Vincent Price: The Storyteller

Because, ya know, Vincent Price

Featuring the vocal sylings of Casey Kasem, Conan O'Brian, and VINCENT PRICE.

Yeah, OK. I know it's not Conan. It's Danny Kaye. But still....

Escapes (1986)

"That's the ego of Dick Williams"

Sadly, this will be playing nowhere near me. If it is near you, you should go check it out.

Know why?

More...

(2, 3)

This is Richard Williams. If you want to know anything about animation, this is the guy you turn to.



No, really. He'll teach you what he knows.



Back in the 80s, before the "masterpiece" was completed, there was this documentary. There are six parts and it's well worth it.



Here are over a hundred of those commercials he made, and hated, that paid his bills.



And here is the closest you'll see of the movie he wanted to make. Don't rent it, as you'll get the Miramax version and it's just awful. There's some rough spots here, but it's much stronger when two characters are silent.

Vincent Price Interview from 1982

A wonderful exchange with a great man.

The Vincent Price Collection of Fine Art

Vincent Price is so classy.

An Evening With Vincent Price

Vincent!

Presented without comment.

Monster Mash (1962)

"Monster Mash" is a 1962 novelty song and the best-known song by Bobby "Boris" Pickett. This version is presented by the Groovie Goolies, and I'm not going to admit I watched that religiously every Saturday morning.

Bobby Pickett did several follow-up tunes to this, including (but not limited to) the Monster's Holiday.

The thing that really helps along the "Monster Mash" is Bobby's imitation of Boris Karloff. That's part of why this next track is so great.



That's Boris on an episode of Shindig, a dance show. Sadly, there's no video if it, but here he is doing the Peppermint Twist.



Yesterday, I was going to do a whole thing on the "Monster Mash", but I was distracted by Mad Monster Party. Here's why (poor video):



Finally, I leave you with this: Vincent Price in the difficult-to-watch Monster Club

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EDIT:

@tweetheart4711 reminds me: "The other great version was by the Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band, fronted by the fabulous Viv Stanshall."



That man was the personification of dulcet.

Vincent Price Kills Dirty Scum

Hat tip to Dangerous Minds

Music to Chase The Dragon By

Back before I had access to a VCR I used to tape movies and TV shows on a portable 3M tape recorder. I placed the little microphone by the TV speaker and pressed both play and record at the same time and filled up a cassette tape of lo-fi mono goodness. Later I played back the cassette over and over, my way of enjoying the movies without being able to watch the movies "on demand." I quickly noticed that Movies had a richer sound then TV shows and sitcoms. This was my introduction to sound design.

Which is probably why I'm enjoying this Creative Commons Netlabel project so much.



Ergo Phizmiz has taken Albert Zugsmith's "Confessions of an Opium Eater" and edited and mastered Albert Glasser's film score, along with the movie's sound design and some choice Vincent Price monologues. That's the brilliance of this Chinstrap Music project. Going through the soundscape of public domain films and finding some great movie music. What a great idea.

Be sure to listen to "Opium" for the full bad trip seedy opium den effect.

Vincent Price

I'm sure you noticed Vincent Price a lot during our week of Poe. Well, today is the anniversary of his death, a few days short of Halloween. He was 92.

Vincent was a consummate actor who could not only chew on scenery, but swallowed it whole. I have to respect that. He's got an impressive filmography and I suggest you watch some of his work. So what if it's in black-and-white?

My mom met him once and asked if it would be okay if she gave him a hug.

"Madam, you may do what ever you please," he said.

I should put that on a T-shirt. MY MOM HUGGED VINCENT PRICE.

Plus, he could sing. Oh, what a lovely voice he had.