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The Curse of the Living Corpse
Updated 3/31/2008.
cast
Candace Hilligoss, Roy Scheider, Helen Warren, Margot Hartman, Robert Milli, Hugh Franklin, Dino Narizzano, Linda Donovan, J. Frank Lucas, Jane Bruce, Paul Haney, George Cotton, and William Blood.
film background
The Curse of the Living Corpse is Del Tenney's best directorial effort, and this film led the drive-in double bill with Tenney's best-known film, The Horror of Party Beach (1964). Shot in 1963 on a creepy estate in Connecticut purchased by his father-in-law, Tenney created the story of the film after coming up with the title; he used the most frequently occuring words in then-contemporary horror films: curse, living, and corpse. Also, this film is Tenney's only period piece, taking place in 1892.
plot
The plot of the film revolves around a dark, scary mansion, owned by Rufus Sinclair who has seemingly recently died. Sinclair feared being buried alive (much like the plot of The Pit and the Pendulum), and in his will set up a series of actions for family members to take, ensuring that a live burial wouldn't happen. He threatens revenge from the grave if his wishes aren't granted. When his benefactors gather in the mansion for the reading of the will, their greed results in the violation of Sinclair's will provisions. This begins the slaughter of nearly everyone in the house, until the interesting climax, which I won't spoil here.
LEFT: Original poster from The Curse of the Living Corpse. RIGHT: The cook's (Jane Bruce) head has been chopped off and left on the dinner table for the horrified guests
This fun horror film has a number of shocking elements and has Tenney's best cast, including Roy Scheider (in his first film), Candace Hilligoss (from Carnival of Souls), Robert Milli (who was Adam Thorpe on TV's The Guiding Light from 1972-1981), Hugh Franklin (best known for his role as Dr. Charles Tyler on ABC's All My Children from 1970 to 1986), and Tenney's beautiful wife Margot Hartman has a starring role in the picture.
LEFT: Candace Hilligoss as Deborah Benson. CENTER: With Helen Warren, Candace Hilligoss, Margot Hartman, and Dino Narizzano. RIGHT: The shadowy figure enacts the revenge of Rufus Sinclair
Released in May 1964, Curse of the Living Corpse, along with the second half of the bill, The Horror of Party Beach, earned more than a million dollars in the initial release, a tidy sum given the budget of about $120,000 for production of both films.
LEFT: Abigail Sinclar (Helen Warren) returns the broach to her dead husband. RIGHT: The shadowy figure drowns Vivian Sinclair (Margot Hartman) in her bath
The Del Tenney Collection [DVD] DVD
Two-disc set includes "The Horror of Party Beach," "The Curse of the Living Corpse," and "Violent Midnight."
The Horror Of Party Beach (1964)/The Curse Of The Living Corpse [DVD](1964) DVD
Frankie and Annette never had problems like the kids in "The Horror of Party Beach," as toxic waste, sea slime and dead sailors combine near a seaside resort to create aquatic monsters eager to prey on surf daddies and beach bunnies. Features the hit song "Zombie Stomp" by The Del-Aires; John Scott, Alice Lyon and Eulabelle Moore star. Next, a deceased millionaire in late 19th-century New England returns from the grave to personally bestow upon his horrified family a bloody bequeathal. "The Curse of the Living Corpse," from "Party Beach" director Del Tenney, stars Helen Warren. Candace Hilligoss and (in his film debut) Roy Scheider. 162 min. total. Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono; audio commentary; interview; photo gallery; theatrical trailers.
from amazon.com
curse of the living corpse links
The Bad Movie Report: The Curse of the Living Corpse
Visit this site for a more in-depth and illustrated discussion of The Curse of the Living Corpse.
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