THE CURSE OF THE LIVING CORPSE [1964]

 PART TWO OF MY DEL TENNEY DOUBLE FEATURE! 

It rather nice that I got both this film and THE HORROR OF PARTY BEACH paired on a DVD as a double feature because they go rather well together.  Whereas PARTY BEACH is the height of cinematic excellence putting every other film to shame, THE CURSE OF THE LIVING CORPSE is rather a quieter, less effective horror film which takes it's inspiration mostly from Edgar Allan Poe's short story "THE PREMATURE BURIAL" as well as the Roger Corman/AIP Poe films with Vincent Price AND somewhat of the feel of B&W horrors like MACABRE and THE SCREAMING SKULL. 

This is to say that CURSE is like a lighter carbon copy of these inspirations.  It's OK, don't get me wrong.  A diverting by-the-numbers horror film which holds your attention.  However, Del Tenney doesn't seem to be trying as hard here with more of a traditional story:  a rich patriarch who is terrified of being buried alive gathers his family together for the reading of his will in which all beneficiaries are required to do certain tasks to ensure he isn't buried alive.  If they fail in their tasks, not only will they lose their inheritances but also he will come back from the grave and kill them!

An entertaining premise which is filmed in a workmanlike manner.  CURSE is pretty interesting in the casting department, however.  This looks to be the first film of a very young Roy Scheider.  Yes, THAT Roy Scheider of JAWS, THE FRENCH CONNECTION and ALL THAT JAZZ fame.  It's rather discombobulating to see him amongst the proceedings as he is such a familiar face to show up in such a minor film.  But we all have to start somewhere!  But he isn't the ONLY familiar face in CURSE.  This is also one of the small handful of films featuring Candace Hilligoss; the star of cult classic CARNIVAL OF SOULS.  So all in all, CURSE OF THE LIVING CORPSE is an OK time waster.