tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3193750673421600279.post143616825107223788..comments2023-12-30T01:44:58.368-08:00Comments on The Girl with the White Parasol: Movie Review: The Haunted PalaceAubynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00446079492480611898noreply@blogger.comBlogger18125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3193750673421600279.post-22278222911775345952011-06-23T10:56:26.880-07:002011-06-23T10:56:26.880-07:00Thanks for your very detailed comment, Dorian. I l...Thanks for your very detailed comment, Dorian. I love it when people give me specifics about what they liked. And I will definitely check out that short film.Aubynhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00446079492480611898noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3193750673421600279.post-49819954531077504142011-06-21T11:45:26.113-07:002011-06-21T11:45:26.113-07:00Rachel, I loved your detailed review of THE HAUNTE...Rachel, I loved your detailed review of THE HAUNTED PALACE and your terrific pictures! Even with the flaws you describe, you've got me interested in checking this film out sometime. I especially liked your remarks about the mash-up of Poe and Lovecraft, as well as your details about Charles Beaumont and Vincent Price's performance as Curwen trying to pretend he's Ward. <br /><br />By the way, Rachel, if you or anyone else here is interested in seeing a modern-day Lovecraftian tale, seek out David Prior's chilling short film AM1200. It's only 40 minutes long, but it packs more of a wallop than many full-length movies! If you want to know more, here's the link to the director's Web site:<br /><br />http://www.am1200.com/DorianTBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01357778472575080022noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3193750673421600279.post-32290761339477292262011-06-20T08:12:32.899-07:002011-06-20T08:12:32.899-07:00Stacia: I think the main problems with blogathons ...Stacia: I think the main problems with blogathons is that people keep bringing up movies I want to see, <i>Witchfinder General</i> being one of them. :)<br /><br />W.B. Kelso and Vulnavia (since you both brought up the same thing): I'm not too fussed about the fire although I'll concede that yeah, the repeated footage could be annoying. While I was watching it, I was too busy wondering about what the deal was with the portrait.Aubynhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00446079492480611898noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3193750673421600279.post-32624307249743031342011-06-20T07:46:39.014-07:002011-06-20T07:46:39.014-07:00How did I not know that there was a Roger Corman b...How did I not know that there was a Roger Corman blogathon going on? Doh! <br /><br />I love The Haunted Palace, but you're right about all of its flaws. I'll add one more: I don't care for the palace going up in flames. I especially don't like that it re-uses yet again the burning barn footage Corman originally shot for House of Usher. I mean, I realize that these films were made when there was no dream of people watching them in close proximity, but, man, that footage gets old fast.Vulnavia Morbiushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04722740955194993451noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3193750673421600279.post-66046537292604271602011-06-20T01:51:17.789-07:002011-06-20T01:51:17.789-07:00Usually it was the same castle burning, meaning th...Usually it was the same castle burning, meaning the same footage, spliced into almost every Poe film. In face, one of the reasons The Terror ended in a flood was because Corman figured he couldn't get away that trick again. <br /><br />Fantastic write up! Need to see this again. Of course its one of the few Midnite Movie double discs I don't have. Not on Netflix, either. To Amazon I go...W.B. Kelsohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06488705562652550244noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3193750673421600279.post-43763794740380553952011-06-19T23:15:32.789-07:002011-06-19T23:15:32.789-07:00This was great! Your screencaps look wonderful. ...This was great! Your screencaps look wonderful. The performance by Price as the evil character reminds me a little of his role in <i>Witchfinder General</i>, actually, but I can't really put my finger on why.<br /><br />Corman sure liked to destroy castles at the end of his movies, and thank goodness for that.Staciahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05250238254417726987noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3193750673421600279.post-37614409734869696172011-06-19T20:04:33.117-07:002011-06-19T20:04:33.117-07:00Thanks for dropping by to comment, Toby. I'm j...Thanks for dropping by to comment, Toby. I'm just discovering your blog and having a great time.<br /><br />And yeah, I think I definitely have a list of Cormans I have to see.Aubynhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00446079492480611898noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3193750673421600279.post-23131285557100795852011-06-19T19:50:38.092-07:002011-06-19T19:50:38.092-07:00The Poe pictures are creepy fun. This one, to me, ...The Poe pictures are creepy fun. This one, to me, is just plain creepy. And that's a good thing.<br /><br />The comparison of Lovecraft and Beaumont was fascinating, and you can find traces of both lurking in the film.<br /><br />Revisiting all these films via these posts, I can tell I have a Corman binge coming on!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3193750673421600279.post-6417531132573679482011-06-19T16:31:48.621-07:002011-06-19T16:31:48.621-07:00Ivan: And who could blame him? And if this thread ...Ivan: And who could blame him? And if this thread turn into a Charles Beaumont appreciation, I wouldn't be at all displeased. I like "The Howling Man," as well as "Perchance to Dream" and "Long Live Walter Jameson."<br /><br />Thomas: Nice to see you around these parts. Thanks for the review.<br /><br />Again, thanks everybody, for your comments!Aubynhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00446079492480611898noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3193750673421600279.post-29956364266911483742011-06-19T07:33:14.458-07:002011-06-19T07:33:14.458-07:00Great read! This is one of my fave Corman directe...Great read! This is one of my fave Corman directed films...totally atmospheric.Thomas Dukehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00804326045764733280noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3193750673421600279.post-66182489744556744962011-06-19T05:27:50.617-07:002011-06-19T05:27:50.617-07:00Even though Corman does give us a grand set piece ...<i>Even though Corman does give us a grand set piece of the castle going up in flames</i><br /><br />You know, sometimes I'm convinced Rog made this movie just so he could set the castle on fire.<br /><br /><b>The Haunted Palace</b> rates a notch lower than some of Corman's other horror films but I still consider myself a fan of it for one of the reasons you state in your review--the participation of Charles Beaumont. (It's probably why <b>The Masque of the Red Death</b> is tied with <b>Pit and the Pendulum</b> as my favorite Corman film.) Chuck was not only a great fiction writer but a sensational scribe period--his collection of nostalgic essays (<i>Remember? Remember?</i>) is one of my favorite reads. And many of the <b><i>Twilight Zone</i></b> episodes that I enjoy returning to time and time again are Beaumonts, like "The Howling Man" and the one you mention, "Shadow Play." Great review, Rachel!Ivan G Shreve Jrhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04067177808320053382noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3193750673421600279.post-24986958735642385532011-06-18T15:36:44.766-07:002011-06-18T15:36:44.766-07:00Page: I think your assessment is accurate, the atm...Page: I think your assessment is accurate, the atmosphere and the actors are what really raise the film. Beaumont's script keeps everything humming along, but there were many moments where I hoped the story would go a little deeper with its characters or ideas.<br /><br />Rick29: I'm very fond of Beaumont since I'm a <i>Twilight Zone</i> fan from way back and he was one of the best writers they had. He could switch from the heart-warming to the grotesque with ease.<br /><br />ClassicBecky: I'm thinking this must have been my most even-handed review ever, since people who love this film and don't love it are agreeing with me. I think that under different circumstances, Beaumont and Lovecraft could have been a great match-up, but to me, the end result just didn't <i>feel</i> like the work of either men. I can see why filmmakers would be intimidated by Lovecraft ("How are we going to show an unimaginable horror on screen?"), but I actually think his brand of paranoia and fatalism might be more attractive to modern audiences than Poe these days.<br /><br />Thanks for all the great comments, guys!Aubynhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00446079492480611898noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3193750673421600279.post-38216241526932028222011-06-18T15:12:55.644-07:002011-06-18T15:12:55.644-07:00Wow, Rachel, your assessment of The Haunted Palace...Wow, Rachel, your assessment of The Haunted Palace is right on the nose. I have seen every one of Corman's Poe movies with Vincent Price, and I am a rabid fan of H.P. Lovecraft. This story is definitely not Poe, and it's too bad Corman was forced to make it a bastardization of Lovecraft's work and Poe-like elements. The elder-god monster, the mutations, the Necronomicon, Charles Dexter Ward, all are Lovecraft creations. <br /><br />Despite its flaws, I just love the movie -- it has the creepy elements you describe, and is just the usual Corman/Price fun. But the movie doesn't gel for the very reasons you bring out -- you just can't mix Lovecraft, Beaumont, Corman and a profit-only studio mindset. None of them go together. <br /><br />I think film-makers are really intimidated by Lovecraft, and rightly so! I've seen some horrible attempts to film his stories. I have to disagree with Rick about Pickman's Model -- although it is probably the least horrible, it still didn't catch the horror for me. However, I recently saw a movie made by some young film-makers, very independently, of "Call of Cthulhu." It was excellent! As a matter of fact, I am currently doing an interview with the director and working on a review for my own blog.<br /><br />This is just a first-rate review, Rachel, very impressive and a fascinating read!ClassicBeckyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03591715859057540467noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3193750673421600279.post-61353569959258952272011-06-18T14:45:17.706-07:002011-06-18T14:45:17.706-07:00Rachel, I'm a fan of both Lovecraft and Beaumo...Rachel, I'm a fan of both Lovecraft and Beaumont, so THE HAUNTED PALACE has always intrigued me. I pretty much agree with your assessment: it's an interesting movie, but somehow never gels. I'm so glad you incorporated background info on Lovecraft and Beaumont. The latter rarely gets his due, but he penned some of the finest TWILIGHT ZONE episodes. There aren't many Lovecraft film adaptations and most diverge from his stories. I think "Pickman's Model", an episode of NIGHT GALLERY, is one of the best attempts.Rick29https://www.blogger.com/profile/08358116647815569722noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3193750673421600279.post-57199883963754641092011-06-18T12:59:35.211-07:002011-06-18T12:59:35.211-07:00Rachel,
I wandered into this film a few summers a...Rachel, <br />I wandered into this film a few summers ago when trying to see every Chaney Jr. film I could get my hands on.<br /><br />I'm glad you inserted some screen grabs of the scenery because it really stood out to me. The atmosphere keeps you in your seat and hoping RC does something fantastic with the script, and the brilliant actors who are at the top of the horror film genre in every aspect.<br /><br />I enjoyed the film but I didn't love it but your review on the other hand is beautifully written and very kind to the film. All of your research was a nice bonus.<br />A wonderful review!<br />PagePagehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15063277863578004836noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3193750673421600279.post-4260172965424144982011-06-18T10:54:15.164-07:002011-06-18T10:54:15.164-07:00Well....it won't be for another 3-4 months or ...Well....it won't be for another 3-4 months or so. I just wanted everyone to vote on it right now while I have everyone's attention.<br /><br />That...and I want to make sure that the topic will be one that everyone will be enthusiastic about. One of the strengths of this blogathon is that everyone seems to REALLY be excited about the topic. I just want to make sure that we repeat this blogathon's success.Nathanael Hoodhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08959797971471060052noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3193750673421600279.post-40757701921753713642011-06-18T09:54:22.140-07:002011-06-18T09:54:22.140-07:00Nathanael,
Wow. Thanks so much for your kind word...Nathanael,<br /><br />Wow. Thanks so much for your kind words. It's a real treat to get a comment like this. I'm very glad that I didn't know <i>The Haunted Palace</i> was one of your faves since that might have intimidated me away from it. I had a lot of fun writing this entry.<br /><br />Damn it, I knew I should have read the original Lovecraft story, but unfortunately, I didn't leave myself enough time to do more than skim it. The mutations definitely felt like Lovecraft.<br /><br />Again, thank you for your response and a big thanks for organizing this blogathon. It's been a lot of fun reading all these great reviews. And you want to dive straight into another blogathon? I admire your stamina, my good sir.Aubynhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00446079492480611898noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3193750673421600279.post-26272153625768722672011-06-18T09:31:34.958-07:002011-06-18T09:31:34.958-07:00Final six words:
Stunning and enjoyable, analytic...Final six words:<br /><br />Stunning and enjoyable, analytical and insightful.<br /><br />Bravo! Great job with this review! "The Haunted Palace" is one of my all-time favorite Corman films. I was really worried when I announced this blogathon that the writer who chose this film wouldn't do it justice. But you most certainly have! And then some!<br /><br />It was one of his most chilling and atmospheric movies. It also helped that it starred Vincent Price and Lon Chaney Jr. with two of their best performances. Chaney did his father proud! <br /><br />As a side note...I'm pretty sure that the mutations were Lovecraft's idea.<br /><br />But anyhow....<br /><br />I want to personally thank you for participating in this blogathon! You have revealed yourself to be an insightful and enthusiastic writer. I am so happy that you decided to write for us! I now have a great new blog to add to my blogroll!<br /><br />Also, don't forget to vote for the Readers' Choice Award on Monday and to vote for the topic of our next blogathon by voting at the poll on my site's home page.Nathanael Hoodhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08959797971471060052noreply@blogger.com