The Raven (1963)

Director:

Roger Corman

Writers:

Edgar Allan Poe (poem)
Richard Matheson (writer)

Release Date:

25 January 1963 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Fantasy | Horror

Tagline:

The supreme adventure in terror!

Plot:

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.

Plot Keywords:

Sorcerer | Magician | Raven | Transmutation | Father Son Relationship

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
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
John Dierkes	...	Roderick Craven (uncredited)

Directed by
Roger Corman

Writing credits (in alphabetical order)
Richard Matheson		writer
Edgar Allan Poe		poem

Produced by
Samuel Z. Arkoff	....	executive producer
Roger Corman	....	producer
James H. Nicholson	....	executive producer

Original Music by
Les Baxter

Cinematography by
Floyd Crosby

Film Editing by
Ronald Sinclair

Production Design by
Daniel Haller

Art Direction by
Daniel Haller

Set Decoration by
Harry Reif

Makeup Department
Ted Coodley	....	makeup artist
Betty Pedretti	....	hair stylist

Production Management
Robert Agnew	....	unit manager
Bartlett A. Carre	....	production supervisor

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Jack Bohrer	....	assistant director

Art Department
Karl Brainard	....	property master
Ross Hahn	....	construction coordinator

Sound Department
John Bury Jr.	....	sound
Gene Corso	....	sound editor

Special Effects by
Pat Dinga	....	special effects

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Marjorie Corso	....	costume supervisor

Music Department
Albert Harris	....	orchestrator
Eve Newman	....	music editor
Al Simms	....	music coordinator
Albert Harris	....	composer: additional music (uncredited)

Other crew
Jack W. Cash	....	production assistant
Moe Di Sesso	....	raven trainer

Production Companies

• Alta Vista Productions

Distributors

• American International Pictures (AIP) (1963) (USA) (theatrical)
• Anglo-Amalgamated Film Distributors (1963) (UK) (theatrical)
• GoodTimes Home Video (2003) (USA) (VHS)
• Image Entertainment (1995) (USA) (video) (laserdisc)
• MGM/UA Home Entertainment (2003) (USA) (DVD) (widesceen)
• MGM/UA Home Entertainment (2003) (USA) (VHS) (widescreen)
• Orion Home Video (????) (USA) (video) (laserdisc)
• Reserva Especial (????) (Brazil) (VHS)
• Roadshow Home Video (????) (Australia) (VHS)
• Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment Germany (????) (Germany) (VHS)
• Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment (2004) (Netherlands) (DVD)
• Warner Home Video (199?) (USA) (VHS) (pan/scan)

Special Effects

• Butler-Glouner (photographic effects)

Other Companies

• National Screen Service  main titles

Also Known As:

Runtime:

86 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Pathécolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

UK:PG (video rating) (2003) | UK:X (original rating) | Argentina:Atp | Australia:PG | Finland:K-16 | Sweden:15 | USA:G (1980) | Netherlands:12 | USA:Approved (PCA #20400)

Company:

Alta Vista Productions

Trivia:

Jack Nicholson always gave high praise to everyone he worked with on the set, except one - the Raven. He said the Raven pooped on everyone, but especially liked to poop on him; he later said: "I would look down when the Raven flew off my shoulder, and it would be covered in poop....I hated that bird."

Goofs:

Crew or equipment visible: A thin string can be seen tied to the raven's leg when he first flies across the room, and when he is perched on the chair.

Quotes:

[last lines]
Dr. Bedloe:[as the raven] Erasamus, now that Dr. Scarabus is out of the way we've got to make immediate plans for your assumption of the grand mastership. I'll glady act as your liaison so, so you won't be bothered having to present your case personally to the brotherhood. Later on I'll be happy to assume the post of super numeri secretary dispencer.
Dr. Craven:Dr. Bedloe.
Dr. Bedloe:[as the raven] Yes?
Dr. Craven:Do you really think such treachery can be so easily forgiven and forgotten?
Dr. Bedloe:[as the raven] Treachery! I saved all your lives!
Dr. Craven:After having put them in jeopardy in the first place.
Dr. Bedloe:[as the raven] That's beside the point. Very well, if that's the way you feel about it, kindly return me to my rightful form and I'll leave.
Dr. Craven:Well, I'll uh, I'll take it under advisement.
Dr. Bedloe:[as the raven] Take it under advisement? Well really! Who do you think you are talking to anyway?
[...]

Movie Connections:

Featured in "Son of Svengoolie: The Raven (1963) (#1.130)" (1982)

If you are expecting Poe.........

Sorry, if you are expecting a movie based on Poe's poem. Other than Vincent Price elucidating one line from the

poem and his wife being named Lenore, any other connections are coincidental. Yet, I'm sure you will find this movie entertaining and funny. An all star cast of Vincent Price,( the kind but powerful

hero), Peter Lorre, (a sniveling, shifty, weasel), and Karloff

at his diabolical best as the evil magician. It is sort of a

D&D version of the Good, Bad & the Ugly. Great special

effects for its time. A young ,soon to be Superstar Jack

Nicholson playing Peter Lorre's noble son does not really

add to the story, but it's fun to see him in his fledging days.