The second Corman/Poe/AIP film flirts with greatness, but doesn't quite make it. It definitely has a stronger story than The House of Usher (even though it reuses many of the same elements), with John Kerr arriving at a mysterious castle investigating the death of his sister. Vincent Price is the dead lady's husband and he also has a sister, a best friend and a butler. I think it's the addition of these extra characters that helps make this feel more like a genuine feature length film.
The acting here is very iffy - Price hams it up (during some of his early crying scenes you might get the giggles) and John Kerr and Luana Anders are strickly amateur hour... though you do get used to all three as the film goes on. The real star is Daniel Haller's art direction, which is superb - big spooky castles, a torture chamber down stairs, and a magnificent pendulum. Floyd Crosby's photography and Les Baxter's music is excellent as well, and Barbara Steele is electric in her appearances, sexy and terrifying: you wish she'd done more in the Poe cycle.
Richard Matheson's script isn't bad but it lacks a little here and there. For instance, it feels a bit lazy how Kerr winds up under the pendulum (Price gets him mixed up with someone else), and once he's there he is totally passive. I mean, yes, I know he's chained - but how about him try to scream or get one arm free or something? (As it is, the butler saves the day). They don't use the rats who are specified in the short story. And I think it was a mistake to have two flashbacks so close to each other. Generally, though, this is an enjoyable, polished work with some terrific things about it.
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