Publishers Weekly - Publisher's Weekly
Talk about a match made in heaven! It would be hard to imagine more fitting narrators for Poe's classic horror tales than Price and Rathbone, two superb, classically trained actors who became household names starring in movies of suspense and mystery. Poe's work is especially well-suited to audio, and these remastered, archival Caedmon recordings, originally released on phonograph records, showcase the two actors at their finest. Both Price and Rathbone perfectly convey the prototypical Poe narrator trying to come to grips with the horror he has experienced. In "Berenice," Price's voice sounds refined yet deeply troubled as he struggles to explain the insidious, neurotic obsession taking over his life. "The Cask of Amontillado" finds Rathbone chuckling with evil pleasure at the well-planned murder of one who has slighted him. Among the remaining featured tales are "The Tell-Tale Heart," "The Fall of the House of Usher," "The Raven," "Annabel Lee," "The Black Cat" and "The Pit and the Pendulum." This audio is an absolute must for Poe fans, and high school and college students assigned Poe stories for English class will find the literature takes on new meaning with this recording. (Jan.) Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.
Library Journal
Poe, said to be the creator of the American Gothic tale and detective fiction, is well represented in this collection of 20 poems and short stories that was originally produced in 1954. The pieces illustrate several themes for which Poe was well known. For example, he felt that the death of a beautiful woman was the most poetical topic in the world. "The Raven," which made him famous, shows the incantatory or hypnotic quality of his rhythm, especially with Basil Rathbone's reading. Other horror tales included are "The Pit and the Pendulum," "The Black Cat," and "The Fall of the House of Usher." The people in his novels often die and then mysteriously return to life, usually after they have been entombed. In "The Imp of the Perverse," Poe expounds on his theory of humanity that we often do something simply because we should not. The literary world is grateful for his unique vision. Vincent Price and Rathbone, well-known actors, both perform excellently. Any serious collection of horror or detective fiction would not be complete without Poe's works. Highly recommended. Marjorie Lemon, SRCF-Mercer, PA Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.
JUN/JUL 01 - AudioFile
At one time, lovers of Poe had access only to the recordings gathered here if they wanted to hear their favorite demon read aloud. The recordings have since fallen into near oblivion, as the rise of audiobooks replaced them with fresher interpretations. Their reappearance is most welcome, for these are superb renderings by the cornball ghoulish Price and filmdom's most famous Sherlock Holmes, Basil Rathbone. Indeed, Rathbone is a revelation. His dry cinematic persona does not prepare one for the richness of his recital of Poe's dark stories and poems. One would expect these two actors, if anybody, would give us definitive orations, which they do. They know this material well--the obscure diction, the subtext, the classical references--and know how to make it chill the listener. It's a romp for them and a delight for us. Y.R. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award. © AudioFile 2001, Portland, Maine
