BA_Harrison
I doubt very much that Edgar Allen Poe had laughs in mind when he wrote The Raven, but that's what screenwriter Richard Matheson and director Roger Corman aim for with this supernatural comedy that stars three of horror's greatest icons, Vincent Price, Peter Lorre and Boris Karloff.The film opens with a raven tapping at the window of sorcerer Dr. Erasmus Craven (Price), who lets the bird into his chamber and is surprised when the creature begins to talk to him, demanding to be returned to its rightful form. In reality, the bird is magician Dr. Adolphus Bedlo (Lorre), who has been transformed by Dr. Scarabus (Karloff) during a duel of magic. Craven helps to return Bedlo to his human form, and learns from his guest that there is a woman in Scarabus' castle who resembles his dead love Lenore (gorgeous Hammer babe Hazel Court). Believing that Scarabus has Lenore's spirit held captive, Crane and Bedlo travel to Scarabus's Gothic abode, accompanied by Crane's daughter Estelle (Olive Sturgess) and Bedlo's son Rexford (Jack Nicholson).I imagine that if I had seen The Raven as a child, I would hold far more affection for it, the comedy and special effects most likely to impress an undemanding pre-teen. Viewing the film for the very first (and probably last) time as an adult, I cannot help but be extremely disappointed watching three legends of horror indulging in such childish tomfoolery, none of which tickled my funny bone (Peter Lorre with wings for arms: sheesh!). And although the inevitable finalé, a magical showdown between good and evil sorcerers, sounds like a promising idea, the reality is severely underwhelming, the action inhibited by a low budget that only allows for very cheap and unconvincing visual effects.
Rainey Dawn
The Raven (1935) and The Raven (1963) are two completely different movies - one has nothing to do with the other. The Raven (1963) is not a remake of the 1935 film. The ONLY similarities between the two films are: Boris Karloff stars in both films, both are inspired by Poe's poem "The Raven" and both are good classic horror films - that's it! The stories of the two movies are quite different from each other.I forgot just how cute this film is until I watched it again! Quite a funny horror-fantasy film. Where else can we see Price dropping eggs on Karloff's head lol. Three legendary stars Lorre, Price and Karloff and an up and coming Jack Nicholson that show us their humorous side.Yes this is worth watching - if you like a good comedy-horror and fantasy film classic! 8.5/10
utgard14
Perhaps the most popular of the Corman Poe movies. Certainly the funniest. If you're new to the world of Roger Corman's Edgar Allan Poe movies, let me tell you upfront that this is only related to Poe in the loosest sense. They stick a raven and a woman named Lenore in there but beyond that it's a completely new story dreamed up by Richard Matheson. Meek magician Vincent Price is approached for help by a colleague (Peter Lorre) who has been turned into a raven by evil magician Boris Karloff. Once restored to human form, Lorre informs Price that his wife, believed to be dead, is actually alive and living with Karloff. He rushes to Karloff's castle, which is just what the evil magician had hoped for.The cast is excellent and the script tongue-in-cheek. Peter Lorre is especially fun. Jack Nicholson plays Lorre's son. Lovely Hazel Court plays Price's wife Lenore and is clearly enjoying herself. There's a certain degree of cheapness about the production (it was Corman, after all) but it kind of adds to the film's charm. I enjoyed this one a lot. It's one of Corman's best. Fans of his or the stars involved will surely love it.
SanteeFats
This movie is a hoot. It is so funny when Vincent Price and Boris Karloff have their magic duel to the death, but when Price wins he leaves Karloff alive but exhausted of magic. By facial expressions alone during the duel you can see that Price is in control and even contemptuous of Karloff's magical attempts. Now Price's wife, Lenore, having left a substitute body in her tomb went over to Karloff two years ago. She is basically a whore for power. Peter Lorre is one of the three sorcerers but he is the least of the three. Actually pretty pathetic compared to the other two. Jack Nicholson appears in this film as Lorre's son. He evidently has no magical talent but does have chutzpah and helps out Price's daughter. In the end Lorre has been turned back into a raven, goes to Price to become human again. It doesn't happen as Price decides it is a fitting punishment for hem to remain a bird. The last line of the movie is the last line of Poe's poem, quoth the raven nevermore.
AD
