Master of Menace

Today marks the 25th anniversary of the passing of Vincent Price. It's hard to imagine what Halloween and horror films would be like without his sinister contributions--just his "Thriller" monologue would have been enough to make him an icon, yet he left his indelible stamp on dozens of fun and terrifying films as well. 

I was lucky enough to see his daughter Victoria Price speak twice this week about her father's legacy and the role of horror films in people's lives. On Monday she gave a talk at the United Palace of the Cultural Arts, which was prefaced by an adorably amazing "Thriller" dance routine performed by zombie children. Tonight she hosted a triple feature of her father's films at the Quad Cinema: The Oblong Box, Madhouse, and one of my favorites, Witchfinder General. The thing that struck me most about her take on the enduring appeal of her dad's characters and films was the innate kindness that is so detectable even in his nastiest portrayals (which definitely includes Witchfinder). She believes that is what draws people to her father and his films, and I would have to agree. We can feel safe in the clutches of a Vincent Price movie because we know that whatever scary things happen, there is a wellspring of kindness behind that maniacal cackle.

Today's song is Deep Purple's 2013 homage to the Master of Menace, simply called "Vincent Price." The video conjures scenes from several of Vincent Price's classic films, as well as classic monsters in general. It does such a good job of capturing the look, sounds, and atmosphere of those films that it left me hoping for a sequel. Dr. Phibes rose again, so can't Deep Purple's Vincent Price homage do the same?

Vincent Price was a friend to Deep Purple and even appeared in a concert performance of bassist Roger Glover's album The Butterfly Ball and the Grasshopper's Feast. Here he is narrating "Magician Moth" in 1975:

Since "Thriller" is almost as ubiquitous (or maybe even more so these days) around Halloween than "The Monster Mash," I've been reluctant to include it on this blog, but check out Vincent Price performing his "Thriller" monologue live on The Tonight Show!