The Masque of the Red Death
After reading Heather Wixson’s incredible article about where you could stream 30 of Roger Corman’s films for free (seriously, are you subscribed to her site?), I was inspired! I thought it would be fun to put together a list of 6 of my favorite films directed by Roger Corman. What I think is really great about Corman is that, due to how prolific he is, if you asked a group of fans their favorites, they’d likely all have different combinations.
I’m a huge fan of Corman’s Poe cycle and the work he did in the 1960s. During this period, he did a lot of work with actors I love, like Vincent Price, Basil Rathbone, Lon Chaney Jr., and more. The films in this part of his career are a bit more campy and less schlocky than some of his later work. You’ll notice me talk about how gorgeous they are. Floyd Crosby did the cinematography for The Haunted Palace, House of Usher, The Raven, and The Pit and the Pendulum, while Nicholas Roeg did The Masque of the Red Death, and Arthur Grant did The Tomb of Ligeia. It’s really hard to go wrong with any of the movies on this list, so let’s get started!
My Go-To Roger Corman Picks
- The Masque of the Red Death (1964)- A European prince terrorizes the local peasantry while using his castle as a refuge against the “Red Death” plague that stalks the land. This is probably my favorite Corman/Price collaboration. Out of the films on this list, it’s the most vibrant and maybe the most campy. It’s also easily one of Vincent Price’s best performances.
- The Haunted Palace (1963)- A warlock burned at the stake comes back and takes over the body of his great-grandson to take his revenge on the descendants of the villages that burned him. If you know me, you know I’m not a huge fan of cosmic horror. This film, however, is the exception to that. It’s got a great score and features one of my favorite character actors, Elisha Cook Jr.
- House of Usher (1960)- Convinced that his family is tainted by generations of evil, Roderick Usher is hellbent on stopping his sister Madeline’s wedding to prevent the cursed Usher bloodline from expanding. When her fiancé Philip Winthrop arrives at the crumbling estate to claim his bride, Roderick goes to ruthless—even deadly—lengths to keep them apart. The Fall of the House of Usher has so many great adaptations, and this is no exception. Vincent Price, with bleached blond colored hair, is also a sight to behold! In all seriousness, though, the film is gorgeous, and the ending blew me away.
- The Pit and the Pendulum (1961)- In the sixteenth century, Francis Barnard travels to Spain to clarify the strange circumstances of his sister’s death after she had married the son of a cruel Spanish Inquisitor. Vincent Price and Barbara Steele in a film together is an automatic win in my book.
The Tomb of Ligeia
- The Tomb of Ligeia (1964)- Verden Fell is shattered after the death of his lovely wife. But after an unexpected encounter with Lady Rowena Trevanion, Fell soon finds himself married again. Nevertheless, his late wife’s spirit seems to hang over the dilapidated abbey that Fell shares with his new bride. Lady Rowena senses that something is amiss and, when she investigates, makes a horrifying discovery – learning that Fell’s dead wife is closer than she ever imagined possible. This film is both beautiful and tragic. In my humble opinion, it’s one of the best collaborations between Corman and Price, right after The Masque of the Red Death.
- The Raven (1963)- A magician who has been turned into a raven turns to a former sorcerer for help. This film is a lot of fun. It’s always a great time when Vincent Price gets to lean into a more comedic role. The chemistry between Peter Lorre and him is a hoot!
Most of these films are streaming for free on Kanopy, Hoopla, or Tubi. The exception is The Raven, which is streaming on The Roku Channel or YouTube (Free with ads). It’s been a sadder world without Roger Corman since his passing in 2024. However, we can still celebrate his impact on the world of horror by celebrating his 100th birthday today. How will you honor this momentous occasion?