The Raven (1963)

A magician who has been turned into a raven turns to a former sorcerer for help in this film loosely based on the Edgar Allen Poe poem.

Director:

Roger Corman

Writers:

Richard Matheson, Edgar Allan Poe (poem)

Stars:

Vincent Price, Peter Lorre, Boris Karloff

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Vincent Price	...	Dr. Erasmus Craven
Peter Lorre	...	Dr. Adolphus Bedlo
Boris Karloff	...	Dr. Scarabus
Hazel Court	...	Lenore Craven
Olive Sturgess	...	Estelle Craven
Jack Nicholson	...	Rexford Bedlo
Connie Wallace	...	Maid
William Baskin	...	Grimes (Craven's servant)
Aaron Saxon	...	Gort

Storyline

In this tongue-in-cheek movie inspired by Poe's poem, Dr. Craven is the son of a great sorcerer (now dead) who was once himself quite skilled at that profession, but has since abandoned it. One evening, a cowardly fool of a magician named Bedlo comes to Craven for help- the evil Scarabus has turned him into a raven and he needs someone to change him back. He also tells the reluctant wizard that Craven's long-lost wife Lenore, whom he loved greatly and thought dead, is living with the despised Scarabus.

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Plot Keywords:

sorcerer | magician | raven | transmutation | father son relationship | 

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Taglines:

Wits and wizardry run a-fowl!

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Genres:

Comedy | Fantasy | Horror

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Certificate:

G

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

25 January 1963 (USA)

Also Known As:

El cuervo

Company Credits

Production Co:

Alta Vista Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

86 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Pathécolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Boris Karloff's first feature film since Corridors of Blood, shot September-October 1962.

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Goofs

The amount of milk in Dr. Craven's glass increases from one shot to another.

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Quotes

Dr. Craven: You'll need something to protect you from the cold.
[Dr. Bedloe reaches for a glass of wine]
Dr. Craven: No, I meant clothes!
Dr. Bedloe: Oh.

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Connections

Version of The Raven (1912)

User Reviews

A good laugh

When I first saw this movies I was shocked by the humor. I was in the mood for a horror flick, and with actors such as Peter Lorre, Vincent Price, and the incomparable Boris Karlof I was sure that I had hit horror gold. However, after the first minute of the movie I quickly realized that this was not a horror film at all, but a wonderful satire of the horror genre.

What makes this movie work so well is that nobody takes themselves too seriously. In fact, you can tell from the outset that everyone in the cast is in on the joke. I would caution those who are expecting a great performance from Jack Nickleson to be prepared to be disappointed. However, it is plainly evident that he is an excellent actor just waiting to happen.

Is this movie perfect, hardly, but it is definitely worth seeing. If for no other reason than to see the climatic head to head dual of magic between Price and Karlof.