Vincent Priceis one of the original icons of horror cinema, best known for his commanding and one-of-a-kind voice, as well as his charismatic screen presence.Price has made a career from playing a wide range of characters, mainly in gothic horror and intense thrillers, where the roles he plays are equally tragic and horrifying. He was arguablythe most popular horror actor of the 1960s, while his collaborations with famed director Roger Corman, as well as frequently appearing in Edgar Allan Poe adaptions, made him a recognized and memorable figure in horror cinema.
In a career spanning six decades,Price’s creepiest film characterswere some of the most unsettling in film history, like his intense, harrowing personas inHouse of WaxandThe Pit and the Pendulum.Price has made weaving terrifying figures with genuine emotion and sympathy his trademark,and whether he’s playing a cruel host or haunted scientist, he always elicits the skill and nuance that make him one of the best horror actors of all time.
The Raven
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The Raven is a 1963 gothic horror film directed by Roger Corman. It follows a magician transformed into a raven, who seeks assistance from a retired sorcerer to restore his human form. The film blends elements of comedy and supernatural intrigue, featuring performances by Vincent Price and Peter Lorre.
In an adaption of one of Poe’s most famous poems,The Raven, Price plays the sorcerer Dr. Erasmus Craven,who gets drawn into a duel with an unscrupulous Dr. Scarabus. This brilliant adaption is true to the source material and combines many riveting elements, such as magic, gothic horror, and genuinely hilarious, darkly humorous beats that add a layer of comedy to the piece.
This Must-Watch Vincent Price & Boris Karloff Horror Comedy From 1963 Has 83% On Rotten Tomatoes Despite Bombing With Critics
The underrated 1963 horror comedy, The Raven, features a cast full of horror movie legends. It was critically panned but is well worth watching.
The film’s narrative has been well known for many years, but the style in which it’s presented and the chemistry between Price, Boris Karloff, and a young Jack Nicholson elevate it to a unique level.Price is the main stand-out inThe Ravenfor his commanding presenceand his sense of humorwhilst delivering his sharp one-liners.
14The Tingler (1959)
Directed By William Castle
InThe Tingler,Price’s Dr. Warren Chapin discovers a parasite called"tinglers"that live in the spine of humans,feeding on fear and making the host literally tingle when frightened. This distinct story was heightened in some theaters by buzzing seats that added to the terror on screen (viaTIME). While the parasite plot may seem rudimentary by today’s horror standards, Price plays his part of the eccentric Doctor perfectly, a man caught between scientific brilliance and destructiveness. While not critically acclaimed at the time,The Tingleris still a greatblack-and-white horror to stream today.
13Twice-Told Tales (1963)
Directed By Sidney Salkow
Based on author Nathaniel Hawthorne’s two short stories and one novel, this anthology horror film tells three distinct and intricate stories that weave gothic horror and romance for an amazing effect. Price, with his powerful voice, narrates and introduces all three segments while playing a starring role in each one.The mix of romance and horror can be a difficult one to pull off,but Price’s captivating performance and larger-than-life personas make it a gothic treat,and one that shows the true versatility of his acting talent.
The Haunted Palace
The Haunted Palace (1963) is a horror film directed by Roger Corman, based on an H.P. Lovecraft story. Vincent Price stars as Charles Dexter Ward, a man who travels to the eerie village of Arkham and discovers his ancestor’s dark legacy. The film blends atmospheric settings with supernatural elements, maintaining a sense of foreboding and suspense throughout.
The Haunted Palaceconstitutes another installment in the Corman-Poe series of films; however, while the title is derived from Poe’s poem,its plot is actually adapted fromThe Case of Charles Dexter Wardby H.P. Lovecraft, with Price playing the titular character who inherits a haunted mansion. The film is one of thebest H.P. Lovecraftian movie adaptions, as it offers a faithful retelling while elevating the themes of horror and black magic. The supernatural elements stand out, while Price’s portrayal of Ward is a fascinating psychological turn, with the backdrop of a terrifying mansion to make it an intriguing and rewatchable film.
The Tomb of Ligeia
The Tomb of Ligeia is a horror film directed by Roger Corman, based on the Edgar Allan Poe short story “Ligeia”. The 1964 film follows Verden Fell, a man haunted by the memory of his deceased wife Ligeia, who is determined to uncover the secrets behind her mysterious death.
The eighth and final film in the Corman-Poe series of films follows Verden Fell, a recent widower who meets and marries a young, confident woman and is then haunted by his first wife. This tense and, at times, shocking film builds upon the short story that it is based on.
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The Tomb Of Ligeia
The Tomb of Ligeiais a slow-burning narrative that grips the audience as things get more horrifying and bizarrewith each passing scene. Price delivers an introspective and honest look at a man haunted in his new life by his old one, making it a strong conclusion to this iconic sub-series of his career and the cinematic horror genre.
The Last Man On Earth
The Last Man on Earth follows the sole survivor of a global epidemic that transforms humans into the living dead. Released in 1964, the film stars Vincent Price as Dr. Robert Morgan, who battles against an onslaught of vampire-like creatures, having adapted to a life of solitude and survival.
In this post-apocalyptic sci-fi horror, Price plays another troubled doctor, who is the only survivor of a horrific plague that turns those who have been infected into vampiric creatures. While the world is turned upside down, Dr. Robert Morgan thrives in the routine of waking up, marking the calendar, and leaving to hunt the vampires before returning home once the sun goes down.
The Last Man on Earthis based on the 1954 novelI Am Legendby author Richard Matheson, which would become a blockbuster hit starring Will Smith in 2007.
The Last Man on Earthprovides the framework for a lot of vampire/zombie films going forward, whilePrice’s portrayal of a man forced to endure fear and isolationwhile trying to remain sane is spellbinding, and one of the finest performances in his filmography.
9House On Haunted Hill (1959)
Another “Castle Horror,” directed by William Castle,House on Haunted Hilltells the story of Frederick Loren, an eccentric millionaire who invites five people to a “haunted house” party — whoever can survive the full night will win $10,000.House on Haunted Hillis one of Price’s most iconic roles,expertly blending psychological horror with increasingly terrifying supernatural elements. Price’s Loren is incredibly played, a mysterious and controlling figure who wields power over his guests. The combination of charm and menace is another trademark of Price, helping create another gem for his career.
House of Usher
The Fall of the House of Usher is a horror film adaptation of Edgar Allan Poe’s 1839 short story, directed by Roger Corman. The film follows Roderick Usher, a reclusive and ailing aristocrat, and his sister Madeline, as they struggle with a mysterious and deadly family curse. Vincent Price stars as Roderick, alongside Mark Damon and Myrna Fahey.
The Fall of the House of Usheris another Poe tale directed by Corman, featuring Price as Roderick Usher, a man who attempts to ward off his sister’s fiancé, explaining that his family bloodline is cursed. The story descends into chaos as the curse starts to take over the house and its inhabitants. Another slow-burner narrative with its constant sense of impending doom,Price gives a virtuoso performance of a man haunted by his family’s sinisterhistory and adds a beautifully tense atmosphere throughout the relatively short 79-minute runtime.
7The Abominable Dr. Phibes (1971)
Directed By Robert Fuest
A British comedy horror film,The Abominable Dr. Phibesfeatures Price as the titular Dr. Anton Phibes, a grotesque and vicious doctor injured in a car accident who seeks revenge for his wife’s death during surgery.Phibes blames the surgeons who performed his wife’s procedure and starts to create elaborate plans to kill those he deems responsible.
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The Abominable Dr. Phibesshowcases more facets of Price’s comedic timing,with each murder in the film more and more ridiculous.The dark comedy moments throughout are perfectly played, highlighting the contrast of horror that works as the backdrop. Price’s portrayal, forced to be silent, is still as elegant and intrusive as many of his other roles.
6Witchfinder General (1968)
Directed By Michael Reeves
The period horrorWitchfinder Generalis one of thebest folk horror movies ever created, starring Price as lawyer Matthew Hopkins, a violent and opportunistic witch hunter who exploits the breakdown of social order, torturing suspected local witches to get a confession and be paid handsomely for the trouble. The film is set during the English Civil War, and it is easily one of Price’s darkest roles.Witchfinder Generalis beautifully crafted and shot, whilePrice’s depiction of the brutal torturer who finds immense pride in cruelty and violence is harrowing.
