A dastardly organ enthusiast and theology scholar takes revenge on the medical workers who failed to save the life of his beloved, in this bizarre and campy spectacle of art deco sets, elaborate executions, and mechanical jazz bands: cult horror classic, The Abominable Dr. Phibes.
Joseph Cotten and Vincent Price
Dr. Phibes may very well be a very bad and unpleasant character, but king of horror, Vincent Price is anything but abominable, playing the titular role. Price, by the early 70s, was well known for his florid delivery of sometimes sub-par dialogue. Here, he is poking subtle fun at himself, but without even speaking a word on camera! Price as a mute Dr. Phibes, using an elaborate machine to amplify the vibrations in his throat through an old fashioned victrola, plays up his persona as he winks along with a script that is perhaps best described as a spoof of Price’s earlier horror classics, (often helmed by the master of schlock, Roger Corman.)
But Phibes isn’t just riffing on Price’s past. It’s a visually exciting, fun and breezy horror/comedy that’s as much indebted to the wacky exploits of Inspector Clouseau in The Pink Panther, as it is a precursor to cat-and-mouse horror films with puzzle obsessed villains like Saw. And while it’s certainly not about to impress the gorehounds in search of the next level of bloody, cinematic excess, Phibes has more than enough flair, (its costumes, music and sets will leave you mesmerized) to satisfy your cinematic cravings.
And, with a solid supporting cast led by Joseph Cotten, (Citizen Kane) a knowing sense of humor, and a healthy dose of organ music, (yes, we’re biased here at the Senate) you might just find yourself overflowing with the nourishment that only cinema can provide: a complete audio and visual smorgasbord for yours eyes and ears.
Doors – 7:00 PM
Film – 8:00 PM
Tickets - $6
1hr 34min | PG-13 | Comedy/Horror | United Kingdom
The Senate Theater and The Detroit Theater Organ Society is supported by The Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs and The National Endowment for the Arts.
