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The Comedy of Terrors

  • 1963
  • Not Rated
  • 1h 24m
IMDb RATING
6.6/10
6.4K
YOUR RATING
Peter Lorre, Boris Karloff, Vincent Price, Basil Rathbone, Joe E. Brown, and Joyce Jameson in The Comedy of Terrors (1963)
Dishonest undertaker Waldo Trumbull and his sidekick Felix Gillie are creating their own customers when they cannot find willing ones.
Play trailer2:30
1 Video
38 Photos
ComedyHorror

Dishonest undertaker Waldo Trumbull and his sidekick Felix Gillie are creating their own customers when they cannot find willing ones.Dishonest undertaker Waldo Trumbull and his sidekick Felix Gillie are creating their own customers when they cannot find willing ones.Dishonest undertaker Waldo Trumbull and his sidekick Felix Gillie are creating their own customers when they cannot find willing ones.

  • Director
    • Jacques Tourneur
  • Writers
    • Richard Matheson
    • Elsie Lee
  • Stars
    • Vincent Price
    • Peter Lorre
    • Boris Karloff
  • See production, box office & company info
  • IMDb RATING
    6.6/10
    6.4K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Jacques Tourneur
    • Writers
      • Richard Matheson
      • Elsie Lee
    • Stars
      • Vincent Price
      • Peter Lorre
      • Boris Karloff
    • 86User reviews
    • 68Critic reviews
  • See more at IMDbPro
  • Videos1

    Trailer
    Trailer 2:30
    Watch Trailer

    Photos38

    "Comedy of Terrors" Boris Karloff
    Peter Lorre, Boris Karloff, and Vincent Price in The Comedy of Terrors (1963)
    Peter Lorre, Boris Karloff, and Vincent Price in The Comedy of Terrors (1963)
    Joyce Jameson in The Comedy of Terrors (1963)
    Peter Lorre and Beverly Powers in The Comedy of Terrors (1963)
    Beverly Powers in The Comedy of Terrors (1963)
    Joyce Jameson in The Comedy of Terrors (1963)
    Joyce Jameson in The Comedy of Terrors (1963)
    Peter Lorre in The Comedy of Terrors (1963)
    The Comedy of Terrors (1963)
    Basil Rathbone and Orangey in The Comedy of Terrors (1963)
    Peter Lorre, Joyce Jameson, and Orangey in The Comedy of Terrors (1963)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Vincent Price
    Vincent Price
    • Waldo Trumbull
    Peter Lorre
    Peter Lorre
    • Felix Gillie
    Boris Karloff
    Boris Karloff
    • Amos Hinchley
    Joyce Jameson
    Joyce Jameson
    • Amaryllis Trumbull
    Joe E. Brown
    Joe E. Brown
    • Cemetery Keeper
    Beverly Powers
    Beverly Powers
    • Mrs. Phipps
    • (as Beverly Hills)
    Basil Rathbone
    Basil Rathbone
    • Mr. John F. Black
    Alan DeWitt
    • Riggs
    • (as Alan De Witt)
    Buddy Mason
    • Mr. Phipps
    Douglas Williams
    • Doctor
    Linda Rogers
    • Phipps' Maid
    Luree Holmes
    Luree Holmes
    • Black's Servant
    Orangey
    Orangey
    • Cleopatra
    • (as Rhubarb)
    Paul Barselou
    • Riggs
    • (uncredited)
    Harvey Parry
    Harvey Parry
    • Man knocked down on street
    • (uncredited)
    Charles Soldani
    Charles Soldani
    • Mourner
    • (uncredited)
    • Director
      • Jacques Tourneur
    • Writers
      • Richard Matheson(uncredited)
      • Elsie Lee(uncredited)
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Boris Karloff was originally hired to play John F. Black, but it soon became clear that his severe arthritis would not permit him to undertake such a strenuous role. Karloff was switched to the part of Mr. Hinchley, and Basil Rathbone was brought in to play Black.
    • Goofs
      When Mr. Black swings his sword at the three red candles, it is obvious that the candles have been previously cut and stuck back together - they aren't even straight.
    • Quotes

      Felix Gillie: And what if I tell them the truth and say it was all your idea in the first place?

      Waldo Trumbull: Mr. Gillie... Felix... friend... I put it to you, who in your discerning estimation are the police most likely to believe, hm? Mr. W. Trumble, respected local citizen and entrepreneur of death, or Mr. Felix Gillie... wanted fugitive and confessed bank robber?

      Felix Gillie: I never confessed!

      [pause, then]

      Felix Gillie: They just proved it.

    • Connections
      Featured in Hollywood and the Stars: Monsters We've Known and Loved (1964)

    User reviews86

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    7/10
    Mr. Gillie and his employer.
    This film is the comic version of "The Bodysnatcher" or "Mania". It's Burke and Hare with a sense of humor.

    Vincent Price actually made quite a number of film comedies, such as "Champagne for Caesar". He is actually quite good in using his normal menace and meanness for comic affect. He is Mr. Trumbull, the junior partner (but actually the active partner) of a decaying firm of undertakers. Trumbull has no single redeemable characteristic - he's bossy to his father-in-law partner (Karloff), he's bossy to his wife, he mistreats and bullies Lorre (his employee), and he kills his subjects. Still some of his problems are sympathetic ones - his wife Amarylis sings at the funerals (listen to her warble "He is but sleeping" at Rathbone's funeral service - Price looks beatific as she sings, and when asked why he explains he hopes her vocal chords will snap). The number of good one liners in this film (spread among the leads) is nice. Karloff being unable to deliver a coherent funeral address, because he can't recall who is being buried. Rathbone dying, again and again, reciting Macbeth. Joe E. Brown wishing the corpses in his cemetery a pleasant night's sleep. And Lorre constantly making comments regarding his unpleasant boss. One of the best is when, at Rathbone's funeral, Price is enjoying the sight of the large amount of money he's being paid for the funeral of Rathbone (whom he hated as a tightwad and landlord). Lorre, noting the arrival of most of the mourners, goes inside to tell Price, who basically tells him they can just wait. Lorre turns around and leaves, stating quite audibly, "Ungrateful employer." The line is delivered like it comes from some left wing play of the turn of the 20th Century.

    It is a funny little movie, and well worth watching.
    helpful•37
    5
    • theowinthrop
    • Mar 5, 2005

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    Details

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    • Release date
      • January 22, 1964 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • The Graveside Story
    • Filming locations
      • Producers Studios - 5330 Melrose Avenue, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA
    • Production company
      • Alta Vista Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

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    • Runtime
      1 hour 24 minutes
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.35 : 1

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    Peter Lorre, Boris Karloff, Vincent Price, Basil Rathbone, Joe E. Brown, and Joyce Jameson in The Comedy of Terrors (1963)
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