Short Takes

Calling someone a "legend" has been overused to the point of becoming dern near meaningless. Except in respect to the late, great Vincent Price who regally DEFINES the term. Journalist and lifelong-fan David Del Valle's interview with Mr. Price for "The Sinister Image" has been pulled from obscurity, thankfully, after nearly 15 years of never finding its intended home on cable TV. They begin with Vincent's life on the stage, his radio days with Orsen Welles and then on to Hollywood where he'd make those "fantasy" pictures CineSchlockers idolize. House of Wax. The Fly. William Castle's gimmick flicks House on Haunted Hill and The Tingler. The Poe pictures with Roger Corman. And who could forget his looney misadventures as The Abominable Dr. Phibes. Certainly not Vincent. What makes this warm, candid interview memorable is that it captures what fans continue to love about Mr. Price. His sophisticated charm, his sharp wit and that sly twinkle in his eye. Beyond the title program, the disc proves to be a fan's feast with multiple courses. First, is an audio interview by Del Valle at Vincent's home where they go a bit deeper into topics covered in the previous piece (41 mins). Price was quite proud of his television work and two examples are included. ABC's 1965 broadcast "The Weird World of Dr. Goldfoot" featuring the man of the hour and his technicolor go-go gals (29 mins). An entry in the 1958 "Half Hour to Kill" series titled "Freedom to Get Lost" (27 mins). There's also an"Escape" radio program with Price's performance in "Three Skeleton Key" (29 mins). Finally, a fantastic photo gallery boasting more than 200 images with music from The Haunted Palace. That about covers it, but let's let Vincent have the last word, "I think the major thing in a spooky film, or thriller of any kind is logic. You must believe what is happening is happening. Even in something as far out as The Invisible Man. You MUST believe it. Because if you don't, there's no fright. It's what I think is wrong today with some of the fright films. They have no logic at all." Highly Recommended.

1988, 62 minutes, Fullframe, Extras detailed above.