The Abominable Dr. Phibes

The Abominable Dr. Phibes (1971)

Runtime: 94 minutes

Directed by: Robert Fuest

Starring: Vincent Price, Joseph Cotten, Peter Jeffrey, Norman Jones, Virginia North

From: AIP

Not what I was expecting... but that is not a negative.

Last night this played on MGMHD and as this shamefully hadn't been seen by me before, it was a must-watch for this time of year... not just because Vincent Price should be viewed each Halloween season. The opening was amazing: a figure wearing a black cloak is playing a giant red organ (phrasing...) as it rises up into a spooky backdrop as bright blue credits are shown. It then gets even more incredible from there: the camera pulls out and this figure dances with a rather fetching young brunette-Virginia North, a dame I wish would have done more than a few movies-as a house band then plays. It isn't until later that you realize it is a mechanical band a la The Rock-afire Explosion you saw at Showbiz Pizza Place way back when. Rather wild, and then there is a few deaths shown right away until the setup is explained.

The opening for certain sets the tone; there is an undercurrent of humor throughout... thankfully much of it was pretty funny to me. The titular Dr. Phibes was presumed dead in an accident but that was a ruse; he gets revenge on those surgeons who were unable to save his wife's life during surgery. Via photos you see the wife was none other than Caroline Munro; personally, I'd be upset too if I was married to her and she died! Anyhow, he literally brings down Biblical plagues upon those men (and women) of medicine... this means locusts, frogs, rats, etc. Some of the deaths seemed straight out of a Saw sequel; this is not something to take that seriously yet that tone works for the film. So do all the strange touches... the period music-this is set in the 1920's-sometimes colorful sets, North always accompanying Phibes and sometimes playing a cello (?!) during the death scenes, etc.

Besides Price being awesome in his role without having to say a lot, the detectives were pretty amusing and it's always nice seeing Joseph Cotten in a big role. Plus, there are moments that may only tickle me pink, such as Terry-Thomas getting his jollies from watching stag films where a woman is writhing around w/ a snake. The Abominable Dr. Phibes is pretty wild and it is a blessing that it was not too weird or idiosyncratic for my tastes.