Starring Vincent Price, Frank Lovejoy, Phyllis Kirk, Carolyn Jones, Paul Picerni
Directed by Andre de Toth
(actor & director credits courtesy IMDB.com)
A young woman is shaken by her murdered roommate's resemblance to a figure of Joan of Arc in a new wax museum, and wary of the owner, a crippled man who wants her to pose for him.
Warner Brothers' remake of their effective 1933 film chiller, Mystery Of The Wax Museum, features Price in one of his earliest horror roles, and is well-staged by Andre de Toth for the 3-D cameras, its visual depth making the film a winning showcase for the format. In many ways, I prefer the original movie, but Price is wonderful, bringing elegant charm as well as a disturbing mania to the forefront in his performance, an ironic duality that would prove a highlight of his many future roles. Kirk is fine if not particularly distinguished as the female lead, outshone a bit by Jones as her more colorful roommate. The sets are of a wonderful quality, and the production finds some inventively amusing ideas to throw at the camera from a paddle-ball possessing showman to an assortment of leg-baring dancing girls. Keep an eye out for a young Charles Bronson as Price's deaf-mute assistant.
Showing posts with label Carolyn Jones. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Carolyn Jones. Show all posts
Saturday, April 8, 2017
Monday, April 3, 2017
Invasion Of The Body Snatchers (1956)
Starring Kevin McCarthy, Dana Wynter, Larry Gates, King Donovan, Carolyn Jones
Directed by Don Siegel
(actor & director credits courtesy IMDB.com)
A small town doctor discovers that people in his community are having their minds taken over by alien beings after duplicates of their bodies are grown in unearthly pods.
Another entertaining sci-fi thriller from the 1950s, the film features a compelling story, adapted by a magazine serial from Jack Finney, noirish photography by Ellsworth Fredericks, and fine performances and direction. The idea of family, friends, and neighbors being taken over without any obvious outward signs makes for a fascinating hook, and although there's not much in the way of special effects to convince us of the invasion, the dark photography and earnestness of the cast really sell us on the threat. McCarthy is perfect as the everyman hero, and Wynter very attractive and compassionate as his love interest, with excellent support from actors like Larry Gates and King Donovan. Siegel, who helmed so many excellent thrillers from The Big Steal to Dirty Harry, layers action and suspense effectively to maintain a tight and exciting pace throughout the film. Future action auteur Sam Peckinpah has a small part in an acting role.
Directed by Don Siegel
(actor & director credits courtesy IMDB.com)
A small town doctor discovers that people in his community are having their minds taken over by alien beings after duplicates of their bodies are grown in unearthly pods.
Another entertaining sci-fi thriller from the 1950s, the film features a compelling story, adapted by a magazine serial from Jack Finney, noirish photography by Ellsworth Fredericks, and fine performances and direction. The idea of family, friends, and neighbors being taken over without any obvious outward signs makes for a fascinating hook, and although there's not much in the way of special effects to convince us of the invasion, the dark photography and earnestness of the cast really sell us on the threat. McCarthy is perfect as the everyman hero, and Wynter very attractive and compassionate as his love interest, with excellent support from actors like Larry Gates and King Donovan. Siegel, who helmed so many excellent thrillers from The Big Steal to Dirty Harry, layers action and suspense effectively to maintain a tight and exciting pace throughout the film. Future action auteur Sam Peckinpah has a small part in an acting role.
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