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 | psychotronic film | camp | man tied up | tied to a pole | 

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Taglines:

THE TERROR BEGINS AT MIDNIGHT!

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Genres:

Comedy | Fantasy | Horror

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Certificate:

G

Did You Know?

Trivia

Vincent Price later recalled about the final duel: "Boris hated being strung up in the air on those chairs. He was terribly crippled, and we were both floating in the air on these wires. It wasn't a pleasant feeling, and I hated having that snake wrapped around my neck for two hours. I hate snakes."

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Goofs

When Jack Nicholson's character climbs out of the window to go to Dr. Craven's room, he goes around a corner then a part of the ledge breaks away. Estelle screams as he's stumbling even though she cannot see around the corner.

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Quotes

[Estelle enter her room. Rexford is hiding behind the door and covers her mouth to prevent her from screaming]
Rexford Bedlo: Shhhhhh.
[Estell struggles with a muffled scream]
Rexford Bedlo: I was afraid you would scream.
[he uncovers her mouth and releases his grip on her]
Estelle Craven: Is anything wrong?
Rexford Bedlo: Don't be alarmed but I'm afraid Dr. Scarabus killed my father.
Estelle Craven: Killed him?
Rexford Bedlo: Yes, during the dueling I observed Dr. Scarabus making furtive gestures with his fingers. Now we must speak to your father.
Estelle Craven: But I already have. He trusts Dr. Scarabus.
[...]

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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 Corman's World: Exploits of a Hollywood Rebel (2011)

User Reviews

Pure Magic

This is true magic. You will be shaking but not through horror. The Raven was made to amuse and it does.

The magician's duel may lack 'modern effects' but for their day they were pretty impressive. And the warmth and humour shines out in all the characters.

And yes, Peter Lorre dressed up as a Raven IS hilarious.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

25 January 1963 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Raven

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