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Tales of Terror

  • 1962
  • Approved
  • 1h 29m
IMDb RATING
6.8/10
8.8K
YOUR RATING
Peter Lorre, Vincent Price, Basil Rathbone, and Debra Paget in Tales of Terror (1962)
Home Video Trailer from MGM
Play trailer2:19
1 Video
99+ Photos
ComedyHorrorMysteryThriller

Three tales of terror involve a grieving widower and the daughter he abandoned; a drunkard and his wife's black cat; and a hypnotist who prolongs the moment of a man's death.Three tales of terror involve a grieving widower and the daughter he abandoned; a drunkard and his wife's black cat; and a hypnotist who prolongs the moment of a man's death.Three tales of terror involve a grieving widower and the daughter he abandoned; a drunkard and his wife's black cat; and a hypnotist who prolongs the moment of a man's death.

  • Director
    • Roger Corman
  • Writers
    • Richard Matheson
    • Edgar Allan Poe
  • Stars
    • Vincent Price
    • Maggie Pierce
    • Leona Gage
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    6.8/10
    8.8K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Roger Corman
    • Writers
      • Richard Matheson
      • Edgar Allan Poe
    • Stars
      • Vincent Price
      • Maggie Pierce
      • Leona Gage
    • 89User reviews
    • 79Critic reviews
    • 68Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 2 nominations total

    Videos1

    Tales of Terror
    Trailer 2:19
    Tales of Terror

    Photos130

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    Top cast21

    Edit
    Vincent Price
    Vincent Price
    • Locke…
    Maggie Pierce
    Maggie Pierce
    • Lenora (segment "Morella")
    Leona Gage
    Leona Gage
    • Morella (segment "Morella")
    Peter Lorre
    Peter Lorre
    • Montresor (segment "The Black Cat")
    Joyce Jameson
    Joyce Jameson
    • Annabel (segment "The Black Cat")
    Basil Rathbone
    Basil Rathbone
    • Carmichael (segment "The Case of M. Valdemar")
    Debra Paget
    Debra Paget
    • Helene (segment "The Case of M. Valdemar")
    David Frankham
    David Frankham
    • Dr. James (segment "The Case of M. Valdemar")
    Lennie Weinrib
    Lennie Weinrib
    • Policeman (segment "The Black Cat")
    Wally Campo
    Wally Campo
    • Barman Wilkins (segment "The Black Cat")
    Alan DeWitt
    • Chairman of Wine Society (segment "The Black Cat")
    • (as Alan DeWit)
    John Hackett
    • Policeman (segment "The Black Cat")
    Edmund Cobb
    Edmund Cobb
    • Driver (segment "Morella")
    • (as Ed Cobb)
    Scott Brown
    • Servant (segment "The Case of M. Valdemar")
    Benjie Bancroft
    • Wine Society Member (segment "The Black Cat")
    • (uncredited)
    Paul Bradley
    Paul Bradley
    • Wine Society Member (segment "The Black Cat")
    • (uncredited)
    Kenneth Gibson
    • Wine Society Member (segment "The Black Cat")
    • (uncredited)
    Kenner G. Kemp
    Kenner G. Kemp
    • Wine Society Member (segment "The Black Cat")
    • (uncredited)
    • Director
      • Roger Corman
    • Writers
      • Richard Matheson
      • Edgar Allan Poe
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The "Black Cat" segment was recycled for "The Comedy of Terrors (1963)" (even the presence of a meddlesome cat). Many of the same actors appear in both films, only here Peter Lorre plays the drunk married to devoted Joyce Jameson, with Vincent Price introduced as the third member of the triangle; in "Comedy of Terrors" Price and Lorre exchange roles, and Jameson essentially repeats her performance. Not only that, but Price's line "What place is this?" from the "M. Valdemar" segment of "Tales of Terror" is recycled as a running gag for Basil Rathbone in "Comedy of Terrors".
    • Goofs
      When Morella takes control of Lenora's body, as Vincent Price walks up the last time before the reveal, you can see a red backstage light in the "window."
    • Quotes

      Montresor Herringbone: Haven't I convinced you of my sincerity yet? I'm genuinely dedicated to your destruction.

    • Alternate versions
      The shots of Valdemar 'liquefying' over Carmichael were originally cut from the UK cinema print and later restored for video.
    • Connections
      Featured in Nightwatch Presents Edgar Allan Poe: Tales of Terror (1973)

    User reviews89

    Featured review
    7/10

    Corman, Poe, Price, and Matheson

    Fine Roger Corman horror anthology with a trio of Edgar Allan Poe tales adapted to screen by Richard Matheson, each starring Vincent Price.

    "Morella" - Lenora (Maggie Pierce) returns home after years abroad to live with her father (Vincent Price) in his decrepit mansion. Price blames Lenora for killing her mother Morella. He keeps Morella's mummified body on a bed in the house. One night, Morella's spirit returns looking for revenge. Probably the weakest of the three stories. It's got familiar elements from many of the Corman/Price Poe films. A dilapidated old house, an obsessively grieving Price, possession, fiery climax. It also has several plot holes and a lack of clear focus. Still, the elements mentioned, though familiar, do entertain.

    "The Black Cat" - Drunkard Montressor Herringbone (Peter Lorre) befriends Fortunato Lucrezi (Vincent Price) over their love of wine and soon discovers Fortunato is having an affair with Herringbone's wife (Joyce Jameson). He takes his revenge on the two with unintended consequences. This is a lighter story with a fun performance from Lorre. Always nice to see blonde beauty Joyce Jameson as well.

    "The Case of M. Valdemar" - Dying M. Valdemar (Vincent Price) uses the treatment of a hypnotist named Carmichael (Basil Rathbone) to alleviate his pain and suffering. Against the wishes of his doctor (David Frankham) and his wife (Debra Paget), Valdemar agrees to a last request from Carmichael. Carmichael wishes to put Valdemar in a trance on his deathbed. He is successful in this but holds Price's soul in a state between living and dead, hoping to force Valdemar's beautiful wife to marry him. This was my favorite of the stories. Creepy sound effects, nice makeup effects, and memorable ending. Rathbone is terrifically evil and anything with Debra Paget in it is automatically worth seeing.

    This is fun movie with some nice horror stories. If you're a fan of Price or Corman or anyone else involved, you'll love it I'm sure.
    • utgard14
    • Dec 23, 2013
    • Permalink

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • December 18, 1962 (Italy)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Edgar Allan Poe's Tales of Terror
    • Filming locations
      • Virginia, USA
    • Production company
      • Alta Vista Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $3,270,000
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 29 minutes
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.35 : 1

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