This gothic horror melodrama insinuates that Edgar Allan Poe's evening in a mental institution led to his creation of some of the spookiest short stories and poems ever written. Yes, it's a good idea, but the way that is presented, it doesn't ring true. Robert Walker Jr. is completely believable as the young Poe, forced to commit his fiance to a mental institution after she comes to after being buried alive. Poe spend the night there to get her settled in and while wandering the halls, ends up in a pit of terror. this sequence is by far the scariest as the pit is filled with water and snakes become a nightmare as they slither onto the plank he is tied into.
Walker is surrounded by a terrific supporting cast, namely Cesar Romero as the Vincent Price like head of the institution with a mysterious wife (Carol Ohlmart of "The House on Haunted Hill" fame) and doctor Tom Drake, as well as Romero's Igor like assistant and a mental patient confined in solitary who supposedly is responsible for Poe's plight. Twists at the end are interesting, but the narration is pointless and desperate. Ohlmart adds another delightful villainess to her gallery, although I don't recall her in any other film besides "The House on Haunted Hill" and this one.
The most interesting performance by far though is Romero, an apparent replacement for Vincent Price who was still doing American international films at this time and probably not even consulted. He's as suave as ever, and there is a little bit of mystery surrounding his character who may or may not be a diabolical character. The recurring theme song may annoy some, but I found it sweet. Nearly hits its mark, but not quite a touchdown.
Walker is surrounded by a terrific supporting cast, namely Cesar Romero as the Vincent Price like head of the institution with a mysterious wife (Carol Ohlmart of "The House on Haunted Hill" fame) and doctor Tom Drake, as well as Romero's Igor like assistant and a mental patient confined in solitary who supposedly is responsible for Poe's plight. Twists at the end are interesting, but the narration is pointless and desperate. Ohlmart adds another delightful villainess to her gallery, although I don't recall her in any other film besides "The House on Haunted Hill" and this one.
The most interesting performance by far though is Romero, an apparent replacement for Vincent Price who was still doing American international films at this time and probably not even consulted. He's as suave as ever, and there is a little bit of mystery surrounding his character who may or may not be a diabolical character. The recurring theme song may annoy some, but I found it sweet. Nearly hits its mark, but not quite a touchdown.