I Bet You Didn't See... The Haunted Palace

The Haunted Palace is not really The Haunted Palace, a poem by Edgar Allen Poe. Made among the series of Poe Adaptations (The Raven 1963, The Masque of the Red Death 1964), The Haunted Palace is actually an adaptation of H.P. Lovecraft’s short story The Case of Charles Dexter Ward (1941). Because the studio American International Pictures (AIP) were known for their Poe adaptations, the producers didn’t want to put people off by trying to sell a title that didn’t fit with the trend. Lovecraft’s works were growing more and more in the public domain, particularly in America, but still not well enough to be considered successful enough for film. The Haunted Palace story was incorporated into the later adaptation The Fall of the House of Usher.

Curwen is burned for his crimes

The film starts with Joseph Curwen (Vincent Price) and his mistress taking a young girl into the dungeons of their house in the village of Arkham. Here we are shown an unknown creature distorted from our view, below them. Meanwhile, a mob led by Ezra Weeden (Leo Gordon), arrives at the house to take matters into their own hands as the feel they have been plagued by Curwen long enough. Burned at a tree, Curwen curses the town.

Ann (Paget) and Charles (Price)

Flash forward one hundred and ten years and a descendant of Curwen’s, Charles Dexter Ward (Price) arrives with his wife (Debra Paget) to take over the mansion. Unwelcomed by the town, of whom all are descendants of the townsfolk who burned Curwen, Ward and his wife head to the house with the help of Dr Willet (Frank Maxwell). He tells them the story of the town, and throughout the film he divulges them in the true horrors of Curwen’s supposed activities and death. Gradually, we see Ward get possessed by the spirit of Curwen and revisiting the experiments of the past.

Curwen's portrait dominates Ward's mind

The make up department did a fantastic job keeping us on track with when Curwen takes over Ward’s body and when Ward returns. Price is, of course, wonderfully evil and fearful in both roles. He was always one for being able to fall into madness and anguish almost naturally and this is a great example of that. As he yo-yo's between Ward and Curwen, being internally pulled from one to the other, he doesn't ham it up like some would expect in a B-movie masterpiece. He brings a true elegance and some real class to the role, living that internal battle of Curwen's frustration and Ward's confusion.

Leo Gordon (left) as Ezra Weedon

If you are a Lovecraft fan, this isn’t a bad version of the story. Simon Orne (Lon Chaney Jr) along with Jabez Hutchinson (Milton Parsons). The family aspect of the film has changed, and they have included aspects of “The Innsmouth Look” which I thought was a classy and niche touch. The way it is written doesn't make you mind the variations made. They are done to fit the tone of the film and the needs of the story, but there are some small but class additions in there. If you are in it just for Poe, you might be disappointed, but I encourage you to watched it anyway.

This is definitely a great watch.

Debra Paget (left) in trouble

The Haunted Palace would turn out to be Debra Paget's last film role after 15 years in the business. After a brief stint in a mid-1960's legal drama for TV, she retired having married a very wealthy oil executive. She would return to host a show on an evangelical TV network for a short time in the 1990's but she now lives quietly out of the limelight at the spritely young age of 92.

What a shot... Vincent Price in his element.

Directed by: Roger Corman

Based on: “The Haunted Palace” by Edgar Allen Poe and “The Case of Charles Dexter Ward” by H.P. Lovecraft

Starring: Vincent Price, Debra Paget, Lon Chaney Jr., Milton Parsons, Leo Gordon, Frank Maxwell

Release Date: 28 August 1963

Rating: 7/10