Frankly, I don't really care whether the screenplay of "The Haunted Palace" is based on a H.P Lovecraft-story, simply carrying an Edgar Allan Poe title...or based on an Edgar Allan Poe poem, heavily influenced by H.P Lovecraft's short story. Both these legendary horror authors were genius and an amalgamation of the two oeuvres could only result in an even better movie, right? And that's exactly what "The Haunted Palace" is! A brilliant and genuinely scary film that neatly fits in with the rest of Roger Corman's Poe cycle when it comes to intelligent story lines and ominous atmospheres. Vincent Price gives away another staggering performance (in a double role!) as a New England warlock who's burned alive for his evil practices by the inhabitants of Arkham. Over a century later, he reincarnates as his great-great-grandson Charles Baxter Ward and continues with his malicious sorcery... but not without wreaking vengeance on the descendants of his tormentors! The script is extremely compelling, without dull moments whatsoever, and the set designs are magnificent: ground fogs, castles with creaking gates and secret doorways, loud thunderstorms... It's truly beautiful to see how the camera prowls through the dark, nightmarish scenery and reflects the brooding suspense right onto your screen. The score is excellent and, despite the obvious low-budget, there are several very decent make-up effect to admire, like on the terrifying mutant-villagers who sneak around in the village. Roger Corman's surefooted yet elegant directing is close to perfection, and he damn well knew that he could count on Price again to portray another memorable villain. "The Haunted Pace" is quintessential horror-art!
Review of The Haunted Palace
