Tales of Terror (1962)

67% of critics liked it
(12 reviews)
64% of users liked it
(4,747 ratings)

Roger Corman's Tales of Terror stars Vincent Price in a trio of short stories, liberally adapted by Richard Matheson from the works of Edgar Allan Poe. The film gets off to a rousing start with "Morella," in which Price's bitterness over the long-ago death of his wife results in tragedy for his… More Roger Corman's Tales of Terror stars Vincent Price in a trio of short stories, liberally adapted by Richard Matheson from the works of Edgar Allan Poe. The film gets off to a rousing start with "Morella," in which Price's bitterness over the long-ago death of his wife results in tragedy for his estranged daughter Maggie Pierce. The last of the three terror-filled tales, "The Case of Mr. Valdemar," finds Price being put into a state of suspended animation by the diabolical Basil Rathbone; when Rathbone claims Price's bride Debra Paget for himself, Price briefly revives, only to melt before our eyes (this horrific image was reproduced on the film's advertising posters). The film's best story is its centerpiece, "The Black Cat," which weaves elements of "The Cask of Amontillado" into a mordantly funny revenge tale concerning Price, his bitter enemy Peter Lorre, and Lorre's two-timing wife Joyce Jameson. This is the one in which a besotted Lorre walls up Price and Jameson in his cellar, then endures a hellish hallucination of Vincent and Joyce playing a football game with his head! A mixed bag, to be sure, but Tales of Terror remains one of the best of Corman's Poe cycle (though it does lose a lot when not shown in its original Cinemascope form). ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 30 min.
Directed By: Roger Corman
Written By: Richard Matheson, Edgar Allan Poe, Edgar Allan Poe IV
Genres: Horror, Mystery & Suspense, Classics, Comedy, Cult Movies

In Theaters: Jul 4, 1962 Wide
On DVD: Sep 19, 2000
Studio: American International Picture

Critic Reviews

Tim Brayton, Antagony & Ecstasy
An irreproachable one-stop shop for somebody looking to have a undemanding night with a CinemaScope Gothic shocker.
Cole Smithey, ColeSmithey.com
[VIDEO] Roger Corman's status as a reliable creator of pulpy low-budget horror movies was firmly established by 1962, when he made "Tales of Terror."
Steve Biodrowski, ESplatter
A lavish-looking, stylish piece of work.
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
The film should appeal to fans of the weird and those with a campy sense of humor more than those who are more serious about drama and Poe.
Pablo Villaca, Cinema em Cena
Não deixa de ser problemático que o mais eficaz dos episódios seja justamente aquele que carregue no humor (e, por sinal, Price e Lorre estão divertidíssimos em suas cenas conjuntas).
Steve Crum, Dispatch-Tribune Newspapers
Fun scares with Vincent Price and Peter Lorre via Roger Corman.
Michael H. Price, Fort Worth Business Press
Among the least of the Corman-Price Poe pictures, but rendered imperishable by its hilarious/horrific wine-tasting scene between Peter Lorre and Vincent Price.
Bob Bloom, Journal and Courier (Lafayette, IN)
A wonderful addition to the Poe-AIP canon.
Scott Weinberg, Apollo Guide
Anthology horror worthy of a stormy night.

Read all 9 critic reviews

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

AJ V

This is a very good anthology horror movie staring some of the great horror actors of the sixties. The stories are cool and the movie is pretty scary and creepy. I love it.
First L

I felt several emotions while watching Tales of Terror. Terror, however was not one of them. It's quite a comical bastardization of E. A. Poe's writings, with Vincent Price mugging away for cameras. There are in fact, three so-called tales of terror: Morella, The Black… More
I felt several emotions while watching Tales of Terror. Terror, however was not one of them. It's quite a comical bastardization of E. A. Poe's writings, with Vincent Price mugging away for cameras. There are in fact, three so-called tales of terror: Morella, The Black Cat, and The Case of M. Valdemar. Each of the episodes runs approximately half an hour and runs the gamut between patently ridiculous (The Black Cat) and extraordinarily dull (Morella). Poe's short stories are often feeling or emotion rather than plot, but these re-tellings of Poe's stories (as directed by Roger Corman) are as dry and mechanical as possible, relying soley on whatever device was used in the original story to carry the attempts at suspense. Bad sets, bad lighting, bad direction (Corman zoom ins and zoom outs to transition each scene in one of the tales) and cheesy acting all add up to a lot of non-frightening-ness. One of my favorite Poe short stories, The Case of M. Valdemar, gets closest to the original feel, but as I've said before, it's a very paint by-the-numbers affair that squanders any creepy feelings it may have generated. All in all, Tales of Terror is a campy waste of time.
Greg S

Vincent Price stars in three adaptations of Edgar Allan Poe stories, joined for the last two by horror icons Peter Lorre and Basil Rathbone. Mildly creepy in a literary way, but it's the oversized screen personas of the stars that makes it fun. The middle feature, a combination… More
Vincent Price stars in three adaptations of Edgar Allan Poe stories, joined for the last two by horror icons Peter Lorre and Basil Rathbone. Mildly creepy in a literary way, but it's the oversized screen personas of the stars that makes it fun. The middle feature, a combination of "The Black Cat" and "The Cask of Amontillado," starring Lorre as a loutish drunk and Price as a wine-sipping fop, is the best.
Carlos M

Unfortunately, the finest of the three stories is the one that goes for the laughs - and, by the way, Price and Lorre are really fun together here.
Randy T

It would be difficult, if not impossible, to go wrong when you combine the tales of Edgar Allan Poe with the talents of Vincent Price. But wait, there's more! Throw in a villainous Basil Rathbone and an aging but still charming Peter Lorre and you've got a campy cult… More
It would be difficult, if not impossible, to go wrong when you combine the tales of Edgar Allan Poe with the talents of Vincent Price. But wait, there's more! Throw in a villainous Basil Rathbone and an aging but still charming Peter Lorre and you've got a campy cult classic. Episodic 60's horror at it's cheesy best.
Pierluigi P

The splendid triad Price, Lorre and Rathbone star this fun anthology loosely based on Edgar Allan Poe's short stories, all segments have the presence of ravishing women, and also a camp, silly but delightful parodic tone. you won't be scared, but you'll have a… More
The splendid triad Price, Lorre and Rathbone star this fun anthology loosely based on Edgar Allan Poe's short stories, all segments have the presence of ravishing women, and also a camp, silly but delightful parodic tone. you won't be scared, but you'll have a tremendous blast.
Michael G

Fun and entertaining Corman/Price fare. Great lighting (thanks Mario Bava!!!) and imagery. Vincent Price is his usual great self as always. If you can appreciate a good, classic, atmospheric period horror flick this may be the trick. If you're an Edgar Allen Poe enthusiast you… More
Fun and entertaining Corman/Price fare. Great lighting (thanks Mario Bava!!!) and imagery. Vincent Price is his usual great self as always. If you can appreciate a good, classic, atmospheric period horror flick this may be the trick. If you're an Edgar Allen Poe enthusiast you might be gravely disappointed. It's more fun than scary or creepy but definitely not a bad watch.
David S

A fun compilation of Poe short stories, all involving the master of horror Vincent Price. They are not completely straight adaptations as they tend to mix in other Poe stories or influences throughout but it's a great introduction to the stories and the first and last especially… More
A fun compilation of Poe short stories, all involving the master of horror Vincent Price. They are not completely straight adaptations as they tend to mix in other Poe stories or influences throughout but it's a great introduction to the stories and the first and last especially are creepy. 'The Black Cat' is played for laughs which is a slight shame but it's still entertaining. Price dominates the proceedings and is great in all the roles. He is obviously having a great time and presents three entirely different characters. A nice little horror from Roger Corman. Now I'll try and check our some of his other Poe adaptations.
Kevin L

Here we have one of the silver screen's masters of horror: Vincent Price. He gives 3 Edgar Allen Poe stories,yeah the legend!. They stories I didnt particulalry find scary,but they were fun to watch. This movie was made in the 1960's so we cant exepect too much violence can… More
Here we have one of the silver screen's masters of horror: Vincent Price. He gives 3 Edgar Allen Poe stories,yeah the legend!. They stories I didnt particulalry find scary,but they were fun to watch. This movie was made in the 1960's so we cant exepect too much violence can we? Nope instead we get good old suspence. I dont highly recomend this movie,its not for everyone.But for those of you that like classic horror movies with the great Vincent Price,well this movie is for you....

Read all 9 featured audience ratings

Cast

Vincent Price
as Fortunato
Peter Lorre
as Montresor
Basil Rathbone
as Carmichael

Debra Paget
as Helene
Maggie Pierce
as Lenora
Leona Gage
as Morella

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