Tales of Terror (1962)
Average Rating: 6.3/10
Reviews Counted: 12
Fresh: 8 | Rotten: 4
No consensus yet.
Release Date: Jul 4, 1962 Wide
liked it
Average Rating: 3.4/5
User Ratings: 4,847
Movie Info
Roger Corman's Tales of Terror stars Vincent Price in a trio of short stories, liberally adapted by Richard Matheson from the works of Edgar Allan Poe. The film gets off to a rousing start with "Morella," in which Price's bitterness over the long-ago death of his wife results in tragedy for his estranged daughter Maggie Pierce. The last of the three terror-filled tales, "The Case of Mr. Valdemar," finds Price being put into a state of suspended animation by the diabolical Basil Rathbone; when
Jul 4, 1962 Wide
Sep 19, 2000
American International Picture
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Cast
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Vincent Price
Fortunato, Locke, Valde... -
Peter Lorre
Montresor -
Basil Rathbone
Carmichael -
Debra Paget
Helene -
Maggie Pierce
Lenora -
Leona Gage
Morella -
Joyce Jameson
Annabel -
David Frankham
Dr. James -
Scotty Brown
Servant -
Wally Campo
Bartender -
Edmund Cobb
Driver -
Alan Dewit
Chairman -
John Hackett
Policemen [The Black Ca... -
Lennie Weinrib
Policeman -
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All Critics (14) | Top Critics (2) | Fresh (8) | Rotten (4) | DVD (10)
An irreproachable one-stop shop for somebody looking to have a undemanding night with a CinemaScope Gothic shocker.
[VIDEO] Roger Corman's status as a reliable creator of pulpy low-budget horror movies was firmly established by 1962, when he made "Tales of Terror."
A lavish-looking, stylish piece of work.
The film should appeal to fans of the weird and those with a campy sense of humor more than those who are more serious about drama and Poe.
Não deixa de ser problemático que o mais eficaz dos episódios seja justamente aquele que carregue no humor (e, por sinal, Price e Lorre estão divertidíssimos em suas cenas conjuntas).
Fun scares with Vincent Price and Peter Lorre via Roger Corman.
Among the least of the Corman-Price Poe pictures, but rendered imperishable by its hilarious/horrific wine-tasting scene between Peter Lorre and Vincent Price.
A wonderful addition to the Poe-AIP canon.
Anthology horror worthy of a stormy night.
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Foreign Titles
- Tales of Terror (1962) (DE)
- Tales of Terror (1962) (UK)


Morella: The most bitter and moody of the three segments. A pretty heart-breaking story of the shattered relationship between a father and daughter. Both Maggie Pierce and Vincent Price are good and really sell the tense relationship of the characters. Overall, a pretty solid segment despite the rushed and nonsensical ending.
The Black Cat: Combines elements from not only Poe's 'The Black Cat', but also 'The Cask of Amontillado'. This one is mostly played up for laughs. Peter Lorre plays a drunk jerk and he executes the part very well. He is unlikable but also funny and his scenes with Vincent Price are the highlights (the best bit being the wine tasting competition). Definitely the best segment.
The Case of Mr. Valdemar: The creepiest tale in the movie. Basil Rathbone plays a hypnotist who takes things too far when he traps Vincent Price's character in between life and death. Rathbone is very disturbing in the role and the idea of being trapped in your body is very terrifying. The ending is pretty shocking and it comes very close to capturing the gothic horror of Poe's stories.
Overall: This was a pretty well-rounded horror anthology. The stories are well-told and Prices narration throughout adds to the creepy atmosphere. Fully recommended for a dark Halloween night.