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The Spectre of Edgar Allan Poe (1972)

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2 reviews

Movie review

From Time Out Film Guide

A rather endearing slice of hokum in which Edgar Allan Poe becomes a horror film hero battling to save his cataleptic love Lenore (Grover) from the clutches of an old-fashioned mad scientist (Romero), whose private asylum comes complete with basement snake-pit and furtive man-beast experiments. Robert Walker looks right for Poe, but the overall tone of the production is finally no more interesting than the average TV series.

Author: DP

Time Out Film Guide

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User reviews of this film

Mark Janakovich said...

Posted on Feb 21 2008 20:30 I agree with Roger Harris. We have both known Mohy Quandour during his Hollywood years and found his work to be very good at all levels. This particular film is really a classic in America. Some critics simply like to put down directors who are no longer active in the business. I remember seeing this film in the cinemas (distributed by Cinerama) and also on Television. It is a thrilling but intelligent horror genre film with much poetic expressions in it, taking many steps hire than a 'TV fair'. Quandour's creer in Hollywood was short but had he stayed I think he would have made some beautiful films. Why he left us I do not know. But I see that he is devoted to writing wonderful historical novels now.

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Roger Harris said...

Posted on Feb 12 2008 12:37 I dont fully agree with this review. This film has become a cult classic in America and is repeated often on TV networks. It is a horror film but produced with zest and imagination, especially the treatment of the mystical Lenore. The actors, Romero and especially Robert walker are very good. The director's work, while not exceptional, is never the less a very imaginative and professional. Quandour has done many TV productions in Hollywood in his day and to label his film as TV fare is not Fair. Use of the camera and effects are excellent and it keeps you on the edge of your seat.

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