Home
search
more | tips
IMDb > The Haunted Palace (1963)

The Haunted Palace (1963) More at IMDbPro »

Photos (see all 13 | slideshow)

Overview

User Rating:
6.6/10   1,282 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Up 36% in popularity this week. See rank & trends on IMDbPro.
Director:
Roger Corman
Writers:
H.P. Lovecraft (story)
Charles Beaumont (writer)
more
Contact:
View company contact information for The Haunted Palace on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
28 August 1963 (USA) more
Genre:
Horror more
Tagline:
A warlock's home is his castle...Forever! more
Plot:
Charles Dexter Ward arrives at a small village to visit the house he inherited from his ancestor who died there 100 years ago. full summary | full synopsis
Plot Keywords:
more
NewsDesk:
Weekly Body Count by Bryan White
 (From SoundOnSight. 27 May 2009, 1:31 PM, PDT)

User Comments:
Absolutely wonderful more

Cast

  (Credited cast)

Vincent Price ... Charles Dexter Ward / Joseph Curwen
Debra Paget ... Ann Ward

Lon Chaney Jr. ... Simon Orne (as Lon Chaney)
Frank Maxwell ... Dr. Willet / Priam Willet
Leo Gordon ... Edgar Weeden / Ezra Weeden
Elisha Cook Jr. ... Gideon Smith / Micah Smith (as Elisha Cook)
John Dierkes ... Benjamin West / Mr. 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)
more
Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

Also Known As:
Edgar Allan Poe's The Haunted Palace (USA) (promotional title)
The Case of Charles Dexter Ward (USA) (original script title)
The Haunted Village
more
Runtime:
87 min
Country:
USA
Language:
English
Colour:
Colour (Pathécolor)
Aspect Ratio:
2.35 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Mono (Ryder Sound Services)
Certification:
Norway:16 | UK:18 (Video rating) | UK:X (theatrical rating) (cut) | Netherlands:16 (DVD rating) | Argentina:13 | Sweden:15 | USA:Approved (PCA #20528)

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
Roger Corman decided to do an H.P. Lovecraft story as a break from his Edgar Allan Poe series while keeping the elements that made it successful. American-International took no chances. It gave the film a "Poe" title and marketed it as another in the series. more
Goofs:
Factual errors: The film is billed as "Edgar Allen 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." more
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!
[...]
more
Movie Connections:
Featured in Madhouse (1974) more

FAQ

Who are the five men that Joseph Curwen originally cursed when they burned him at the stake?
Is it possible to read "The Case of Charles Dexter Ward" online?
What was the creature living under the palace?
more
11 out of 13 people found the following comment useful:-
Absolutely wonderful, 3 March 2005
9/10
Author: The_Void from Beverley Hills, England

Roger Corman's 'Poe' series is one of the all time highlights of cinema. With low budgets, great stories and Vincent Price; Corman has created a legacy that is hard to react to with anything but admiration, and it's certainly a style of film-making that will never be utilised again. This film is, actually, not based on a story by Edgar Allen Poe; but one by the almost equally excellent HP Lovecraft. You will notice Poe's name on the posters, but that's nothing more than a ploy by American International to ensure that people went to see it. However, whoever wrote it is inconsequential, because it's incredible whatever. From the moment it begins, with an incredibly malevolent Vincent Price being burned for witchcraft shortly after putting a curse on the village of Arkham in one of the man's finest monologues ever; this film grabs you doesn't let go until the words 'The End' appear on your screen. The subject of witchcraft and burning witches has, and will always be absolutely fascinating and this film capitalises on that. Adding to the intrigue is some otherworldly creatures in the basement that Price feeds young women to, and a village full of deformed residents! Lovecraft's Necronomicon joins the party as well...

I don't know how much American International paid Vincent Price for making this and other Corman films, but whatever it was, it wasn't enough. Price holds the viewer's attention like no other actor has ever, and probably will ever do again. He handles his dual role fantastically, and switches between the darkly macabre and an innocent naivety at the drop of a hat. Also joining in the fun is fellow horror legend, Lon Chaney; who puts in a delightful performance and provides most of the scares! Corman does an absolutely fantastic job of building atmosphere in this movie, and the village of Arkham is constantly foreboding and intriguing. The use of smoke is right on cue; as is the music, which is massively over the top; but very, very effective. The problem with many horror films is that in spite of being excellent, they're often not very frightening; but there's one sequence in this film that sees a bunch of deformed villagers surround Price and his wife that is positively nightmare inducing! I have nothing but respect and admiration for this picture as it is an immense achievement in Corman's Poe cycle, and don't let the fact that it's not a Poe story put you off - if you're a fan of Price, Corman or just low budget atmospheric horror in general, see this film NOW!

Was the above comment useful to you?
more

Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for The Haunted Palace (1963)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
DVD release p-rohal
Under rated ddschneider1972
Soundtrack Question Chuthlu
Minority opinion eddiekluber
What poem ? BlindEagle1981
Vincent Price carlin4737
more

Recommendations

If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
- - - - -
Tales of Terror Waxwork II: Lost in Time The Haunting The City of the Dead Frankenstein
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
Show more recommendations

Related Links

Full cast and crew Company credits External reviews
News articles IMDb Horror section IMDb USA section
Add this title to MyMovies

You may report errors and omissions on this page to the IMDb database managers. They will be examined and if approved will be included in a future update. Clicking the 'Update' button will take you through a step-by-step process.