20. The Comedy of Terrors (1963), dir. Jacques Tourneur, broadcast 6 May
This film came at the end of what had felt like a long week, so I was in something of a state of torpor on the sofa by the time it came on and don't think I really engaged with it very productively. But I also don't think the problem was entirely me - it just wasn't really up to much, and I'm afraid has only confirmed my existing view that few horror comedies really are.
20. The Comedy of Terrors (1963), dir. Jacques Tourneur, broadcast 6 May
Original tweet-along thread
Individual tweets:
It's Friday night at the #CellarClub, and tonight we have The Comedy of Terrors. I don't think I've ever seen it, so it's time to put that right. #TheFilmCrowd
Loving this classic melodrama music and speeded-up footage as they hastily fill the grave! #CellarClub #TheFilmCrowd
This prolific thespian feline has already appeared on screen, and had his own credit in the opening titles as well. Quite the star it seems. He looks a lot like JortsTheCat.
It's a bit odd to see Vincent's character constantly swigging out of that bottle when the whole basis of every acting performance he gave was always biting wit delivered with razor-sharp precision. I don't think he's actually capable of playing drunk. #CellarClub #TheFilmCrowd
Indeed, just as in Tales of Terror, it's Peter Lorre who is klutzing it up, dropping things all over the place and making a noise. #CellarClub #TheFilmCrowd
OK, NOW Vincent actually seems to be drunk! Turns out he can do it. #CellarClub #TheFilmCrowd
Not that he's managed to keep it up, though. He is right back to his usual precisely eloquent self. #CellarClub #TheFilmCrowd
It's Orangey the Cat again! I'm pretty sure he's the best thing in this film. #CellarClub #TheFilmCrowd
Orangey not impressed with Peter Lorre's wall-climbing efforts there. He's trying hard not to offer a lesson in how to find proper grips in case he comes across as too patronising. #CellarClub #TheFilmCrowd
I too often lie in bed reading out loud from Macbeth in the evenings. #CellarClub #TheFilmCrowd
Vincent's line just then - "A fine mess you've made of things again!" - rather acknowledges the level of comedy on which this is operating. #CellarClub #TheFilmCrowd
Mr. Black is proving a most uncooperative corpse. #CellarClub #TheFilmCrowd
I'm not wild about this film overall but some of the photography is good, especially in these interior domestic scenes. Nice green / red contrasts. #CellarClub #TheFilmCrowd
I'd really like this film to move beyond the 'joke' of this woman being a bad singer now. 😩 #CellarClub #TheFilmCrowd
This shot of Vincent coming up through the stairwell is another good example of its very competent cinematography. You could see almost any still from this film and be easily convinced it was a classic. #CellarClub #TheFilmCrowd
OK, Basil Rathbone refusing to relinquish the Shakespearean spotlight is quite amusing. #CellarClub #TheFilmCrowd
We're back to speeded-up melodrama, as we began. #CellarClub #TheFilmCrowd
And the credits roll. That was well-shot, had some great stars (not the least of which was Orangey / Rhubarb the cat) and gave them some decent individual lines. But overall it's confirmed my view that horror-comedy usually fails on both fronts. #CellarClub #TheFilmCrowd
20. The Comedy of Terrors (1963), dir. Jacques Tourneur, broadcast 6 May
Original tweet-along thread
Individual tweets:
It's Friday night at the #CellarClub, and tonight we have The Comedy of Terrors. I don't think I've ever seen it, so it's time to put that right. #TheFilmCrowd
Loving this classic melodrama music and speeded-up footage as they hastily fill the grave! #CellarClub #TheFilmCrowd
This prolific thespian feline has already appeared on screen, and had his own credit in the opening titles as well. Quite the star it seems. He looks a lot like JortsTheCat.
It's a bit odd to see Vincent's character constantly swigging out of that bottle when the whole basis of every acting performance he gave was always biting wit delivered with razor-sharp precision. I don't think he's actually capable of playing drunk. #CellarClub #TheFilmCrowd
Indeed, just as in Tales of Terror, it's Peter Lorre who is klutzing it up, dropping things all over the place and making a noise. #CellarClub #TheFilmCrowd
OK, NOW Vincent actually seems to be drunk! Turns out he can do it. #CellarClub #TheFilmCrowd
Not that he's managed to keep it up, though. He is right back to his usual precisely eloquent self. #CellarClub #TheFilmCrowd
It's Orangey the Cat again! I'm pretty sure he's the best thing in this film. #CellarClub #TheFilmCrowd
Orangey not impressed with Peter Lorre's wall-climbing efforts there. He's trying hard not to offer a lesson in how to find proper grips in case he comes across as too patronising. #CellarClub #TheFilmCrowd
I too often lie in bed reading out loud from Macbeth in the evenings. #CellarClub #TheFilmCrowd
Vincent's line just then - "A fine mess you've made of things again!" - rather acknowledges the level of comedy on which this is operating. #CellarClub #TheFilmCrowd
Mr. Black is proving a most uncooperative corpse. #CellarClub #TheFilmCrowd
I'm not wild about this film overall but some of the photography is good, especially in these interior domestic scenes. Nice green / red contrasts. #CellarClub #TheFilmCrowd
I'd really like this film to move beyond the 'joke' of this woman being a bad singer now. 😩 #CellarClub #TheFilmCrowd
This shot of Vincent coming up through the stairwell is another good example of its very competent cinematography. You could see almost any still from this film and be easily convinced it was a classic. #CellarClub #TheFilmCrowd
OK, Basil Rathbone refusing to relinquish the Shakespearean spotlight is quite amusing. #CellarClub #TheFilmCrowd
We're back to speeded-up melodrama, as we began. #CellarClub #TheFilmCrowd
And the credits roll. That was well-shot, had some great stars (not the least of which was Orangey / Rhubarb the cat) and gave them some decent individual lines. But overall it's confirmed my view that horror-comedy usually fails on both fronts. #CellarClub #TheFilmCrowd