IMDb on iPhone and iPod touch Learn more Learn more Download from the App Store
IMDb > Tales of Terror (1962)
Tales of Terror
Quicklinks
Top Links
trailers and videosfull cast and crewtriviaofficial sitesmemorable quotes
Overview
main detailscombined detailsfull cast and crewcompany creditstv schedule
Awards & Reviews
user reviewsexternal reviewsnewsgroup reviewsawardsuser ratingsparents guiderecommendationsmessage board
Plot & Quotes
plot summarysynopsisplot keywordsAmazon.com summarymemorable quotes
Fun Stuff
triviagoofssoundtrack listingcrazy creditsalternate versionsmovie connectionsFAQ
Other Info
merchandising linksbox office/businessrelease datesfilming locationstechnical specslaserdisc detailsDVD detailsliterature listingsNewsDesk
Promotional
taglines trailers and videos posters photo gallery
External Links
showtimesofficial sitesmiscellaneousphotographssound clipsvideo clips

Tales of Terror (1962) More at IMDbPro »

Photos (see all 13 | slideshow) Videos (see all 2)
Tales of Terror (1962) -- Three short stories ('Morella,' 'The Black Cat,' and 'The Case of M. Valdemar') based on the works of the master horror writer, Edgar Allan Poe, and feature Vincent Price in the starring role.
Tales of Terror (1962) -- Three tales of terror involve a grieving widower and the daughter he abandoned; a drunkard and his wife's black cat; and a hypnotist who prolongs the moment of a man's death.

Overview

User Rating:
6.7/10   1,764 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Up 20% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Writers:
Edgar Allan Poe (stories) and
Richard Matheson (screenplay)
Contact:
View company contact information for Tales of Terror on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
23 February 1963 (Denmark) more
Tagline:
A Trilogy of Shock and Horror!
Plot:
Three tales of terror involve a grieving widower and the daughter he abandoned; a drunkard and his wife's black cat; and a hypnotist who prolongs the moment of a man's death. full summary | add synopsis
Plot Keywords:
User Reviews:
A Very Odd Yet Interesting Film more (36 total)

Cast

  (in credits order) (complete, awaiting verification)

Vincent Price ... Locke / Fortunato / Valdemar
Maggie Pierce ... Lenora (segment "Morella")
Leona Gage ... Morella (segment "Morella")

Peter Lorre ... Montresor (segment "The Black Cat")
Joyce Jameson ... Annabel (segment "The Black Cat")
Basil Rathbone ... Carmichael (segment "The Case of M. Valdemar")
Debra Paget ... Helene (segment "The Case of M. Valdemar")
David Frankham ... Dr. James (segment "The Case of M. Valdemar")
Lennie Weinrib ... Policeman (segment "The Black Cat")
Wally Campo ... Barman Wilkins (segment "The Black Cat")
Alan DeWitt ... Chairman of Wine Society (segment "The Black Cat") (as Alan DeWit)
John Hackett ... Policeman (segment "The Black Cat")
Edmund Cobb ... Driver (segment "Morella") (as Ed Cobb)
Scott Brown
Create a character page for: ?

Directed by
Roger Corman 
 
Writing credits
Edgar Allan Poe (stories Morella, The Black Cat, The Facts in the Case of M. Valdemar, and A Cask of Amontillado)

Richard Matheson  screenplay

Produced by
Samuel Z. Arkoff .... executive producer
Roger Corman .... producer
James H. Nicholson .... executive producer
 
Original Music by
Les Baxter 
 
Cinematography by
Floyd Crosby (director of photography)
 
Film Editing by
Anthony Carras 
 
Production Design by
Daniel Haller 
 
Art Direction by
Daniel Haller 
 
Set Decoration by
Harry Reif 
 
Makeup Department
Lou LaCava .... makeup artist (as Lou La Cava)
Ray Forman .... hair stylist (uncredited)
 
Production Management
Robert Agnew .... unit manager
Bartlett A. Carre .... production manager (as Bartlett A. Carré)
 
Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Jack Bohrer .... assistant director
 
Art Department
Ross Hahn .... construction coordinator
Richard M. Rubin .... property master (as Dick Rubin)
 
Sound Department
John L. Bury .... sound (as John Bury)
Jack Woods .... sound editor
 
Special Effects by
Pat Dinga .... special effects
 
Visual Effects by
Ray Mercer .... optical effects
 
Costume and Wardrobe Department
Marjorie Corso .... wardrobe
 
Music Department
Eve Newman .... music editor
Al Simms .... music coordinator
 
Other crew
Jack W. Cash .... production assistant (as Jack Cash)
 

Production CompaniesDistributors
Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

Also Known As:
Edgar Allan Poe's Tales of Terror (USA) (alternative title)
Poe's Tales of Terror
more
Runtime:
89 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Color (Pathé Colour)
Aspect Ratio:
2.35 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Certification:
USA:Approved (PCA #20234) | USA:Unrated (video release) | UK:15 (video rating) (1993) | UK:X (original rating) (cut) | Argentina:13 | Sweden:15 | Australia:M

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
For the story "The Black Cat", Vincent Price based his character of Fortunado on Ernie Kovacs's television character Percy Dovetonsils. more
Quotes:
[first lines]
Driver: Ma'am, I have to get back to Boston.
more
Movie Connections:

FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
4 out of 5 people found the following review useful.
A Very Odd Yet Interesting Film, 31 May 2007
5/10
Author: smartcookie326 from United States

As a fan of both vintage horror films and Poe, I knew I had to see this one. I was familiar with Poe's Morella and The Black Cat, so I wanted to see how the film treatment compared. I hadn't yet read The Facts in the Case of M. Valdemir.

In short, I was not too impressed with the first and third stories in the movie, but the second one was very funny. I watched it with my 11-year-old son, and he enjoyed it as well.

It was interesting to see how elements of the Poe stories were worked into the film. The writer(s) used not only the 3 sub-titular stories as inspiration, but drew from other stories and poems. Someone who is familiar with Poe's writings will notice several familiar names (Lenore from The Raven, Annabel from Annabel Lee, Fortunato, Luchresi, and Montresor from The Cask of Amontillado). The Black Cat segment is really a blending of that story with The Cask of Amontillado, which is a very interesting combination indeed...especially since it results in a downright funny (albiet VERY darkly funny) story, as there isn't much funny about either Poe story.

Overall, I'm glad I saw it, although I doubt that I'll watch it again.

Was the above review useful to you?
more (36 total)

Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Tales of Terror (1962)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
bad movie...SPOILERS AHEAD devious0
Peter Lore makes this from ok to excellent rstonesfan
Morella maxvaughn
This is one great movie! wtl471629
Does anyone know if this back in print rstonesfan
more

Recommendations

If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
- - - - -
Due occhi diabolici Madhouse Psycho Vertigo Freeway
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
Show more recommendations

Related Links

Full cast and crew Company credits External reviews
News articles IMDb Comedy section IMDb USA section
Add this title to MyMovies

You may report errors and omissions on this page to the IMDb database managers. They will be examined and if approved will be included in a future update. Clicking the 'Update' button will take you through a step-by-step process.