In a Nutshell. Mini reviews of movies old and new. No fuss. No spoilers. And often no sleep.

Thursday 26 March 2015

The Haunted Palace (1963)

It’s billed by the studio as the sixth of Corman’s Poe adaptations, but in truth it’s based on H.P Lovecraft's The Case of Charles Dexter Ward. It’s not completely faithful to the Dexter Ward story, either, but the oppressive, xenophobic, almost squalid atmosphere will be instantly recognisable to fans of the author, and having a more complete mythology to draw from helps Corman keep everything harmonious. The gothic graveyard scene near the beginning is a highlight, with movement, lighting, music and sets perfectly balanced, creating an eerie, potent unreality that's not wholly without faults, but even those are well-played.

4 wrong combinations out of 5

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