Tales of Terror

Peter Lorre plays a really affable drunk. I know a lot of drunks and they're never as awesome as Peter Lorre. Some of them do look like Peter Lorre though.

The combination of Edgar Allan Poe and Vincent Price is usually fairly reliable, and if this anthology is a bit slight, it is entertaining enough. Price, Lorre and a creepy Rathbone are good value for money, in particular a wine-tasting between Price and Lorre is worth the entrance fee alone. It isn't particularly scary, but it's well-made enough to hold the interest and get the message across. I swear I'll read one of these Poe stories one day...

Okay, you don't go into these tales expecting true terror, but if you go expecting mild creepiness and cheesy fun you'll have a good time. The second of the three tales was the best - a comedy with a perpetually drunk Peter Lorre. The third was good with an intense Basil Rathbone. I should have just skipped the first one.

Three stories, all rather mediocre in different ways. The first is kind of creepy, but ends quickly and abruptly. The second can barely be called horror. It's good when Price and Lorre play off each other but otherwise forgettable. The last one is, I dunno, it exists. Like the first it's too short, but unlike that one it doesn't even have the decency to be coherent. On the plus side Rathbone and the ending at least make it a bit creepy.

Two great stories and one poor one. The comedy between Price and Lorre in the second story is a highlight.

Fortunately the Valdemar story works (although the way they signal who's going to wind up together is clumsy) otherwise I would've scored this lower. What I thought was going to end as the Amontillado story has a great LOL funny bit w/ Price as a wine taster, but the new climax would've had more impact if we'd gotten a sense the cat disliked Lorre. The 1st story is bad. Some unexpected things happen, but I have no idea why or even how since nothing supernatural is mentioned - & why attack Price?

first story was totally bland. second one was not exactly terrifying, however lorre and price together were INCREDIBLE and the wine tasting scene is now a most memorable scene ever for myself it was so awesome. rounded out by an acceptable, yet unsurprising 3rd chapter with a particularly nasty basil rathbone. the ending was gnarly and cool.

Price's overacting is terrible in act ii or it's just a dark comedy. stories, directing, acting, whole movie is terrible even by b-movie standards.

Not the greatest product this collaboration has produced, but solidly entertaining nonetheless. The second story stands out as Price becomes the largest ham ever.

Pretty good for a Corman film. I think being an anthology film helps. That way, the original stories doen't have to be padded with extraneous plot elements.

Brilliant collage of horror tales, it's like you're reading Poe's stories. All the stars are magnificient. The last story is especially realistic and creepy. I loved this movie.

Passes the time.

Very good anthology. Lovely Corman-style horror, great cast, plus it's often funny. It's worth it just to see the way Vincent Price tastes wine

51/56/57

It's an unpopular opinion, but I think this is the best of the Corman Poe cycle. It diverts from the formula slightly as it's an anthology, and I think the middle (longest part) is the best of Corman's Poe work. Unlike the earlier entries, Price doesn't have to totally carry the show here, as the great Peter Lorre appears opposite him. They play off each other well and I really thought Lorre's performance was fun. Basil Rathbone also appears in the third story. Great stuff.

Keeping with the "Poe Cycle,' Corman opts for shorter stories rather than padding them like some of his others. The three here certainly ooze atmosphere and have creepy overtones, but they're mostly "gotcha" moments at the ends of each story. Lorre makes a wonderful villain, and Rathbone is quite a treat since Price is literally sleeping through most of that one. I was entertained while watching, but I think I'll have more enjoyment from knowing I watched the whole set.

Of the Corman films I've seen, this one was easily the best. These stories move quickly (pace has been a problem with the other Corman films I've seen) and the performances are great. Some of the sequences and shots are still genuinely frightening today.

69.

An anthology consisting of three stories. The middle segment, an adaptation of the Black Cat, that's the best and longest which lifts this up. It stars an amusing Peter Lorre as drunkard. He's the first actor that can match Price level in these movies. The last segment has a creepy Basil Rathbone, who also does a good job of matching Price. It's all more amusing than terrifying, so not recommended for people looking to get frightened.

"Terror" is rather over-stating it. What it IS is a camp-fest, especially the last two tales. But I maintain that any movie with Vincent Price in it is camp. Add Peter Lorre... well, 'nuff said.

The Black Cat is awful! The only good episode is the last one - or at least its ending.

Roger Corman #7

watched: 2014, 2020

The 2nd tale has always been my favorite.

So cheesey that I can't turn away and am fascinated by it.

Once again Roger Corman delivers with very well done adaptations of Poe. I wasn't too keen with Lorre's take on the Black Cat which I found to be too camp with its humor. Both 'Morella' and 'Valdemar' were good though not as in depth as Twice Told Tales.