The Haunted Palace (1963)
|
Charles Dexter Ward and his wife Ann, have come to the town of Arkham to see what their new property looks like. Charles has inherited a veritable palace which the residents are convinced is haunted. Very suspicious, the residents watch the new visitors but soon their worst fears are realized. A man the town burned at the stake 110 years ago has come back in the body of Charles Ward and they fear yet again, they may have another witch burning.
Overall: Although titled from an Edgar Allan Poe Poem, the story is from H.P. Lovecraft’s “Strange Case of Charles Dexter Ward.” The story from Lovecraft is about a young boy who learns about his ancestors and over the following 8 years, the boy slowly transforms physically and physiologically into his ancestor Joseph Curwen. Seems Curwen set up curses and other incantations, which got Ward very interested/brain-washed into researching Curwen and eventually trying to reincarnate him to take over his mind, with the help of a few other personalities. The good Dr. Willet had to help him out and he’s the one narrating the story. The story is quite long and probably a bit overboard. The film decides to spend more time on Ward turning into Curwen and the townspeople fighting back. The film has a much older Ward in Vincent Price. Also outside of the initial issues between Curwen & Ezra in the 1700’s, Lovecraft barely touches on specific townspeople in the 1920’s. The bigger problem I had with the film is they left everyone playing one person in the 1700’s and the exact same person looking the same for the 1900’s – gave off a “Brigadoon” or “2000 Maniacs” feel – I read the story after the film so when the movie I ended, I half thought that the film was the ghosts of the older generation trying to kill Curwen again. Now I understand the casting was poor in that they should have cast younger people or have them dress differently, alter hairstyles or whatever. I think the story is better than the film but the story could have been cut down big time. Comparison: Comparison: Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde meet Wolfman |
Links to other sites at The Sinning Room
Horror Films A-K Review Page
Horror Films Review Page
