Vincent Price–The Ultimate Classic Movie Villain
Who could ever forget the most prominent voices in horror history? The name behind the voice is none other than Vincent Price, and his voice filled American homes for several decades. The voice of Vincent Leonard Price Jr., born on May 27th, 1911 in St Louis, Missouri, is a fixture of pretty much all of what people see in horror films. Son to Vincent Leonard Price Sr., the president of the famous National Candy Company, and Marguerite Willcox, this fine young man was a fine art and history major at Yale University and was a member of Alpha Sigma Phi. It was in the 1930s that Vincent became interested in theater, and he began his professional career in acting in 1935. This strapping man at 6’ 4” tall was a prime example of the handsome tall American actor that many people in the world associate with film and theater.
Known for his B-movie style of horror films, this American actor was best related to the very distinctive voice and serio-comic style that made him a household name. Many people related Vincent to the late Boris Karloff, as he was a tall and well-polished actor with charm and stage grace. Vincent’s first professional film endeavor was in 1938, with the film Service de Luxe. This film laid a path of open doors to which he was not afraid to enter when it came to acting. Following this wonderful performance Vincent starred in continual films that earned him notoriety including the 1940 film Brigham Young and the 1944 film Laura. Perhaps his most acclaimed performances were in the early 50s as he was involved in his mainstay, which was horror. Vincent’s first success in this role was in The House Of Wax in 1953. This film was the very first full 3-D film to ever reach the top ten in the North American box offices, and became an instant cult classic.
What was said to be one of the best horror action flicks of its time, The Fly starring Vincent Price in 1958, also garnered much in the way of attention. Another huge hit was in the year 1959 was House On Haunted Hill. What was a tongue and check type humor that Price seemed so famous for became the mainstay of his acting and voice over career. Not only was he welcomed as a talented and competent actor, his voice alone was what many directors and producers sought. Much of the success of Vincent Price was attributed to the time early to mid 60s, where B-movie horrors were pretty much at the height of their popularity. Some of the 60s low budget successes included:
House of Usher –1960
The Pit and the Pendulum (1961)
The Raven (1963)
The Masque of the Red Death (1964)
The Tomb of Ligeia (1965)
Tales of Terror (1962)
This fine list of great 60s B-movies was also followed by a wonderful list of equally B-rated movies for the 70s, which included such classics as:
The Abominable Dr. Phibes (1971)
Theatre of Blood (1973)
Included in the works that Vincent Price was involved with are the readinging of Basil Rathbone, and Edgar Allen Poe. All of the combined readings from fine poets and authors with the movies and theater presentations that he was involved with surely made himself a very rounded entertainer indeed. There were a very few actors or performers that could amuse as well as creep out an audience as the likes of Vincent Price. This gift that he had, with the silver tongue and erie disposition was what many studios were looking for, and seldom found.
Until Vincent’s death on October 25th ,1993, Vincent went out of his way to ensure that he captured the attention of the masses, unlike any other performer of his type. There will probably never be another performer of the likes of Vincent Price. His memorable performances within theater and movies alike will forever be etched in our minds as some of the greatest horror depictions of all time. Anyone looking to emulate the late great Vincent Price, will have much in the way to prove themselves and they surely will have their work cut out for them.
