Milland plays an English 19th-century nobleman convinced that hereditary catalepsy will cause him to be buried alive. To escape his conuming fear of this fate, he builds a tomb equipped with numerous safety-valve escape mechanisms -- even a poison to take should all else fail. When his wife (Court) forces him to destroy it, a chain of events occurs with his burial and subsequent rescue via graverobbers (who he promptly slays). Good moments of suspense, good photography by pro Crosby, the usual poor direction of actors not being an obstacle to the film's quality. Surprise ending is a plus.
I thought Milland made a good choice given the unavailability of Price (his contract with AIP was binding only to the extent that he not make any Edgar Allen Poe movies with anyone except AIP, from what I've heard). He is an actor of a type not seen often these days -- he strongly projects his emotions, causing them to be felt by the audience, instead of simply seen. Vincent Price was also an actor of this type; their work in these "cheapie" horror films should not go unnoticed. It brings a power to these films that makes them memorable.
I thought Milland made a good choice given the unavailability of Price (his contract with AIP was binding only to the extent that he not make any Edgar Allen Poe movies with anyone except AIP, from what I've heard). He is an actor of a type not seen often these days -- he strongly projects his emotions, causing them to be felt by the audience, instead of simply seen. Vincent Price was also an actor of this type; their work in these "cheapie" horror films should not go unnoticed. It brings a power to these films that makes them memorable.