The Comedy of Terrors
Tags: comedy, murder

Plot synopsis:
Set in a late 19th century in a New England town, the film tells of unscrupulous undertaker Waldo Trumbull (Price) and his assistant, Felix Gillie (Lorre), who make a habit of re-using the coffins of the people they are supposed to bury. Also a part of the household are Trumball's old (and senile) business partner Mr. Hinchley (Karloff), who originally started the business, and the beautiful Amaryllis (Joyce Jameson), Trumbull's neglected wife and Hinchley's daughter, who has dreams (or rather delusions) of becoming a great opera singer and with whom Gillie is passionately in love.
When customers (and therefore money) begin to become scarce and money-grubbing landlord Mr. Black (Rathbone) begins demanding his unpaid rent, Trumbull and the unwilling Gillie make a nighttime visit to the home of Mr. Phipps, an elderly gentleman with a very young and attractive wife. Trumbull smothers Phipps and in the morning makes a fortuitous return so that the Hinchley and Trumbull funeral parlor will get the job of burying Mr. Phipps. However, on the day of the funeral, Trumbull discovers to his horror that Mrs. Phipps has decamped with all of the money and household furnishings ... and, incidentally, without paying Trumbull's fee.
Receiving another demand for immediate payment of rent, Trumbull and Gillie decide to murder Mr. Black, who has bouts of deathlike sleep, something that Trumbull and Gillie are unaware of.
After discovering Gillie (who had climbed into the house through an upstairs window and escaped the same way), Black seemingly dies of a heart attack but revives in the funeral parlor's cellar. After a prolonged chase and struggle to keep Black inside a coffin, Trumbull knocks Black out with a mallet to the head and places the supposedly deceased Black in his family crypt, returning home to celebrate his new-found wealth. However, Black awakes again, escapes from the coffin and crypt and returns to the funeral parlor, quoting random lines from Shakespeare's Macbeth (from which he was reciting from a script at the time of his first cataleptic attack). Humorous events follow as Black chases Trumbull and Gillie around the house with an ax before (finally) being shot and (presumably) killed by Trumbull after a lengthy monologue.
More complications arise when Amaryllis believes Gillie to be dead (he's only unconscious) and believing Trumbull to have killed both him and Black threatens to go to the police, whereupon Trumbull strangles her. Gillie comes to and seeing Amaryllis' body goes after Trumbull in revenge. The two men engage in a comical fight (Gillie with a sword and Trumbull with a poker) until Trumbull hits Gillie on the head with the poker, knocking him out, and Trumbull collapses in a depressed heap on the floor.
Gillie and Amaryllis come to at the same time and elope together. Hinchley appears and gives Trumbull some "medicine" (actually poison that Trumbull had been attempting to administer to Hinchley earlier in the film). The "medicine" works as intended and Trumbull drops dead as Hinchley makes his way back to bed, oblivious to the fact he has just committed murder.
At the end of the film, Black exhibits an allergic reaction to Cleopatra the cat, indicating that he is still alive.

Review: Fun horror /comedy with an exceptional quartet who provides much fun : Price , Karloff , Lorre and Rathbone .
This supreme adventure in terror and humor based on the novel and screenplay by Richard Matheson deals with two deranged undertakers (Vincent Price and Peter Lorre) who take bad ways to insuring their continued employment , a Funeral Parlor called ¨Wichley and Trumbull¨.
And the end takes place a funny duel between Price and Rathbone.This is more of a satire than a true terror movie , it is immaculately staged , stylishly realized , very literate , rich in atmosphere , confidently made and plenty of eye-popping scenes .
The movie is realized in the same style to the successful adaptation Edgar Allen Poe series , the cycle of ¨Tales of Terror¨ , and especially ¨The Raven¨ also with the trio Price,Lorre,Karloff directed by Roger Corman and produced by James H Nicholson and Samuel Z Arkoff .
The scenes between him and Joyce Jameson (an argument for hearing protectors if ever there was one) are beautiful and absurd in their ingenuousness, as if the 60 year old Peter Lorre was but a smitten schoolboy mooning over a damsel.The scenes at the dinner table are perfect in their comic timing, the decrepit Boris Karloff sitting peacefully unaware of Vincent Price's palpable loathing of him and his daughter, occasionally coming out with gems like "The Egyptians used to pull the brains out through the nose with a hook!" before returning to drinking his milk in a charming and doddering manner.Basil Rathbone, however, is the hammy fist of the production, so to speak.
Lorre turns around and leaves, stating quite audibly, "Ungrateful employer." The line is delivered like it comes from some left wing play of the turn of the 20th Century.It is a funny little movie, and well worth watching..
Boris Karlof is great fun as his aging father in law, and Peter Lorre equally funny as Prices partner!
Also starring is the wonderful Basil Rathbone as the rich landlord who never dies, and Joyce Jameson as the undertakers neglected wife.This is  maybe the greatest gothic comedy ever!
The alcoholic director of the Hinchley & Trumbull Funeral Parlor Waldo Trumbull (Vincent Price) is a cheater that has married Amaryllis Trumbull (Joyce Jameson) in a marriage of convenience to get control of the business of her father Amos Hinchley (Boris Karloff).
The veterans Vincent Price, Peter Lorre, Boris Karloff and Basil Rathbone have incredibly comic performances.
This delightful horror comedy romp stars horror legends Vincent Price and Peter Lorre as an undertaker and his assistant, who have problems paying the rent due to a lack of customers.
This isn't the first time these three great stars have worked together, but seeing them on screen will always be a treat for the horror fan and it certainly proves to be in this movie, especially since it's done with a big smile on it's face and its obvious that all concerned had a good time making it.Vincent Price isn't an actor that I would expect to blend well with straight comedy, as I'm used to seeing him in more macabre outings, but he is really good at it.
Peter Lorre is disgusting but lovable as the assistant caught between Price's evil ways and his lovely (opera-punishing) wife (played with gusto and terrible audibility by Joyce Jameson).
Vincent Price steals the show and is brilliant, and he is supported wonderfully by Peter Lorre whose character spends a lot of time being demeaned by Price and Basil Rathbone, who is a very suave and charismatic actor and his "what place...is THIS?!" is iconic.
THE COMEDY OF TERRORS Aspect ratio: 2.35:1 (Panavision)Sound format: MonoThe proprietor of a debt-ridden funeral parlor (Vincent Price) seeks to drum up a little business by resorting to murder, but one of his 'victims' (Basil Rathbone) is merely cataleptic and refuses to lie down and die...Eager to re-team their 'triumverate of terror' following the unexpected commercial success of THE RAVEN (1963), AIP assembled Price, Peter Lorre and Boris Karloff for this second helping of macabre black comedy, adding Rathbone to an already potent brew and hiring much of the same production personnel, including cinematographer Floyd Crosby and set designer Daniel Haller (later a director in his own right).
- steals the picture from his high-profile co-stars, playing the dotty, Shakespeare-spouting owner of Price's funeral parlor whose verbal gymnastics alone are worth the price of admission (he warns Price and his cohorts they "face the incommodious prospect of taking up residence in the street" if they don't pay their hefty rent arrears!).But Richard Matheson's tongue-in-cheek script is quite bleak in places: Price plays a sarcastic, bad-tempered drunk who lords it over his hapless assistant (Lorre), treats his untalented, opera-loving wife (Joyce Jameson) with open contempt, and is prepared to commit first degree murder in order to sustain his fortunes!
It's been a long time since I have watched this film - all I remembered was that I liked it - then I re-watched the film recently and I have to say this really is a good dark comedy.Price is quite humorous as the drunken undertaker Waldo Trumbull along with his lock-picking side kick Felix Gillie played by Lorre.
Price and Lorre prove to the viewers they are quite the comedy duo.Jameson plays Amaryllis Trumbull the wife of the staggering drunk Waldo.
LOL -- Rathbone plays Black quite well.Yes if you like older dark comedies then you are sure to enjoy this film.
both movies are dark comedies and star the threesome Price, Karloff and Lorre.9/10.
It's a spoof of itself, through and through, and it looks like the cast had a good time with it.My three favorites are here: Vincent Price plays the unscrupulous mortician, whose impatience brings his floundering business some new customers.
A scheming undertaker named Trumbull (Vincent Price)decides to dig up much-needed business through unscrupulous and deadly means...only certain folks don't seem to want to stay dead!This Dark Comedy featuring an all-star Horror cast with Vincent Price, Peter Lorre, Boris Karloff and Basil Rathbone (who actually quotes blank verse throughout the film) is just loads of fun to watch.
Watch this movie with Vincent Price as Waldo the desperate undertaker and his assistant Peter Lorre, the movie also has Boris Karlof who plays a funny part.
Also on hand is Boris Karloff as Price's father-in-law, Basil Rathbone as an obnoxious landlord and Joe E.
Karloff is sadly wasted and Rathbone chews the scenery.So, this is a historic movie for teaming up such great horror stars, but it gives them nothing to work with.
It is obvious that Vincent Price and Peter Lorre were having a great time doing this movie.
Vincent Price and Peter Lorre make quite a funny pair in The Comedy of Terrors.
Okay, so Trumbull (Price) and his funeral associate Felix Gille (Lorre) have to drum up business for Mr. Black (Rathbone) or they'll be thrown in the street along with Trumbull's wife Amaryllis (Jameson), her father Hinchley (Karloff), and the cat Cleopatra (Rhubarb, a.k.a. Orangey).
In something that could only star the three stars of 1963's "The Raven", Amos Hinchley's (Boris Karloff) funeral parlor is short of money due to two factors: not many people are dying, and owner Waldo Trumbull (Vincent Price) is the most incompetent manager ever.
The A.I.P. cycle had edged towards wry humour with "The Raven" and they took another stab at it her, albeit rather more unsuccessfully.The cast of Vincent Price, Peter Lorre, Boris Karloff and Basil Rathbone is exceptional, but this film proves that assembling them together in a comedy-horror film was ill-conceived.The plot has potential, but the script is laboured and painfully drawn-out with the odd memorable moment.
Vincent Price and Peter Lorre look comfortable playing things in a tongue-in-cheek fashion, but Boris Karloff just doesn't fit in here.
Incredibly, Basil Rathbone plays his role with more ham than Vincent Price - he is the best thing in the film!On a technical note, Price's sword fight with Lorre at the end of the film does not hide the stunt-doubles particularly well, further undermining the film's quality.All in all, a major disappointment, but I have no doubt that individuals will wish to find out for themselves given the quality cast!.
"Comedy of Terrors" features stars like Boris Karloff, Vincent Price and Peter Lorre, the latter one being a favourite actor of mine.
This film is an enjoyable mixture of comedy and horror movie - the kind you preferably watch on Halloween night, but also can watch any other time of the year, of course.
Vincent Price, Boris Karloff, Basil Rathbone AND Peter Lorre - If this cast does not make a film a must-see for any Horror lover, I don't know what does.
The film's four stars alone guarantee a great time for any Horror lover, and the film is also filled with macabre and yet lovable humor that every friend of old-fashioned black comedy should appreciate.The ruthless Waldo Trumbull (Vincent Price) is the owner of a funeral parlor in 19th century new England.
Trumbull, who treats his wife (the full-bosomed Joyce Jameson), his father in-law (Boris Karloff) and his only employee Felix Gillie(Peter Lorre) with great contempt, is running out of money due to a low death rate.
Since the greedy Trumbull, who has an affection for alcohol and money, has to pay his rent, he has to be imaginative in order to keep his business running...The absolute greatest performance comes, of course, from the great Vincent Price.
The Deity must have sensed something to get Peter Lorre, Basil Rathbone, Boris Karloff, and Vincent Price altogether in one film.
He came out of retirement for his part, Brown had quit after Some Like It Hot. Both of those films would have been good roles to go out on.Best moment for me, Joyce Jameson caterwauling He Is Not Dead, But Sleeping at Rathbone's funeral and Rhubarb the cat's reactions to it.This is a great film in which a whole bunch of film legends try to top each other with overacting.
Legends of horror cinema Boris Karloff, Peter Lorre and Vincent Price are united once more, after "The Raven" one year earlier, and once more in a film that is primarily a comedy instead of a horror.
With legendary "B" movie director Jacques Tourneur (THE CAT PEOPLE, OUT OF THE PAST) at the helm and Oscar-winning cinematographer Floyd Crosby behind the camera, THE COMEDY OF TERRORS has a lot going for it.Price plays Waldo Trumbull, a less than scrupulous mortician who plays a pro-active role in drumming up business; with his bumbling assistant, Felix Gillie (Lorre), he creates a fresh corpse whenever he needs ready cash.
And given the smart and witty script by Richard Matheson ("Twilight Zone," "The Night Stalker," THE OMEGA MAN, DUEL, etc.), the old troupers seem to relish getting material that is several cuts above what is usually found in "B" movies and episodic TV.Though Tourneur's direction is a bit sluggish and the pace of the comedy a tad slow by contemporary standards, the film nonetheless has a nice feel to it.
Karloff (who, like Lorre, was very ill at the time of production) has limited screen time as Price's addled father-in-law while buxom Joyce Jameson plays Price's torturously off-key opera-singing wife, on whom Lorre has cast a lusting eye.
There is some good material (Price's snide comments are the best parts of the script) but all-in-all, the film is only moderately amusing (in a nostalgic way) and is more interesting as part of the long cinematic farewell to horror icons Lorre and Karloff.
And it was interesting to watch him in a movie such as this."The Comedy of Terrors" had a good cast ensemble, which performed quite well and brought their characters to life nicely on the screen.Hardly a Vincent Price classic movie, but still entertaining enough for what it turned out to be..
Surely there was potential in this to be a TV sitcom, at the short and sweet run time of only 83 minutes it feels like an extended TV episode.Right of the bat the exposition explaining the film's set up is a joy to listen to with the perfect comic timing from Vincent Price mercilessly insulting everyone to Boris Karloff's random one-liners.
Despite the film's macabre tone, it does have an innocent element to it such as Price's reaction to Peter Lorre's poorly made coffin, "No one in their right mind would be caught dead in a thing like that"; nothing beats a distinguished actor delivering a corny pun.Basil Rathbone is presented as the villain of the film, partially due to him being Basil Rathbone acting in an antagonist manner however his character isn't doing anything wrong, he's just trying to collect the debt he is owed from his tenants.
After The Adventures of Robin Hood, The Comedy of Terrors has to be Basil Rathbone's best ever moments on screen, showing off the full range of his talents from his swordsmanship and ability to recite Shakespeare all while hamming it up.Vincent Price's anti-hero is one real bad guy of the film, causing misery to those around him.
It features a group of masters of horror: Vincent Price, Peter Lorre, Boris Karloff, and Basil Rathbone.
All four stars, who together or apart have appeared in countless film classics, both horror and non, have their moments in this short, but delectable film, which was directed by Jacques Tourneur, who directed such classics as "Cat People" and "Out of the Past," and written by Richard Matheson, whose work included episodes of "The Twilight Zone," "Thriller," and "The Alfred Hitchcock Hour." The low-budget American-International film is set in a vaguely Gothic locale somewhere in Europe in an undetermined past era; fog enshrouds the graveyards, horses still rule, and the local gravediggers, like Joe E.
"The Comedy of Terrors" will delight fans of old horror films, and is a must-see for those who relish campy turns by Vincent Price and Basil Rathbone..
Great sets and wonderful performances by Karloff, Lorre and Rathbone don't quite overcome the reliance on unfunny slapstick and Price's hammy delivery of lines that are not very funny.
To make ends meet, he does some dirty deeds and makes his business increase.With Vincent Price starring, Boris Karloff is a smaller supporting role, Basil Rathbone as the antagonist, and Peter Lorre as Price's bumbling sidekick, you know this film has to be great.
Oh, and Orangey the Cat (credited as Rhubarb) appears, too, who has done a fine number of films, including playing Neutron in "This Island Earth".There is a Shakespearean undertone (especially given the title is a play on his "Comedy of Errors"), which I think works well for Rathbone in particular, and Price to a lesser degree (both men are classic actors).
By Price being drunk half the film, his ramblings are perhaps the best of the quips, though Karloff has some good old man lines.
Plus, getting the talents of Vincent Price, Peter Lorre, Boris Karloff, Basil Rathbone and a cameo by Joe E.
I'm a collector of CLASSIC horror films and (remembering this trio's triumphs of the past), watching this film was a sad experience.Karloff is absolutely wasted, Rathbone doesn't seem to have the faintest idea what he's doing, and Lorre's acting is as dead as the corpes he's burying!The only thing that keeps this film going is the over-acting of Vincent Price.
Vincent Price, Peter Lorre, Boris Karloff, Peter Lorre AND Basil Rathbone...
If I knew this was a pure comedy and nothing to do with horror, I probably would've skipped the film, but I didn't know Price and Lorre could be just as entertaining as they were in "Tales of Terror", even though the latter is a better film.
Comedy of Terrors, The (1964) ** 1/2 (out of 4) All-star spoof of horror movies features Vincent Price, Peter Lorre, Boris Karloff and Basil Rathbone working with a screenplay by Richard Matheson and being director by the great Tourneur.
Lorre is quite good in the film although he too finds himself not doing that much except for looking at Price's wife in the film played by Joyce Jameson.
I'm not sure what the deal is giving a cat named "Orangey" film credit as "Rhubarb" and then calling him "Cleopatra" in the movie itself - probably an in joke by the movie's cast and crew.Anyway - a lot of fun if you like this sort of thing, but don't be expecting "Monty Python" or "Airplane!" - this is all about mood and setting and slow burns and good actors playing bad people..
Every time Vincent Price's character (Waldo Trumbull) thought he murdered his landlord, Mr. Black (Rathbone) he would be wrong.
Not exactly in the same class as A&C Meet Frankenstein, but a great cast with Basil Rathbone, Boris Karloff, Vincent Price, Peter Lorre and Joe E.
His wife (Joyce Jameson), assistant (Peter Lorre) and father in law (Boris Karloff The Great)are all targets of his drunken frustration.
Even though Boris Karloff, Joyce Jameson and Peter Lorre are fantastic, (so is Joe E Brown by the way, "have thee patience, have thee patience)I found Basil Rathbone's performance just gorgeous.
Especial mention should go to Rhubarb who carries off his role with aplomb and holds his own against the divine Messieurs Karloff,Jameson Price, Lorre,Rathbone and Joe.E.Brown.
Vincent Price, Boris Karloff, Peter Lorre and Basil Rathbone make this a formidable 'Who's Who' ensemble of frightful character film actors from the early to mid-20th century.
So now for this film, This film starts off with Vincent Price and Peter Lorre finding out that they have run their funeral parlor into the ground,and need to come up with cash to pay their landlord played by Bail Rathbone.
I want to use 'Comedy of Terrors' as a discussion point because I think it is the most blatant example of Price's impact on the horror film.Karloff, Rathbone, and to a lesser extent Peter Lorre were all icons of the horror genre.