The Raven

10/14/2021

_**The origin of the ‘Sorcerer Supreme’ (no, not Dr. Strange)**_ In 1506, a former sorcerer (Vincent Price) aids a lesser magician who has been turned into a raven (Peter Lorre) by a great wizard (Boris Karloff). When he learns that the ghost of his beloved dead wife (Hazel Court) has been seen at the castle of the great wizard, they venture there to find out, along with the sorcerer’s daughter and magician’s son (Olive Sturgess & Jack Nicholson). Directed by Roger Corman and written by Richard Matheson, “The Raven” (1963) is a horror comedy inspired by Edgar Allen Poe’s poem, spoofing Corman’s Poe flicks that were popular at the time. It’s amusing in the manner of the future “Young Frankenstein” (1974), yet in lush color. The trained raven is effective while the stunning Hazel Co

7/15/2023

Welcome to one of the few negative reviews of this film. There is a fine line between cheesy, campy, crappy horror film, and funny horror film. This falls into the former category. The plot concerns three sorcerers who try to outdo each other after they visit the gothic castle home of one. The plot gives way to humor that makes Adam Sandler at his worst look like Oscar Wilde. So many people find this stuff hilarious, but the lack of laughs makes this painful to watch. Corman did one masterpiece film, "Frankenstein Unbound," but his penchant for no budget and little thought to scripts have resulted in films on the level of Ed Wood. No one dares speak of this, however, because Corman is revered for giving up-and-comers their starts and always making a dime. Anyone can make a dime off a cell