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Vincent Price: The Art of Fear
Vincent Price, whose name is virtually synonymous with the American horror film, was a major screen presence for more than four decades. His early films include such film noir classics as Laura and Leave Her to Heaven, but it was the release of House of Wax in 1953 that established the actor as the silky-voiced master of menace. The late 50s saw Price starring in William Castle’s extraordinary cycle of gimmick-driven films, including The Tingler, with cinema seats wired to simulate the movie monster’s electrical attacks. In the 60s, Price excelled in leading roles in Roger Corman’s The Fall of the House of Usher and The Pit and the Pendulum ?mysterious, almost meditative films based on the work of Poe. Among his later career highlights are The Abominable Dr. Phibes, Theater of Blood, and Edward Scissorhands. Now, in this judicious, well-illustrated survey, Denis Meikle looks at both the highs and lows of an enduring film career.
192 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2003
113 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
June 14, 2011
For a book about Vincent Price movies, the author doesn't seem to like them very much. Maybe that's just his way of keeping his critical faculties engaged and not just turning the whole book into a litany of "Vincent Price is awesome!" Which, after all, anyone reading the book probably doesn't need to be told.
At any rate, it's a pretty great, very attractive, and fairly exhaustive book on the subject, full of lots of behind-the-scenes information on the movies to which I was not previously privy. Plus, there's a really nice foreword by Richard Matheson and each section is highlighted by an illustration by Neil Vokes.
At any rate, it's a pretty great, very attractive, and fairly exhaustive book on the subject, full of lots of behind-the-scenes information on the movies to which I was not previously privy. Plus, there's a really nice foreword by Richard Matheson and each section is highlighted by an illustration by Neil Vokes.
September 13, 2012
So...while I was browsing through the library's online catalog in search of Vincent Price films to watch for my R.I.P. Screening entries (VP mini-marathon), I came across the book Vincent Price: The Art of Fear by Denis Meikle. Meikle has put together an exhaustive chronicle featuring all of Price's work in the horror/thriller field from his work in The Invisible Man Returns and the Tower of London in 1939 to his final appearance in Edward Scissorhands (1989). Price began his career as handsome character actor and sometimes leading man, but soon found himself playing sympathetic villains in the horror movies that were becoming popular. He took center stage at a time before special effects and the proliferation of blood and gore became the driving force of the genre--a time when skillful acting was primary and lighting, setting, and atmosphere were the supports.
Meikle's book contains plenty of anecdotes and background information--lots of interesting details for the Vincent Price fan. He also incorporates insightful comments from collaborators like Roger Corman and Richard Matheson. There are scores of pictures--many rare and previously unpublished stills. Given all that, this book should be a delight for Price and horror fans alike. However, much as I enjoyed learning about Price's films, I get the feeling that Meikle doesn't like Price's work much. Very few of the films earn any sort of praise, many of them are praised with faint damns, and only a couple merit any sort of real praise at all. Meikle seems to take great exception the campy, over-the-top nature of so many of the horror films (and those of the 50s in particular). He doesn't seem to understand 1) the time period in which those films were made or 2) that the campy thrills and chills are part of the appeal for those of us who look back on these movies. And, yet, one of the films that receives a great deal of attention and praise is Theatre of Blood--a most over-the-top performance indeed. How much more over the top can one get than a Shakespearean actor overplaying the lines while murdering his "enemies" according to Shakespeare's plays?
I recommend the book for the facts, anecdotes, rarely seen pictures, and the commentary from Corman and Matheson. I suggest that Meikle's point of view be taken with a grain of salt. Three stars.
This review was first posted on my blog My Reader's Block. Please request permission before reposting. Thanks.
Meikle's book contains plenty of anecdotes and background information--lots of interesting details for the Vincent Price fan. He also incorporates insightful comments from collaborators like Roger Corman and Richard Matheson. There are scores of pictures--many rare and previously unpublished stills. Given all that, this book should be a delight for Price and horror fans alike. However, much as I enjoyed learning about Price's films, I get the feeling that Meikle doesn't like Price's work much. Very few of the films earn any sort of praise, many of them are praised with faint damns, and only a couple merit any sort of real praise at all. Meikle seems to take great exception the campy, over-the-top nature of so many of the horror films (and those of the 50s in particular). He doesn't seem to understand 1) the time period in which those films were made or 2) that the campy thrills and chills are part of the appeal for those of us who look back on these movies. And, yet, one of the films that receives a great deal of attention and praise is Theatre of Blood--a most over-the-top performance indeed. How much more over the top can one get than a Shakespearean actor overplaying the lines while murdering his "enemies" according to Shakespeare's plays?
I recommend the book for the facts, anecdotes, rarely seen pictures, and the commentary from Corman and Matheson. I suggest that Meikle's point of view be taken with a grain of salt. Three stars.
This review was first posted on my blog My Reader's Block. Please request permission before reposting. Thanks.
July 25, 2015
Surprisingly, there are not many books written about actor Vincent Price, one the greatest horror actors in history. After doing a search at a local library, I found this one, which reminds me of a text book style writing with great photos.
The author has done research in the book, which is basically an encyclopedia of his movies with the facts and dates and the plot lines of the movies. However, that is about it. There are a few small sections that talk about his life, but only in a Wikipedia type format (for example this year he started working for Sears for their art collection). The one annoying thing about the book is when the author tries to give a review of the movies, they almost all seem bad. He calls Price's acting in some robotic and the story is unrealistic. Then why do a book on him? The author does praise him for his last few films, but this book is more of facts than getting to know who Price was (for that, check out the book Price's daughter wrote which is great and even mentions that Price took some of the movies because he understand the humor in the films and thought humor and horror were connected). If you want a book that is a chronological feel to his horror films (Price did act in plays on stage and had a love for Shakespeare, which is not really discussed- this is about the horror films), this is a great book for that. If you are looking something that digs into more of who he was as a person, this is not the book.
The author has done research in the book, which is basically an encyclopedia of his movies with the facts and dates and the plot lines of the movies. However, that is about it. There are a few small sections that talk about his life, but only in a Wikipedia type format (for example this year he started working for Sears for their art collection). The one annoying thing about the book is when the author tries to give a review of the movies, they almost all seem bad. He calls Price's acting in some robotic and the story is unrealistic. Then why do a book on him? The author does praise him for his last few films, but this book is more of facts than getting to know who Price was (for that, check out the book Price's daughter wrote which is great and even mentions that Price took some of the movies because he understand the humor in the films and thought humor and horror were connected). If you want a book that is a chronological feel to his horror films (Price did act in plays on stage and had a love for Shakespeare, which is not really discussed- this is about the horror films), this is a great book for that. If you are looking something that digs into more of who he was as a person, this is not the book.
March 5, 2015
I'll give it two stars because it's a book about Vincent Price and has some lovely pictures, but geeeeeze. If you don't enjoy the films that Price appeared in, why would you write an entire book about them? So you can complain for 200 pages? If you're a fan of Price, you know what to expect going into one of his films. Just sit back, relax, and have fun watching it! Not everything has to be an astounding work of art.
December 8, 2016
The book is marred by a gay and bitchy tone and lots of snide remarks that detract from the information presented. Just one example: when the author mentions the birth of VIncent Price's daughter at a time when the quality of the AIG movies he was making were going downhill, the author makes a bitchy little comment about how it's a good thing Price didn't have more children. ????
November 27, 2021
Subtitle: The Art of Fear
Vincent Price is arguably the biggest horror icon of the 1960s and 70s. Though cases could be made for Christopher Lee and Peter Cushing of the Hammer studios’ horror films, Price was a bigger star in the U.S. and his popularity in Great Britain wasn’t that far behind the other two. This book provides a little biographical detail about Price’s live, but focuses much more intensely on his horror films.
I’ve always had a soft spot for Vincent Price ever since I found out he is a fellow Missourian, the son of a well-to-do St. Louis candy manufacturer. He was a stage actor before heading to Hollywood, where he was considered a handsome leading-man type, but never got a breakout role and bounced from studio to studio as a contract player. Price was in his 40s when his breakthrough finally came in the form of 1953’s The Fly. Work was far from steady for Price until American International Pictures hired him to star in House of Usher, the first of many productions by AIP based on the works of Edgar Allen Poe. In the 1960s Poe, Price, writer Richard Matheson, and director Roger Corman were linked together by these films and remain so to this day.
Poe only had so many ideas that were suitable for screen adaptations, so by the early 1970s Price was jumping from picture to picture, often working for less than reputable directors and studios while supplementing his income with television appearances and a part-time job purchasing artwork for Sears to sell to its customers. A few of his early 70s films were outstanding, while many others were formulaic and covered the same ground as his early Poe-based movies.
I gave Vincent Price: The Art of Fear five stars on Goodreads. While I had seen some of his 1960s movies, by the time I was a teenager in the 1970s he was seen as more of a camp style actor. I enjoyed reading about the many ‘serious’ horror films he appeared in, as well as hearing his contemporaries tell stories about what he was like as a real person.
Vincent Price is arguably the biggest horror icon of the 1960s and 70s. Though cases could be made for Christopher Lee and Peter Cushing of the Hammer studios’ horror films, Price was a bigger star in the U.S. and his popularity in Great Britain wasn’t that far behind the other two. This book provides a little biographical detail about Price’s live, but focuses much more intensely on his horror films.
I’ve always had a soft spot for Vincent Price ever since I found out he is a fellow Missourian, the son of a well-to-do St. Louis candy manufacturer. He was a stage actor before heading to Hollywood, where he was considered a handsome leading-man type, but never got a breakout role and bounced from studio to studio as a contract player. Price was in his 40s when his breakthrough finally came in the form of 1953’s The Fly. Work was far from steady for Price until American International Pictures hired him to star in House of Usher, the first of many productions by AIP based on the works of Edgar Allen Poe. In the 1960s Poe, Price, writer Richard Matheson, and director Roger Corman were linked together by these films and remain so to this day.
Poe only had so many ideas that were suitable for screen adaptations, so by the early 1970s Price was jumping from picture to picture, often working for less than reputable directors and studios while supplementing his income with television appearances and a part-time job purchasing artwork for Sears to sell to its customers. A few of his early 70s films were outstanding, while many others were formulaic and covered the same ground as his early Poe-based movies.
I gave Vincent Price: The Art of Fear five stars on Goodreads. While I had seen some of his 1960s movies, by the time I was a teenager in the 1970s he was seen as more of a camp style actor. I enjoyed reading about the many ‘serious’ horror films he appeared in, as well as hearing his contemporaries tell stories about what he was like as a real person.
February 22, 2022
Vincent Price: The Art Of Fear is a play on Vincet Price the Art of Price in his own words book, the author in this attempts but ultimately fails to Portray Price albeit his career not necessarily biography on the Man, Mr.Price Deserves better, the book is dull and does not make for Adroit reading. It is a filmography and not hagiography that you will be reading, I own a copy and while I am keeping it I sadly could not wait to finish it which was difficult not because of any particular legible prose on the author despite his attempt with big words including his misguided attempt to erroneously attack McCarthy and describe as Authoritarianism which the author contradicts himself in the next page and states the obvious that there were reds in Hollywood and Vincent also made speeches at events sponsored by them whether he knew or not or was duped as most, in another chapter he somehow infuses guerilla warfare into the mix, At times he attacks some of the work of the man and others praising some, a very amateur armchair historian and typical of a film critic or like most who are pseudo-intellectuals. Sadly not the best work on the Man and he deserves better.
August 5, 2019
The pictures are wonderful and a fantastic pairing to the text, which is often times boring and drawn out. The author has clearly done his research and the details are minute, however, the book comes across like a textbook. At times it feels as though the author doesn’t like Vincent Price or his movies, he is overly critical in most cases. I mostly skimmed the book to learn more about Vincent, the personal details or quotes from him are sparse, which is a shame considering he kept a diary. Being the age that I am, I know Vincent from the 13 Ghosts of Scooby Doo, Thriller, and Edward Scissorhands. Sadly not very much is said about Thriller or Edward Scissorhands and there is no mention of his voice work on Scooby Doo. Overall a very well researched book but lacking a lot of personal details about the actor.
December 21, 2023
Vincent Price was always one of the most charismatic horror actors to me. This book sums up all the remarkable stages and unforgettable horror flics. Prince Prospero on what is terror, a horror star is born (Mystery of the Wax Museum), Tower of London, Invisible Man, The Mad Magician, House on Haunted Hill (one of my favorites), The Bat, his Tales of Terror (Poe's adaption of The Masque of the Red Death or The Pit and the Pendulum). Price was the "Merchant of Menace" and in this book you'll see that he lived many lives. Great photos and outstanding movie stills. This is like watching all his horror movies in a single session. The Vincent Price shown here will live on forever in our dreams. What a legendary character. Highly recommended!
January 22, 2022
This is a horror film focused look at Vincent Price’s career with a few biographical details tossed in. What’s odd is the disdain the author seems to have for most of the movies, his disappointment in Price’s career, and the above it all attitude he puts forward to lots of the people mentioned inside (Matheson, Beaumont, Coleman, etc)
It’s not a bad book by any means but it’s hardly a celebration or even examination of “the art or fear” more so a look at certain movies creation and reception.
Keep in mind as well that this is focused on Britain so it’s talk of box office and theatres played is skewed to that market.
It’s not a bad book by any means but it’s hardly a celebration or even examination of “the art or fear” more so a look at certain movies creation and reception.
Keep in mind as well that this is focused on Britain so it’s talk of box office and theatres played is skewed to that market.
February 24, 2023
Three good takeaways from this book:
#1 - Vincent Price had an affair with Tab Hunter in the late 1960's - get it, Tab!
#2 - Price got ZERO royalties from his voiceover work for Michael Jackson's 'Thriller'.
#3 - like a lot of us, Vincent Price had what would now be called 'Imposter Syndrome' - he always felt like he should be taking different acting roles, making different career decisions, was always anxious and second-guessing himself.
This is a fairly exhaustive review of the acting career of Vincent Price.
This book was a difficult read. The author writes tortured run-on sentences. He seemed to prioritize showing off his vocabulary over making his point.
#1 - Vincent Price had an affair with Tab Hunter in the late 1960's - get it, Tab!
#2 - Price got ZERO royalties from his voiceover work for Michael Jackson's 'Thriller'.
#3 - like a lot of us, Vincent Price had what would now be called 'Imposter Syndrome' - he always felt like he should be taking different acting roles, making different career decisions, was always anxious and second-guessing himself.
This is a fairly exhaustive review of the acting career of Vincent Price.
This book was a difficult read. The author writes tortured run-on sentences. He seemed to prioritize showing off his vocabulary over making his point.
May 3, 2022
I gave this book a 4 star rating because of all the information about Vincent Price and his movies. But the author's narrative subtracted from all that. Didn't care for his comments at all. Huge Vincent Price fan. I owe so much to him. Love watching him still.
August 6, 2021
EXCELLENT BOOK ON THE MERCHANT OF MENACE, THE ONE AND ONLY VINCENT PRICE!
January 5, 2008
lots of cool information in here, not just about price, but corman, lorre, legosi, and others.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews