Quoth The Raven....

THE RAVEN-1963-This comedy-horror film begins with Vincent Price reciting part of Edgar Allen Poe's “The Raven”. Then we are introduced to Dr. Craven (Price) a sorcerer who longs for his dead love Lenore. After his daughter Estelle (Olive Strugess) brings him some hot milk he is visited by a real life raven who demands some wine. Later using ingredients from his father's lab Craven turns the wise cracking raven into his true form, that of fellow sorcerer Dr. Bedlo (Peter Lorre) who was turned into a bird by the evil Dr. Scarabus, another sorcerer who dethroned Craven's father's position as grand master of the brotherhood of magicians years before. Bedlo wants revenge on Scarabus and wants Craven to help but Craven wants no part of it until Bedlo informs him that his lost love is with Scarabus. 

After fending off an attack by Craven's bewitched servant, Craven, Bedlo, Estelle and Bedlo's son Rexford (Jack Nicholson) go to confront Scarabus (Boris Karloff) who welcomes them with open arms. While dining Bedlo once again challenges Scarabus to a duel and seems to die. They are urged to stay the night and Craven sees Lenore (Hazel Court) at his bedroom window. Of course, it turns out Lenore is not dead but living with Scarabus who's wealth and power made her leave Craven. While Rexford is snooping around the castle, he discovers his father is not dead (it was a trick by Bedlo to deceive Scarabus). Eventually they are all held prisoner by the doctor, however in the finale Craven and Scarabus have an inventive magical duel where Craven defeats Scarabus and rejects Lenore who in turn has rejected Scarabus. 

Shot in 15 days by Roger Corman, it's been said that the inspiration for this feature was the Richard Matheson penned “The Black Cat” segment from the earlier TALES OF TERROR. Corman and Matheson liked doing the comedy scenes and thought a full-length film movie was in order. Although stories abound about behind the scenes gripes and complaints (Karloff upset at Lorre's ad-libs, animosity between Lorre and Nicolson) everyone seems to be having a fine time and really throwing themselves into their roles. Samuel Z. Arkoff and James Nicolson were the executive producers on this AIP production along with many long time Corman collaborators: Les Baxter (music), Floyd Crosby (cinematographer) and Daniel Haller (production design).

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