When I worked a couple of days on the film Sideways (2004) I had an occasion to talk to one of the assistant directors. I had mentioned Vincent Price, and she immediately asked, what films did he make? That’s surprising for a person you’d expect to have been a film student. What happened to film history? Or even the drive of a student to learn everything about his/her trade? For my uninformed assistant director I dedicate this blog. If only she could read it!
An Evening Spent with Vincent Price by Tony Piazza
San Francisco had a film festival during the 1980s and one of its venues was “An Evening with Vincent Price.” Excited at the prospect of getting to see this motion picture legend in person, I wasted no time in purchasing a couple of tickets- one for myself and one for my girlfriend. Following a dinner at a nice San Francisco restaurant, we headed with great excitement to the Palace of Fine Arts and the theatre where the show was to take place. The event featured his talk, followed by a question and answer period, and then a short film which led to the screening of an Edgar Allan Poe movie that he’d made for American International Pictures. On the bill that evening was The Tomb of Ligeia (1964), directed by Roger Corman.
Vincent Price and Debra Paget. The Haunted Palace (1963).
Before the start of his talk he came out into he audience and personally greeted some of the crowd. I was surprised at how tall he was- well over six feet- and even before he spoke in his well-cultured voice, his presence commanded attention. He was very personable and instantly you could tell that the crowd loved him.
Roger Corman’s mighty three: Karloff, Lorre, and Price.
The program began a little late because of the number of people that wanted to press his hand, but after taking a seat he took us on a journey through his incredible career- stage, radio, films, and television with anecdotes regarding other actors along the way. He also shared stories concerning his love of art and cooking; Mr. Price was indeed a very educated, cultured, talented, well rounded individual (besides the fine actor that we have all seen up on the screen) and that all came across from his presence that evening on the stage.
Although I cannot remember everything that was said that night, the one comment he made that comes back to me when watching present day horror film entries is this: Mr. Price felt that films today reveal too much… that some things are better left to the imagination- that they are much more effective that way. I agree.
After finishing his talk he opened the floor for questions, and then introduced the “short” for the evening. It was a film made by an up and coming film student whom Mr. Price said we would be hearing a lot about in the years to come. The film was “Vincent”- a stop frame animation tribute to Mr. Price (which he did the narration) and its’ creator was Tim Burton!
Director Tim Burton. Vincent was his tribute to Price.
After the “short”, the film was run to the enjoyment of us all, and then the program ended.
It was a wonderful experience sharing the evening with such a talented man- and looking back, even more so, since he is a personality which we will never see the likes of again.
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Tony Piazza is author of the 1930s Hollywood murder mystery novel, “Anything Short of Murder,” which had its roots on the TCM fan website. His second novel, “The Curse of the Crimson Dragon” was next released early 2012, and in July of 2013, his latest Tom Logan Mystery, “A Murder Amongst Angels” was published and is available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble websites. A new Tom Logan novel has been completed and is scheduled to be released in 2015. He was an actor/extra during the 1970s and worked with such legends as Steve McQueen, Paul Newman, and Karl Malden. His non-fiction e-book “Bullitt Points” is an in depth look at the making of “Bullitt” from a person who was there. Look for it on Amazon and Barnes and Noble websites, or at the link posted below. All profits go to the Boys Republic charity: www.bullittpoints.com.
Tony Piazza is a member of three prestigious writer’s organizations: Sisters in Crime, Mystery Writers of America, and the SLO NightWriters.
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Case in point around the comment that today’s horror movies reveal too much. My guess is that it is prompted by the sheer magic creative people can achieve by the special effects software that has emerged. It’s just too tempting not to create what the imagination is supposed to fill in. It grabs audiences, but diminishes the art form.
Second, I do remember a horror movie of sorts that was black and white and killed the drama and the effect at the last. It was called “The Thing.” We were all terrified watching it until the end when they showed The Thing.
It was laughable. I remember saying, “We were all terrified of that?” Huge letdown. Talk about blowing the climax, big time!
Hi Neal, yes I agree. I’d rather see him as Matt Dillon, LOL. Thanks again for commenting.
Aux contraire, mes amis I thought “The Thing From Another World” was a terrific film, and tall as an oak tree Jim Arness was spot on as The Thing. Dates back to about 1954. kid wakes up at night and sees a flying saucer land just over a hill. No one believes him, but as it proceeds many are drawn in. As a kid I was fascinated that it was vegetable, not flesh. Eerie music added to the effect. Then it is all a dream, the kid is scared etc. But then……oh my….. check it out, on DVD.
Hi James,
Confused. “The Thing From Another World” takes place in the Arctic. The film with the boy was “Invaders from Mars”. That one really gave me nightmares…especially because I had an uncle who lived at the end of a road, and there was a barbed-wire fence just like the one in the film. I enjoyed the original. The re-make was OK, but not as good. Thanks for commenting. Tony
Great article. Thanks for writing it and posting it with all those great photos. I heard Vincent Price’s inimitable voice throughout!
Hi Mike,
Thank you for commenting. Yes, who could narrate an Edgar Allan Poe story as well as Vincent Price! great voice.
Best,
Tony
I think my favorite Price film wasn’t a horror film at all but one in which he had a supporting role: Laura. I often watch my DVD of this noir classic, if only for the great dialogue and the stunning Gene Tierney. But everyone in the film, including Vincent, was perfectly cast.
Paul, you brought out a good point. Vincent Price has played a number of non-horror roles in which he gave marvelous performances, but it seems that he, along with Boris Karloff and Peter Lorre (thanks to Roger Corman) have forever gotten the tag of horror star connected with their names. Incidentally, Price was also “The Saint” on radio.
Awesome post! I never get tired of watching his movies, even after all of these years.
Neither do I, CP. I can watch the Raven over and over again, and catch something new in his performance…whether comedy or drama, he never fails to entertain.
Thanks for this, Tony. I loved those old horror movies. Vincent Price was a wonderful actor and could certainly put chills up and down my back. Still like horror movies–but not the slasher kind–and there aren’t many good ones anymore.
Appreciate the comment, Marilyn. As I mentioned in the blog, Mr. Price also was not keen on slasher films- he said, “too much was being put up on the screen and little left for the imagination”. I’m in agreement with you both. Shadows, eerie music, sounds, and a scream off screen is much more entertaining than all the unnecessary graphic violence in films and television today.