Deranged Impersonation

In the ruse of this fiendish disguise
these fools won't believe their own eyes
With such clever deception
I'll sever perception
and cut all the thieves down to size



Vincent Price impersonates his first murder victim (his manager) to commit a second murder in The Mad Magician (John Brahm, 1954). The lobby cards were tinted in color, but this 3d follow-up to House of Wax was in black-and-white. Image source: Twisted Vintage; Wrong Side of the Art!

Saw Loser

This magician is 3D-demented
And by marital problems tormented
Don't do the guy wrong
Or before very long
You'll be bodily buzz-saw segmented.

David Cairns



Vincent Price spins out of control as The Mad Magician (John Brahm, 1954); with Eva Gabor and Donald Randolph. David has written about MM on his own blog, Shadowplay. He even wrote another limerick about it!

It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad Magician

Done bad by ungrateful Gabor,
he's mad and can't take anymore
Her wagon he'll fix
with his bag full of tricks
From 3-D his poor eyes must be sore



Left by his wife (Eva Gabor) and sold out by his manager, a turn-of-the-century illusionist (Vincent Price) gets even as The Mad Magician (John Brahm, 1954). This was Price's second go round in 3D horror. Red and Cyan glasses won't lessen the eyestrain caused by the image below. If that's too much, you can watch the film in good ol' flat 2D on Youtube, here.

Skin Deep Creep

She gives him some pretty good smacks
What she thought was his face starts to crack
At long last is revealed
what a mask had concealed
And she wished she could put it all back



Phyllis Kirk exposes Vincent Price in House of Wax (André de Toth, 1953). Speaking of at long last, most of you will be happy to know that our House of Wax marathon is in meltdown. But let us know if you are one of the stalwart few who are still enjoying our in-depth look at this 3-D classic.

Bride and Gloom

Growing bored with with the running amok,
by amore the monster was struck
Though they stitched him a bride
he was fit to be tied:
He adores her, she thinks he's a schmuck



Elsa Lanchester screeches at Boris Karloff in Bride of Frankenstein (James Whale, 1935). This masterpiece of monster movies airs tonight on Son of Svengoolie on Me-TV. Tomorrow: Back to Vincent Price! Image source: Doctor Macro and Frankensteinia.

R.I.P. James Arness

Reluctantly, Matt pulled the trigger
and outlaws fell flat, mortis-rigored
No draw could dislodge
the lawman of Dodge
As sheriff they can't come much bigger



For twenty years on Gunsmoke, in black-and-white and color, James Arness was Matt Dillon, sheriff of Dodge City, Kansas. Also pictured: Amanda Blake as Miss Kitty Russell.

S.O.B. Story

To run and to hide he was free,
from the eyes of a prize s.o.b.
His hair color dyed,
from the spotlight he shied
And could never provide an I.D.

David Janssen runs on Fugitive Fridays.

Drips Ahoy!

Now this is a yarn I'd call ripping
It's both stereoscopic and gripping
Waxed bods in vignettes
break out in the sweats
And just wait till their faces start dripping



Paul Cavanagh and Vincent Price in House of Wax (André de Toth, 1953).

Deep in the Heart of Waxes

If only the customers knew
the show they were rushing to view
That figures displayed
a murderer made
by dipping in wax like fondue

Vincent Price in House of Wax (André de Toth, 1953). Our Norm Knott has mad titling skills.

Imitation of Strife

Simulations of torture and gore,
recreating the stories of yore
A gruesome rogues gallery
that gooses his salary
by making 'em crawl back for more



Vincent Price runs the House of Wax (André de Toth, 1953). Top: Charles Bronson and Phyllis Kirk. Above: Paul Cavanagh, Kirk, Paul Picerni, Carolyn (Joan of Arc) Jones and Price.

Wax Me No Questions

Are you tired of crimes done in wax?
Uninspired by rhyme-addled hacks?
Mad doctors are fine,
but not a long line?
From V. Price, would you like to make tracks?



Well, you're reading the wrong blog, pal. There's a lot more ahead in our centennial tribute to actor Vincent Price. Like his entire post-House of Wax career as a horror film star, including his celebrated work with directors William Castle and Roger Corman.

The Wax of Life

It is said, life will imitate art
Do the dead, when the living depart?
At the morgue after hours,
at the corpses he glowers,
as he orders his stiffs à la carte

Vincent Price in House of Wax (André de Toth, 1953).

This Mold House

A molder of wax has returned,
and his old way of working has spurned
Is his fatal technique
what is making babes shriek,
or mostly his face, badly burned?



A bearded guy, Paul Cavanagh, Charles (Bronson) Buchinsky, Vincent Price and Phyllis Kirk in House of Wax (André de Toth, 1953). Image source: vincentprice.org. Thanks to Norm Knott for ye olde title.