The Haunted Palace (1963)

Charles Dexter Ward arrives at a small village to visit the house he inherited from his ancestor who died there 100 years ago.

Director:

Roger Corman

Writers:

Charles Beaumont (screenplay by), Edgar Allan Poe (from the poem by) (as Edgar Allen Poe)

Stars:

Vincent Price, Debra Paget, Lon Chaney Jr.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Vincent Price	...	Charles Dexter Ward / Joseph Curwen
Debra Paget	...	Ann Ward
Lon Chaney Jr.	...	Simon Orne (as Lon Chaney)
Frank Maxwell	...	Dr. Marinus Willet / Priam Willet
Leo Gordon	...	Edgar Weeden / Ezra Weeden
Elisha Cook Jr.	...	Peter Smith / Micah Smith (as Elisha Cook)
John Dierkes	...	Benjamin West / Jacob West (as John Dierkies)
Milton Parsons	...	Jabez Hutchinson
Cathie Merchant	...	Hester Tillinghast
Guy Wilkerson	...	Gideon Leach / Mr. Leach
I. Stanford Jolley	...	Carmody, Coachman (as Stanford Jolley)
Harry Ellerbe	...	Minister
Barboura Morris	...	Mrs. Weeden
Darlene Lucht	...	Miss Fitch
Bruno VeSota	...	Bruno, the Bartender (as Bruno Ve Sota)

Storyline

Loosely based on H.P. Lovecraft's novel THE CASE OF CHARLES DEXTER WARD, this fright flick opens with a warlock placing a curse on a group of villagers about to burn him at the stake. Generations later, the warlock's descendant returns to the village to pick up where his ancestor left off.

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Plot Keywords:

ancestor | warlock | gothic horror | mansion | castle | 

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Taglines:

A warlock's home is his castle...Forever!

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Genres:

Horror

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

18 March 1965 (Italy)

Also Known As:

Edgar Allan Poe's The Haunted Palace

Filming Locations:

Virginia, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Alta Vista Productions,La Honda Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

87 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Ryder Sound Services)

Color:

Color (Pathécolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Although the American Film Institute Catalog of Feature Films 1961-1970 identifies I. Stanford Jolley as the Boat Captain [sic], IMDb correctly lists him as Carmody, the Coachman; no Boat Captain appears in the film.

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Goofs

The film is billed as "Edgar Allan Poe's The Haunted Palace." While Poe did write "The Haunted Palace," the film is actually based on the story by H.P. Lovecraft, "The Case of Charles Dexter Ward."

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Quotes

Ann Ward: Charles? You ready?
[comes outside to join him on the balcony]
Charles Dexter Ward: I've decided to stay.
Ann Ward: What?
Charles Dexter Ward: Just long enough to fix the place up. With a little work it could bring a good price. Don't you think?
Ann Ward: I should imagine. I don't know.
[disappointed]
Charles Dexter Ward: I estimate two weeks, perhaps three. To get things started, anyway. Do you mind, Ann?
Ann Ward: No, not exactly. But I can't say it pleases me.
Charles Dexter Ward: Well, then you go home!
[...]

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Connections

Edited into The Unauthorized Hagiography of Vincent Price (2014)

User Reviews

Wonderful Gothic horror.

In 1765,evil warlock Joseph Curwen(Vincent Price)is lynched by the villagers and burnt alive for performing sorcery and for abducting some of the local women.Before he perishes,he puts a curse on the inhabitants of Arkham and their offspring.One hundred and ten years later,his kind descendant Charles Dexter Ward(Price again),visits Arkham with his beautiful young wife to claim the inheritance of Curwen's castle.The spirit of Curwen begins to possess him".The Haunted Palace" is actually based on H.P.Lovecraft's story.The film relies heavily on Gothic atmosphere with plenty of fantastic,cobwebby and shadowy sets.Price is amazing in the dual role and Curwen is one of his most despicable characters.The film offers some creepy scenes and is simply great.Give it a look.9 out of 10.