The Comedy of Terrors [Blu-ray]

Director: Jacques Tourneur Jacques Tourneur

Overview

On the verge of bankruptcy, undertaker Vincent Price hits upon a novel method of drumming up business. Together with his cringing assistant Peter Lorre, Price sneaks into the homes of wealthy old men under cover of night and smothers the sleeping occupants to death--then collects a hefty commission when the victims' relatives come calling. At home, Price is continually frustrated in his efforts to poison his senile father-in-law Boris Karloff, who owns the undertaking business. Meanwhile, Price's neglected wife Joyce Jameson takes quite a shine to the shy Lorre. The homicidal undertaker's best-laid schemes go terribly awry when his latest "customer," wealthy Basil Rathbone, doggedly refuses to stay dead. Joe E. Brown has a cameo as a cockney graveyard attendant.

Product Details

Release Date:	08/31/2021
UPC:	0738329254957
Original Release:	1964
Rating:	NR
Source:	Kl Studio Classics
Language:	English
Time:	1:23:00
Sales rank:	4,153

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

Vincent Price	Waldo Trumbull
Boris Karloff	Amos Hinchley
Peter Lorre	Felix Gillie
Basil Rathbone	Mr. John F. Black
Joyce Jameson	Amaryllis Trumbull
Joe E. Brown	Cemetery Keeper
Buddy Mason	Mr. Phipps
Douglas Williams	Doctor
Linda Rogers	Phipps' Maid
Luree Holmes	Black's Servant
Paul Barselow	Riggs
Beverly Powers	Mrs. Phipps
Alan DeWitt	Riggs
Paul Barselou	Riggs
Charles Soldani	Mourner
Luree Nicholson	Black's Servant
Rhubarb	Cleopatra
Les Baxter	Composer

Technical Credits

Richard Matheson

Jacques Tourneur	Director
Samuel Z. Arkoff	Executive Producer,Producer
Anthony Carras	Producer
James H. Nicholson	Executive Producer,Producer
Jesse Wayne	Stunts
Richard Matheson	Screenwriter
Pat Dinga	Special Effects
Harvey Parry	Stunts
Don Rush	Sound Effects
Kay Rose	Sound Effects
Roger Corman	Producer

Editorial Reviews

Find a horror fan in a titanically silly mood and you have found the perfect audience for The Comedy of Terrors, an over-the-top and often overwrought but amusing and enjoyable little "horroromp." In Comedy, the emphasis is indeed on the comedy and not on the terrors; this is all played for laughs, and sometimes that playing gets mighty broad. But it's a delight to see horrormeisters Vincent Price, Pete Lorre and Boris Karloff, as well as Basil Rathbone, letting their down -- way, way down -- and having a fun time. Karloff's role is tiny, but it's a pleasure to see him tackling a non-scary part. Price and Lorre have the most screen time, and they make the most of it. Price is delicious, and doing basically what he does when playing it straight but giving it just enough of a twist to make it hilarious. Lorre is a perverse little delight, utilizing his unique face and manner to create humor, and Rathbone displays a flair for physical comedy. Jacques Tourneur directs with barely a nod in the direction of subtlety, and that works fine with this material. Richard Matheson's screenplay is broad but quite amusing.

All Movie Guide - Craig Butler