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Home , 13 Ghosts, Alan Marshal (actor), Ben Washam, Bourbon Street Beat, Carol Ohmart, House on Haunted Hill

VOICE Journal of the Alex Film Society Vol. 12, No. 3 October 28, 2006, 2 pm & 8 pm 10/06 of theTHEATRE

William Castle’s Perspective: By Ronald Bonk House on Haunted ith a film career that Hill Wspanned six decades, Vincent Price played handsome romantic leads Price ventured to under which he played the romantic lead as well as wicked villains. Unlike contract to Universal. His first opposite . In 1940 most evildoers of the silver screen, screen role was in a delightful Price was signed to a seven-year Price was not physically menacing. comedy called Service de Luxe contract with 20th Century Fox that Rather it was his character’s keen (1938) in which he played opposite permitted him to make occasional intellect combined with a calm, Constance Bennett. He was then stage performances. The following well spoken, confident voice loaned out to Warner Brothers for a year he had one of his greatest that brought an uneasy sense Broadway successes playing the of menace to his film roles. evil Mr. Manningham opposite 1953 and the advent of 3-D in Angel Street. Vincent Price was born in St. brought Price one of his most Louis, Missouri on May 27, 1911 In 1943 Fox gave Price his first into a family of comfortable memorable roles. great screen role: that of Jennifer means. His father was president Jones’ skeptical opponent in The of the National Candy Company supporting part in The Private Lives Song of Bernadette. This was a supplier of sweets to five of Elizabeth and Essex (1939) which followed by supporting parts in and dime stores nationwide. was followed by a handful of other The Eve of St. Mark (1944) playing Universal programmers including a Shakespeare quoting Southern After appearing in several The Tower of London (1939), The soldier, Wilson (1944) playing Broadway dramas, including two Invisible Man Returns (1940) and Senator Gibbs McAdoo, Laura with ’ , The House of Seven Gables (1940) in (1944) playing a suave admirer Continued on Page 2

House On Haunted Hill...... 1 Character Actors...... 5 Perspective: Vincent Price...... 1 Short Subjects...... 7 Feature credits...... 4 Calendar...... 8 VINCENT PRICE Cont’d from page 1

Vincent Price wth Famous Monsters of Filmland The Raven (1963) publisher Jerry Warren

trying to win the heart of Gene sculptor who fills his museum with After appearing in a few more Tierney and wax-coated dead bodies when straight dramas Price finished (1945) playing a DA determined his fire-damaged hands can no out the decade with three horror to put an end to Tierney’s evil longer perform. The film was a moneymakers, The Fly (1958), doings. His first starring role was and two films for producer/ in Shock (1946) as a psychiatrist director : House trying to have Lynn Bari committed on Haunted Hill (1958) and The to an asylum after she witnesses Tingler (1959). The success of him murder his wife. He finished these chillers prompted American out the decade with Dragonwyck International Pictures to star Price (1946), Moss Rose (1947) and in their adaptation of Edgar Allan a memorable supporting part Poe’s The House of Usher (1960), in Ronald Coleman’s comedy which was directed by low-budget Champagne for (1950). filmmaker . The film was so successful that AIP 1953 and the advent of 3-D continued to churn out similar brought Price one of his most low-budget Poe-based films with memorable roles. In House of Price’s salary being the most Wax he played a demented The Fly (1958) expensive item in their budgets.

huge box-office success and lead to another 3- D horror pic: The Mad Magician (1954). The public loved Price in these classy hair-raisers and they began his association with the horror genre that would last the rest of his life.

Tales of Terror (1962) (1959)

VOICE of the THEATRE –  – Vol. 12, No. 3 October 28, 2006 Emerge-o Smergo… by Frank Gladstone These films included (1961) with John illiam Castle made over 60 THE TINGLER (1959): “Percept-O” Kerr, (1962) with Wfilms in his checkered career, was set up with specially wired seats and and but he is best known today for a in each theatre which sent a “tingle” The Raven (1963) that cast Price series of “B” horror pictures he to unsuspecting patrons during the and Lorre as magicians competing made from 1958 through 1961 climax of the picture. The Alex Film with power-hungry . that featured outrageous gimmicks Society recreated “Percept-O” during The Corman/Poe collaborations concluded in England with The designed to bring in audiences… our TINGLER screening a few years Masque of the Red Death (1964) which they almost always did. ago, to great success. and (1965). (1960): “Illusion-O” Price continued to act in films and consisted of red and blue filters the appear on television throughout the audience could look through. On cue, 70’s and 80’s. His last memorable one filter would reveal the ghostly film roles were inTheatre of figures, the other would make them Blood (1973) playing a hammy disappear.

HOMICIDAL (1961): Had a “Fright Break”, complete with an on-screen countdown, about half way through the picture. Audience members too frightened to continue watching could leave the theatre.

Rather than tell you about the gimmick designed for and ruin the effect that the Alex Theatre society has lovingly recreated at terrific expense, we Masque of Red Death (1964) thought it might be more opportune to review the other gimmicks Bill Castle came up with during his Shakespearean actor seeking revenge “horror cycle”. on theatrical critics who failed to give him favorable reviews, The Price models the Emergo rig. Whales of August (1987) in which MACABRE (1958): Each ticket buyer he played opposite and got a $1000 Lloyds of London life and as Johnny Depp’s insurance policy to cover them if MR. SARDONICUS (1961): At the master in ’s Edward they “died from fright” during the end of the movie, the audience was Scissorhands (1990). In addition to movie. invited to use “thumbs-up” and acting, Price was an avid swimmer, “thumbs-down” cards to decide if hiker, art connoisseur, cook, author, HOUSE ON HAUNTED HILL (1959): the theatre would show a happy lecturer, husband and father. “Emerge-O” will be resurrected for ending (main character lives!) or He passed away at home in on October 25, 1993. you during this special Halloween a sad one (he dies…). As far as we show. know, he always died.

Vol. 12, No. 3 October 28, 2006 –  – VOICE of the THEATRE Press Book

Alex

ess books have long been a standard in film advertising. Alex PUsually printed on glossy paper (for better image reproduction) and often tabloid sized, press books contained the pertinent information on the project, its film makers and stars coupled with enough sizzle to ensure local newspapers would print the “advertorial” along with paid ads funded by the exhibitor. This clip is about one quarter a full interior page. On the reverse were pre-made ads in various sizes Alex (below). These pages are from the collection of Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County.

Alex

Alex

The 35mm prints of the feature and cartoon are courtesy of Warner Bros (Linda Evans- Smith & Marilee Womack) and the short subject is courtesy of Columbia Repertory, (Michael Schlesinger). Research from IMDB and the Cine-Loa Archive (George Crittenden).

VOICE of the THEATRE –  – Vol. 12, No. 3 October 28, 2006 House Guests by Linda Harris House on Haunted Hill is a scream… and I’m not talk- ing about the audience, but the colorful cast of char- (Annabelle Loren) acters that director William Castle choose to support – Vincent Price’s wife star Vincent Price. Born July 3, 1927 in , . Perhaps best known At age 19 won the to film fans is Elisha “” title (then Cook, Jr. – (Watson a brunette), coming Pritchard) the owner up fourth runner-up of the eerie, ghost- when she segued into invested house. the “” contest. The attention In a career spanning she received led to a almost 60 years, Elisha modeling, commercial Cook, Jr. worked in and magazine cover career. vaudeville, stock companies, Broadway, Dying her hair blonde, she became one of a “bevy of films and television. sexy blondes in Hollywood shuffled about in 50’s films, thrust into the limelight by ambitious movie studios as “Funny, isn’t it, I possible contenders to ’s uncooperative thought I’d be playing pedestal.” romantic juveniles when I went into the movies, and ended up doing pimp’s, informers, rats and heels,” Cook In 1949, she did commercials for early TV programs, once said in an interview. appearing on the NBC program “Versatile Varieties” doing floor wax commercials alongside Although he once declared that he had appeared in and . “more bombs than I care to remember”, Cook was seen in a number of cinematic classics including Sergeant Paramount signed her in 1955, billing her, of course, as York (1941), Shane (1953), and Rosemary’s Baby (1968), the “next Marilyn”. She came across on screen as hard- but he’ll always be remembered for his role as Wilmer bitten and unsympathetic instead of as an innocent in The Maltese Falcon (1941). sex goddess and her first two movies (1956) and The Wild Party (1956) unfortunately tanked He worked up until the early 90’s appearing at the box office. in numerous televisions shows such as “The Untouchables”, “The Fugitive”, “Wagon Train” and Nevertheless, she’ll always have television. She logged “Magnum P.I.” until he suffered a stroke that rendered many hours as a guest-star on popular television him unable to speak. shows, including “Perry Mason”, “Route 66”, “” and “Mannix” among others. He died at age 91– the last In the late 1960’s, Ohmart deserted her acting career, surviving cast briefly picking it up again in the early 1970’s on member of The television and in her final film, The Spectre of Edgar Maltese Falcon. Allen Poe (1974; with Robert Walker Jr. and Cesar Romero). Afterward, Ohmart abandoned acting for good in favor of studying metaphysics.

Carol Ohmart is the only cast member still alive. Continued on Page 6

Vol. 12, No. 3 October 28, 2006 –  – VOICE of the THEATRE House Guests – cont’d from page 5

leading player in all of Warner Bros. TV shows of the 1950’s. He even played the same character (Rex Randolph) on “”, “” and “”. He was married to actress Suzan Ball (Lucille Ball’s second cousin, she died of cancer only a year after their marriage). Later, he wed actress Mara Corday.

Richard Long died of a heart attack at age 47.

Alan Marshal (Dr. David Trent) a , Price & Carolyn Craig psychiatrist studying hysteria Carolyn Craig Born January 29, 1909, described Carolyn Craig (Nora Manning) Richard Long (Lance Schroeder) a as a bland, handsome, mustached a pretty, young girl who needs test pilot who needs money Australian-born actor in the George the money too because she works Brent tradition, Marshal supported as a secretary in one of Price’s Born on December 17, 1927 in many femme stars in late 30’s companies , he is fondly remembered romantic drama, including Greta for his role of Professor Harold Garbo and . Born October 24, 1934 on Long Everett on the popular 1970’s TV Island, Craig got her start in show comedy “Nanny and the Professor.” Marshal’s films include, The business at the age of nineteen by and as ’s son on White Cliffs Of Dover (1944), The appearing in a series of photographs “”. Howards Of Virginia (1940), Irene praising the benefits of being a (1940), The Adventures Of Sherlock housewife. At the beginning of his career, his Holmes (1939), The Hunchback Of good looks served him well and Notre Dame (1939) (as the dashing She’s probably best remembered for got him a contract at Universal Capt. Phoebus) and The Garden Of her role in House On Haunted Hill Pictures. Making his screen debut Allah (1936). He also appeared on and as Cynthia Allison on “General as ’s son in television in, “”, “Wagon Hospital” in 1963. She also made Tomorrow Is Forever (1946), Train”, “Rawhide”, “M Squad”, guest appearances on television in, “Buckskin” and “Perry Mason”. “Laramie”, “Checkmate”, “Hawaiian He appeared in numerous films and Eye”, “77 Sunset Strip”, and “The classic television series, became a In the early 60’s, he suffered from Rifleman.” a chronic nervous condition that ended his film career, Her death at the age of 36 in Culver forcing him to return to the City was attributed to a gunshot theater. wound.

Ironically, he died of a heart Julie Mitchum (Ruth Bridges) attack on July 13, 1961, in newspaperwoman out for a good New York, while appearing story on stage in the play “Sextet” Born July 23, 1914 in Connecticut, with . and yes – she is the sister of Robert Mitchum. She made a handful of movies in the 50’s.

Julie Mitchum died in 2003 of Alzheimer’s disease. Vincent Price & Carol Ohmart

VOICE of the THEATRE –  – Vol. 12, No. 3 October 28, 2006 The House Short Subjects Ennis Brown House A Witch’s Tangled Hare ennishouse.org If A body Meets A Body

A Witch’s Tangled Hare Warner Bros Cartoon, Technicolor – 1959 – 7 minutes Print courtesy of Warner Bros

Produced by...... David H. Depatie Directed by...... Story by...... Animation...... Richard Thompson, , Keith Darling Layouts...... Owen Fitzgerald he house on haunted hill, Backgrounds...... Bob Singer which looks like a huge Mayan T Editor...... Treg Brown temple, is actually a real house and it’s really in Los Angeles. The Voices...... , Ennis Brown house perches on a Music...... precarious slope of land in the Los Production Mgr...... William Orcutt Feliz district. Designed in 1924 by Frank Lloyd gets tangled up with a witch in days of old. Wright, the Ennis Brown house is featured in over 20 movies If A Body Meets A Body including The Black Cat (1934), Columbia/Three Stooges 1945 18 minutes Day of the Locust (1975), Blade Print courtesy of Columbia Repertory Runner (1982) and Black Rain (1989). After the Northridge earthquake Cast and the torrential rains in the Curly Howard, Larry Fine, Moe Howard winter of 2004, the house is now Ted Lorch...... Jerkington washing down the haunted hill Fred Kelsey...... Detective Clancy on which it perches. Two aging Joe Palma...... Housekeeper* Rottweilers are now it’s only Victor Travers...... Link relative* residents – guarding the place Al Thompson...... Bob O. Link* from vandals. John Tyrrell...... Deceased * The National Trust for *uncreditied Historic Preservation, the LA Conservancy, The Ennis House Produced & Foundation and the Frank Lloyd Directed by...... Jules White Wright Building Conservancy are Story by...... Gil Pratt working together to preserve this Screenplay by...... Jack White Hollywood landmark. Cinematographer.....Benjamin Kline Art Direction by...... Charles Clague Edited by...... Charles Hockberg

Please join AFS! Upon hearing that Curly is the heir to a $3 million estate, the Stooges leave immediately for the reading of the will at a spooky old mansion. The See Page 8 Stooges witness many strange and weird happenings before finding out for information. what Curly’s uncle has bequeathed him in the surprise ending.

Vol. 12, No. 3 October 28, 2006 –  – VOICE of the THEATRE www.AlexFilmSociety.org Society News Tickets: 818.243.2539 Society elects Board and Officers Saturday, November 25 at 2 and 8 pm only On July 29 at the Society’s annual meeting, members “Saving Private Curly... Stooges in Arms” in attendance re-elected Ronald Bonk, Jim Elyea, Three stooges™ big screen event! Frank Gladstone and Daryl Maxwell to 3 year terms. Remaining Board members are Randy Carter, George We celebrate the 9th year of our popular “Stooge-fest,” a collection of five classic short Crittenden, Pamela Ellis, Brian Ellis, Pam Elyea and subjects cherry picked from the ’ vaults by our blue ribbon panel of Andrea Humberger. The members also voted to fill Stooge-o-philes. This year, each of the shorts has a military or wartime theme. an open seat, with our newest Board member Beth Werling. Saturday, February 10, 2007 at 2 and 8 pm Tracey, Hepburn and a Computer The Board then met to elect officers for the year and DESK SET chose Randy Carter for President, Ron Bonk as V.P., Sparks and words fly when love and automation Brian Ellis as Treasurer and Pamela Ellis as Secretary. collide in 20th Century Fox’s classic office- romantic comedy. When efficiency expert Richard Sumner, portrayed by Spencer Tracey, is hired We’ve updated our web site to include to install an electronic brain in the Reference more information and past issues of the Dept. headed by walking encyclopedia Barbara Voice of the Theatre. Check it out at “Bunny” Watson, portrayed by Katherine Hepburn, www.AlexFilmSociety.org the day to day routine is anything but ordinary. and sign up for our email list. Joan Blondell, , and Dina Merrill are the supporting cast for this edge of the computer age office romp that is presented in Cinemascope membership application with color by De Luxe. Come with the one you love on February 10th for a Valentine’s mail with check to: Alex Film Society Day treat! P. O. Box 4807, Glendale, CA 91222-0807 Saturday, April 28, 2007 at 2 and 8 pm Winner of 7 Oscars including Best Picture! THE BEST YEARS OF OUR LIVES

Three American servicemen return home after World War 2, to find their lives irrevocably changed by their military experience. Together, the three must find a way to come to terms with their experiences and pick up the pieces, lest wartime turn out to be “the best years of their lives”. Directed by William Wyler, starring , Fredric March and Dana Andrews, it swept the . RKO (1946).

Voice of the Theatre Published by and for members of the Alex Film Society P. O. Box 4807 • Glendale, CA 91222 • 818.754.8250 [email protected] $3 (mailed free with membership) editor randy carter design/layout brian ellis distribution andrea humberger printer alco printing, glendale ©2006 AFS, all rights reserved