Review of The Haunted Palace

In a nice change of fashion, Roger Corman skips over Poe to tackle some Lovecraft, resulting in a fine, classic horror film. Obviously, the incredible presence of Vincent Price (and Lon Chaney Jr.) plays a factor in that as well. Anyway, the film had the look of the previous Poe features but the story was clearly that of Lovecraft's (The Strange Case of Charles Dexter Ward), with the atmosphere being shared by both writers. The musical theme is menacing and powerful and the movie features several good, frightening scenes, such as when the mutated freaks (the result of unsuccessful experiments) surround Price and his wife in the foggy streets. The ending came a bit suddenly but how can you beat that sly, evil face of Price staring right at you?!