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• 'Hello Joe'

  • Rodney Golden
  • 10/31/09

  I forgot to mention the cameo appearance of Joseph Cotten (one of my mom's favorite actors when she lived) in this film adds a suave degree of added good taste to the 'bygone era' of hosting elegance, resurrected this Halloween in my mind's eye and aspirations for the future. Never too late to dream and make it real!

• Wonderfully Creative Camp!

  • Ian Z. Anderson
  • 10/31/09

  Whether it was the intention of the director to create a cult/camp classic, I am unsure, though he succeeded in doing just that. I sincerely doubt that "Phibes" was created to truly terrify an increasingly sophisticated and jaded horror audience (think: "Halloween" debuted the following year, 1972). Rather, I believe "Phibes" is a self-aware homage - the last hurrah, if you will - of a dying style of Corman-esque camp/horror. Yes, it is extraordinarily dated in an umber of ways, not the least of which is the production design. I must say, however, that I thoroughly enjoyed seeing "1920s England" through the swingin' filter of the late 1960s/early 1970s. Another reviewer has pointed out Vincent Price's "deficiency" as an actor, though I'm afraid he might misunderstand Mr. Price's forté. Mr. Price was, at the time, a remnant of the bygone era of pre-method acting. While Mr. Price has starred in a number of "classic" horror films, it's important to consider their context. Few were high-budget major studio releases, few are truly frightening to modern audiences, most would fall under the category of "camp." It's also important to understand that Mr. Price embraced his camp/horror roles with a wonderful sense of humor. In the end, if you enjoy Corman and Hammer films - campy, creative and, at times, a bit eerie if not outright terrifying - you'll enjoy The "Abominable Dr. Phibes."

• The Abominable Dr. Phibes (1971)

  • Jay Higgins
  • 10/31/09

  Abominable is right. This so called "horror" film would frighten an insecure six year old. Vincent Price's acting is pathetically bad, way too campy and over the top. He never was much of an actor. The film is stupid, cheap looking and badly dated.

• Miss a trip to London England?!

  • Steven Dudderar
  • 12/1/06

  I need to preface this message by stating that I was only 15 years old at the time. In 1974, my parents offered to take me on a trip to London England. At the same time as the vacation, The Abominable Dr. Phibes was going to be playing on a local TV station. For a moment, I considered passing on the England vacation, because I LOVED this movie. Long story short; I went to England and I haven't seen this movie again since the 1970's. Tonight (12-01-06) I will finally get to see it again. Vincent Price is great.

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