these shows; that is, those that were viewable in this packaged assortment. While the movies presented here are certainly 5 stars, MGM did NOT cut the DVD's for The Abominable Dr. Phibes and Dr. Phibes Rises Again! I purchased two different copies of these DVD's : One from Amazon - the one this review is written for - and another - also produced by MGM - at a DVD store where I live. In both cases, the Dr. Phibes movies were NOT transferred to the DVD during the MGM 'cutting' process: all that appears is the MGM logo, and nothing else. I tried these discs in three different DVD players, and still, nothing.
If you enjoy Dr. Phibes as much as I do and want to buy discs that work, buy from a merchant that is selling his old working versions. Otherwise, you're taking a chance, since apparently MGM cut some disks, but did not cut others.
Movie Review: PRICE-LESS
Summary: 4 Stars
Each generation has their heroes of horror. The first circled around names like Karloff and Lugosi. Today's generation revels in names like Jason, Michael and Pinhead. And during the sixties? We grew up with Vincent Price.
MGM has just released a DVD box set of several classics by actor Vincent Price, known for his well toned voice and sinister yet dashing looks. Most horror fans loved him for the Roger Corman directed Edgar Allan Poe films that he did. But the films represented here offer a bit more.
The box set contains 4 discs: 1-TALES OF TERROR (based on the works of Poe) and TWICE TOLD TALES (based on the works of Nathaniel Hawthorne), 2-THE ABOMINABLE DR. PHIBES and DR. PHIBES RISES AGAIN (two must have movies for all Price fans). 3-THEATER OF BLOOD (one of Price's favorite roles) and MADHOUSE and 4-WITCHFINDER GENERAL (also released under the name THE CONQUEROR WORM) and DISC OF HORRORS which contains three documentary looks at Price, his work and his life.
Each of these films, with the exception of WITCHFINDER GENERAL, has been released previously but not in a boxed set. And WITCHFINDER GENERAL, a much hailed film, has never seen release until now. The film chronicles events surrounding real life witch hunter Matthew Hopkins in the Middle Ages as he abuses his legal powers eventually leading to his downfall. While some view this as a high mark in British horror films, I found it a bit slow moving and not one of Price's best efforts. It did offer a rather brutal amount of violence for a film shot in the 60s and for that might make it worth watching.
Of the set (and moving past the classic Phibes films which deserve an entire article all their own) I have found that MADHOUSE was a neglected film that deserves seeing. Price stars as a Hollywood horror star that loses his mind after the death of his wife. Years later, a producer wants to resurrect not only the star but the character he played, Dr. Death, for TV. When things begin happening on the set, you are left to wonder has he really recovered or has he gone insane, now a killer stalking the cast and crew?
While many think of this as not much of a movie, it does offer tons of entertaining fun and Price playing a character that is basically himself. The film offers chills that young ones could handle and a story that is interesting, leaving the identity of the killer till the very end and then offering a twist to top that.
If you've never seen a Vincent Price film, you're not a true horror fan. And there is little better place you will find to start than with this box set. It's not only worth watching, it's worth adding to your collection.
Movie Review: The King Of The House Of Usher
Summary: 5 Stars
Johnny Depp has said that aside from his budding friendship with Tim Burton the main reason he did Edward Scissorhands was for the chance to work with the legendary Vincent Price in what turned out to be his last film appearance. He was that kind of actor. On screen he commanded the screen like no other horror star of his generation with the possible exception of Boris Karloff. He reveled in his roles. And he rose indomitably (pardon the pun) to the occasion again and again. From the forties through to the eighties. Add to this the fact that he was a much sought after character actor in films of the late thirties and forties and even into the fifties with The Ten Commandments. As to this product.
None of the films are his greatest and none are his worst. Included are the two Dr. Phibes films which sparked yet another revival of his career late in the game. They are coy and filled with demonic glee that only Price could deliver. And this mind you is behind a frozen mask and with limited vocal delivery. The Audience knew intimately the man behind the mask and applauded his last great screen performances for what they were -tongue-in-cheek nods to his career. God Bless Tim Burton for giving him the proper send-off he so richly deserved in Edward Scissorhands. And passing the gauntlet (again pardon the pun) as it were to Mr. Depp at the same time. Depp's Sweeney Todd should ensconce him alongside Price and Karloff in this kind of depraved tormented characters they specialized in.
This set is well worth having. Nothing Price ever did lets you down. He always gave it his all. Other actors laughed at him and called him the Canned Ham of Horror, but his career went on and on while theirs fell by the wayside. You be the judge. Buy it. I dare you.
Movie Review: Can't Beat The Price!
Summary: 5 Stars
This is a great set from the MGM vaults. Granted, all these films are have been available individually, but it's much easier on your wallet to do it this way(if you don't mind slim dvd cases that is). Putting together a bigger career spanning collection would make this set enormous, but I have no complaints about the selections here. Some of Price's best performances are included in this set. Best performances being Dr. Phibes, Theater of Blood and Witchfinder General. Also included is Madhouse, which alot of folks consider a dud, but I actually like it, and it's the only time you'll see Price acting with Peter Cushing(this should have happened more). The only new addition is the Disc of Horrors which includes three short, yet quite informative documentaries about Price, as told by a group of film historians, writers and critics(man, he seemed like such a nice guy). Definitely a no brainer for the Price fans and worth the money if you haven't already bought the movies individually. If you missed it for Halloween, better make sure you get someone to purchase it for you for Christmas!Movie Review: Vincent Price: MGM Scream Legends Collection
Summary: 4 Stars
I just love cheap old movies (old genre movies) like the ones I grew up watching at the Drive-Ins. This collection of old Vincent Price movies is so much fun! I was searching for some old Dr. Phibes movies and ending up buying the collection, which including several additional movies as well. These are great old movies that should not be taken too seriously, just enjoyed. I highly recommend these. They are fairly inexpensive and I feel you will enjoy them.