CBB Presents The Bear Cave of Terror - Ep. 15 - Masque of the Red Death (1964)

We've talked about the gothic horror coming out of the UK from Hammer Studios, but what was the US answer to those colorful, gripping tales of terror? Roger Corman's Edgar Allan Poe cycle of films from American International Pictures, of course! In this episode of the Bear Cave of Terror, we're joined by Rob Staeger, who brings with him Corman's 1964 masterpiece, The Masque of the Red Death, starring none other than the macabre talents and eyebrows of Vincent Price himself! We look at the colorful, symbolic spectacle, adapting a short but ever-timely story of Death popping by a little party and making a mess of things. From combining the plots of this and another Poe short story, Hop-Frog, to the inclusion of Satan as a motivation for Prince Prospero's sadistc ways, Corman presents a feast for the eyes, enhanced by Price's sonorous portrayal. You've got the uncomfortable use of a child actor for an adult woman, metaphorical sexual assault by stereotypical shamans, some pretty snarky kills, and a technicolor assortment of plauges with their own avatar to round it out. And don't forget the Death By Fosse dance sequence! Beautiful, weird, with a mix of social commentary and Corman's love of exploitation, this was definitely a great film to watch, and even more fun to talk about - have a listen!

Additional Resources for the film:

"The Masque of the Red Death Review - horribly apt Poe adaptation" by Peter Bradshaw, Thea Guardian 1/21/21

"Masque of the Red Death" comic adaptation by Archie Goodwin, Tom Sutton, Eerie #12 (1967)

"Masque of the Red Death - A Retrospective" by Steve Brodrowski, 11/20/07 - blog.cinefantastique.com

Horrorfilmhistory.com - ed. by Karina Wilson, 2005-2025