The Raven (1963)

A magician, who has been turned into a raven, turns to a former sorcerer for help.

Director:

Roger Corman

Writers:

Richard Matheson (screenplay), Edgar Allan Poe (poem)

Stars:

Vincent Price, Peter Lorre, Boris Karloff

1 win.

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
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:

deception | magician | raven | castle | sorcerer | 

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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

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$200,000 (estimated)

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

According to Roger Corman, the hostility between Jack Nicholson and Peter Lorre, as father and son, came from the actors, rather than the script.

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Goofs

At about 29:18 into the movie, Dr. Craven has just knocked out Grimes with a green laser beam from his index finger. Grimes is on his back on the ground with his hands on his head and his shirt up over his chest. The next second, from the next camera angle, Dr. Craven gets up and Grimes' hands are at his sides and his shirt is rearranged back to just above his knees.

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Quotes

[Craven and Bedloe toast each other with wine after Bedloe's complete transformation back to human]
Dr. Bedloe: A little unexpected what happened down there, huh?
Dr. Craven: Yes, it was most unexpected. I-I just don't understand why should my father return from the dead and then tell me to beware... of what?
Dr. Bedloe: I wish I knew, I-I-I-I wish I knew.
[Bedloe mistakenly picks up a glass of milk and drinks]
Dr. Bedloe: Uh, that milk!
Dr. Craven: Oh I am sorry.
Dr. Bedloe: In any case I have to return to the castle of Dr. Scarabus tonight.
Dr. Craven: Oh no, sir, please, I ...
[...]

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Alternate Versions

One version has the climactic wizard duel without the rotoscoped bolts of magic.

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Connections

Featured in Deadly Earnest's Nightmare Theatre: The Raven (1978)

User Reviews

Delightful Duel of Magicians

The magician Dr. Erasmus Craven (Vincent Price), who does not belong to the brotherhood of magicians, grieves the loss of his beloved wife Lenore (Hazel Court) and lives in a castle with his daughter Estelle (Olive Sturgess). One day, a raven knocks on his window and Dr. Craven learns that the bird is actually the magician Dr. Adolphus Bedlo (Peter Lorre) that was turned into a raven after challenging the powerful magician Dr. Scarabus (Boris Karloff) that was an enemy of his father. Dr. Craven makes a potion to turn Dr. Bedlo back to the human form and Dr. Bedlo tells that he has seen Lenore in the castle of Dr. Scarabus. Dr. Craven decides to go in his coach with Dr. Bedlo to visit Dr. Scarabus but Estella and Dr. Bedlo's son Rexford (Jack Nicholson) decide to go with them. They find an amicable Dr. Scarabus that invite them to stay for the night. Was Dr. Craven's father wrong about Dr. Scarabus?

"The Raven" is a delightful movie about ambition, treachery and magic, with a wonderful duel of magicians and lots of humor. The raven is hilarious and it is impressive his training with participation in many scenes. The special effects are simple but impressive for a 1963 movie. The cast is excellent with Vincent Price, Peter Lorre and Boris Karloff and it is curious to see Jack Nicholson in the beginning of his career. My vote is seven.

Title (Brazil): "O Corvo" ("the Raven")