To get you ready for Halloween. An Evening with Edgar Allan Poe is a 52-minute film which features Vincent Price, in front of a live audience, reciting Edgar Allan Poe's stories.
I've seen a few solo performances that were darn good. One of Frankenstein at the Rosenbach in Philadelphia and another actor that performs as Poe did the Tell tale heart in Baltimore.
I was lucky enough to have met the great Vincent Price. He was doing a lecture series on his life and career which I attended with my father. I was about 13 years old. After the amazing lecture we waited around by the backstage door with several other people when suddenly Mr. Price came walking out. He was very tall, dressed in a long black overcoat with wavy silver hair crowning his head. It was just like a scene from one of his films! He walked up to me first, graciously extended his hand and said hello. We talked for a moment and he was soon headed for his limo. My dad asked him where he was headed and he simply said, “New York”. A few days later, we saw him performing on a big star studded show from NYC. He was a true gentleman and an amazing actor and raconteur. Elegant and classy all the way, the type of actor that just doesn’t seem to exist any more. I’ve met some other other famous people since then, but nothing really compares with meeting Vincent.
Damn, Vinny was one of the greatest. I, too saw him do a lecture at Cal Tech, ( in the 80's) entitled "The Villain still persues me", in which he spoke of characters he played as well villains in history. He was so well-spoken(that wonderful voice), smart, engaging, and very funny, that u wish it would ever end. I had been invited by a friend mine who worked at Cal Tech.My whole family has always LOVED HIM, so took my mom and sister.However, I had been put a an exclusive back stage to meet him.Excitedly, with Poe book in hand , I went to meet him.Well, my sister got jealous, and informed me she was leaving right then, and if wanted a ride,I had to lea've sans Vincent.Crestfallen&foolish,
ADD-ON DISCLAIMER :I think, in retrospective, sis felt really bad.The next day she took me to a Boris Karloff Fesitival,(at the El Rey in Hollywood)which they celebrated & honored the man's life.On hand to speak of him, were people he had worked with as well as various current people in the business. Even, the woman (looking fierce in a beaded headdress)who played Dr.Frankenstein's wife in the original was on hand.LAST AND BEST was Vincent Price, who spoke of his friend.Very Moving....So, I saw him 2 day's in a row...SOO COOL...STILL I. could kick myself for not meeting him...
@@margarethastings3488 Yes, “The Villain Still Persues Me” was the name of the lecture. You saw the same one I did! We saw him in Greensboro, NC at the old Carolina Theatre, downtown. He took questions from the audience afterwards. This was not long after he did the narration for Thriller, and a man jokingly asked Vincent if he received a percentage of the record sales! Price, without skipping a beat, snickered and replied, “I knew some asshole would ask me that question”. He was so funny throughout the lecture and the time just flew by. He spoke about how people used to mistake him for Boris Karloff, even years after Karloff had passed away! We had great seats, about five or six rows back. The Carolina Theatre was built in the 1920s and was in the process of being restored at the time. It was long rumored to be haunted.
After sampling the many dubious versions of Poe's masterpieces on this same site, finding Mr. Price's recitations was like finding fresh water in a burning desert. He was BORN to do this. Vincent Price was not only a beloved actor, but a sweet and generous man. Truly, "one of a kind." RIP.
All Hail Vincent Price : "He was Poe" . This was meant to be a Non Profit Production . In terms of the first E - Book . Unfortunately this and other productions , died under the pressure of commerce .
When I see Vincent Price's name, I instantly click on the video. No one can compare to Vincent Price. He's incredible in everything, that I've ever seen him in. ❤
Peter Cushing, Basil Rathbone, Christopher Lee, and of course Vincent Price, are the greatest, nobody comes close or had the class that these fine gentlemen had!
Edgar Allan Poe would be proud to see the greatest actor especially of horror of all time, reciting his stories in this movie. He was such a great actor that will never be forgotten by so many. As a child at the age of only 10 years old, I viewed my first horror movie which starred Vincent Price. That great early beginning of watching such great late night movies back on TV in the 70s has given me a lifelong love of the genre of horror both in literature and film. Vincent Price will never be forgotten ever!!!
He had a reputation for having an amazing memory. There's a story about the filming of Edward Scissorhands--when he was 80...someone brought an illustrated book of Poe stories on set and was showing it to him, he was looking at the beautiful illustrations...got to Ligeia and closed the book, then recited the whole thing from memory. (His daughter said he could not be beaten at Trivial Pursuit.)
The fact that Vincent memorized the whole texts with minimal cue card use itself was admirable. It shows how much passion and love he had for Poe's works.
I also saw Vincent Price on an episode of Have Gun-Will Travel. He looked a lot like Richard Boone when Boone was a little bit younger. They could have passed for brothers but they weren't.
Mr. Price did a reading of Poe around Halloween at the university I attended. It was enthralling, spooky, and fun. He was a lovely man who seemed to enjoy talking to students as much as he did performing.
The amazing thing about Vincent Price was that he knew how to transform and translate text into real emotions. Compared to the actors of the old days, our current actors would be out of work. Can you imagine, if Vincent Price would have had the advantages in movie magic of this age and you add to the equation his acting how fantastic movies would be. Turner Classic Movies, that is the place to enjoy the greatest films ever produced.
Vincent Price was a wonderful, wonderful stage actor. I love him on film too, but he was the strongest and most intriguing when he was onstage. He has a fantastic presence and that gorgeous voice....I could listen to him talk about anything, and it would never be boring.
I have a collection of Poe's works, and everytime I read it, I hear the voice of Vincent Price. No one has ever captured the spirit of Poe quite as much as Price. And he always looked like he was having loads of fun too. Hope he lives on forever in his works. Future generations shouldn't be deprived of his brilliance. Thanks.
Mr. price was a master at his craft and is remembered and missed, there was no one like him, i watch this stuff not just at halloween, but all the time, his craft has not been matched to this day
I've seldom been witness to captivating on-stage performances but rarely, not at least since seeing Anne of Green Gables live, have I been captivated by such credible intensity from an on-stage actor. Vincent Price's interpretation of Edgar Allan Poe's Tale Tale Heart is stunning.
This was in front of a live audience? I feel privileged just to see it RU-vid; can you imagine what a live audience felt? Thank you so much for posting!
Vincent Price was head and shoulders above the rest, as is evidenced here.This is the best reading of Poe I ever expect to hear. Quite Brilliant.✒⚰🎭🎙💀🖤
I have loved this talented, one of a kind gentleman since I was a kid. I am a fan of Edgar Allan Poe ever since we read his poems in high school. No one can hold a candle to Vincent Price! I watch him not only on Halloween but anytime. I recently had the pleasure of meeting his nice daughter Victoria. She told us a lot of interesting, wonderful things about her father. He certainly was one of a kind and I will always be a very proud fan. Vincent Price actor, chef, art collector, connoisseur, humanitarian, beloved legend ❤️❤️🔥💖
I remember as a kid, long before there was VCRs I tape-recorded this and listened to it over and over again. Since most of the magic of this is in his wonderful voice I was overjoyed at how well it was just to listen these two masters.
Back in Junior high school my teacher played this album with Vincent Price doing this adaptation of the short story. He's so energetic in his voice that I listen to this without watching the video.
Learning about Gothic Literature and just finished read Edgar Allan Poe's "The Masque Of The Red Death". It was lovely and I remember reading "The Tell-Tale Heart" during my freshman year and we watched a biography on Poe. So sad what he had went through but I think if it wasn't for those events he wouldn't be one of the most popular Gothic writer's still known today.
I love that in Cask Montresor keeps giving Fortunato opportunities to back out, the chance to turn around, even if he doesn't know what from. His greed and self interest keeps him plundering forward.
Sadly, there are no new generation horror actors, Lee's passing ended the classic era. Only British actors can do this classic horror because they are still staged trained, American actors just go by their looks. You can still see the difference by the acting style. Wanted, more gothic horror, less mad slasher movies.
I really wish I could have met MR. Price from everything u have heard he was a wonderful person who loved his fans and would always make time for them if he could, today's celebs could take a lesson on just how classy this man was
A truly remarkable production. Four one-man, one-act plays and a true showcase of the consummate artistry of Vincent Price. This is what television SHOULD be.
Miranda Bella yes, mine too! These two were the ultimate for me! I don't think the world will ever see even 80% of the atmosphere and skill of these masters of the macabre. Just happy we have these readings and videos. ❤️🦇🎶🎥🌘😍
wow, Vince Price was a huge Poe fan... So much passion. Also this is the second time he's acted in The Pit and The Pendulum (this one being closer to the original short story) it's hard to get people in 2020 to get into this, but man you have to give this man credit for his dedication, memorizing and reciting all these stories in 1 overall performance.
I never knew this existed! What a treat! Love Vincent Price and to have his exquisite acting abilities applied to Edgar Allan Poe is simply wonderful. I thought I had seen everything done by this outstanding actor. This was great! My favorite? "The Cask of Amontillado"; I have always loved that tale by Poe.
Excellent! Absolutely magical. I have tears in my eyes right now, it's incredible how Poe can make me feel and Vincent is a master interpreting his stories!
It takes quite a bit of concentration & a little patience to listen to his amazing work, not everyone can master that. - my guess. 😊I find it easy to get into.
What a fascinating performance. The legendary Vincent Price also a Thespian. Acting out an hour of Edgar Allen Poe? Challenge for any actor I kind of remember it as a little kid in the 70s... Bravo Mr. Price! A legend on many levels.
Due to Halloween I've spent the last several weeks watching most of Vincent Price's movies. I have to say that this film is the best of his work regarding Edgar Allen Poe. Mr. Price is allowed to shine and do EAP's stories justice.
As far as I'm concerned Vincent Price passed away way to soon.. I admire his work so much and could only have wished to have met him in person. He is so talented and does his parts so well. Especially with Edgar Allen Poe stories.
I remember they used to show this every once in a while on t.v. when I was a kid in the 70's. My family and I used to sit around the television and watch it.
I do not know why Vincent Price was so fascinated with Poe, but I am very glad he was. For he introduced Edgar Allan Poe to more youth during the 60s and 70s than any English teacher could.
Wow..this was a movie? We went and saw him recite this when I was a kid at South Bend Indiana's Century Center. I was a kid but a huge horror fan and still am..My dad made sure we familiarized ourselves with the masters. I'm SO glad I have this memory! He was one of the best. Must be why I create the music I do. ;)
Thanks so much for posting this. I just love Vincent Price not only was he a superb actor,narrator, Art colector and erudite critic of the visual Arts. He was a good chef too by all accounts. A remarkable man! Oh, and did I mention that famous velvet voice : )
