The Comedy of Terrors

An undertaker who uses underhanded means to do business finds himself going under one last time, least he not work quick.

This legendary 1963 movie features such legendary stars as Vincent Price, Peter Lorre, and Boris Karloff. It is written by a legendary author, Richard Matheson and directed by the legendary Jacques Tourneur. It deserves a legendary review.

This ain’t it.

Let us get the details out of the way first.

This is the story of an underhanded drunk of an undertaker who is in desperate need of money. So much so that he supplements his clientele when the need arises. Adding him in this regard is a bungling burglar who is, honestly, more of a hindrance than help.

After a successful job, our… uh… “hero” finds himself accosted on the street by the man who holds the deed to his property. If the debt isn’t settled between the two, he will find himself out on the street. Thus another funeral must be arraigned with a quickness.

Things go downhill from there.

They don’t make movies like this any more. They can’t. The talent behind its creation simply isn’t there.

Look at the cast! Vincent Price, ham among hams, in his prime! Peter Lorre and Boris Karloff, past it but gamely trying! It even has Sherlock Holmes Basil Rathbone in it, going toe to toe with Price in the over acting department!

Then there’s the writing. Richard Matheson seldom slips with the wordage, and the dialogue and story here is great. Aiding in this is the fantastic Jacques Tourneur, who has himself unequalled films under his name. This should be a classic among classics.

Unfortunately it isn’t.

By this point in his career what was called of Lorre was more than a little beyond his ability. You could have a drinking game based on spotting his stunt double. Sadly easy seeing as it’s a younger man in a bad Peter Lorre mask. Once noticed, it’s hard to miss when it comes up.

Not helping is that while Tourneur, while an excellent Horror director, really isn’t that good of a Comedy director. We have over cranked scenes, scenes with “funny” sound effects, and the occasional goofy special effects.

Similar sentiment can be said about Matheson. Everything’s great and witty about the script; it’s just not as amusing as it could have been.

All that negative said, the important thing is that this film entertains. All the actors seem to be enjoying themselves immensely, with particular note going to Karloff. That man was glad not to play a killer or a monster and it shows.

To conclude: this is one of my favorite movies, and I think proof is that I can see a good movie when offered.

I just don’t watch very many.

Despite it’s flaws, this is a very good movie (1.5 points) with a cast clearly enjoying their work. I love this movie dearly and without out a trace of shame (2.0 points). Which is a nice change of pace.