Netflixorama: Vincent Priceapalooza!

I've been away for quite some time from my daily Netflixorama article, not because of lack of film watching (actually I've been watching more films than I have for awhile) but because of the dreaded writer's block that many people speak about. I've had small bouts of it in the past, but this time around it's come full force. You'd think with a lack of job that it would come out easier but instead it's been tough to get out of this fun.

But something came over me a few weeks ago, a little bit of inspiration in the form of Vincent Price. The grand thespian, art lover and forgoer of all things Gothic macabre got my attention in a film that actually is one of his dramatic acting chops. It's sad because people tend to not think of the man as more than a horror icon. Don't get me wrong, I'm in love with his Corman and AIP run. His Edgar Allen Poe adaptations were steady viewing with my grandmother growing up and I love to show The Abominable Dr. Phibes to as many people as I can in this lifetime.







But then, about 10 years ago, I caught the film Laura which changed my whole outlook on the man. It made me realize that he was sadly typecast in the horror genre (which he never truly got out of). It also started my love for film noir, which at my tender age of 17 was sadly ignored by my 'peers', if you can call them that. I always tended to stay away from trends growing up, and film was no exception. I wrote a lengthy review (12 pages) on Arsenic & Old Lace in 5th Grade, so it goes to show you where I'm coming from.

I didn't have many friends back then.



So where am I going with this episode of Netflixorama? It's on a film that was sadly taken down on Netflix and I was lucky enough to catch it before that occurred. Which is another reason why my writer's block has plagued me. I can't get the information out to the masses as fast as I'd like to. So that changes with today's article. The particular film I'm speaking of is the 1950 film The Baron of Arizona, one of Samuel Fuller's early works of cinema. It tells the story of James Reavis, a conman in the 19th Century, who somehow plans out the swindling of the entire territory of Arizona from the U.S. Government. It's loosely based on a real man named James Reavis, but reading up on him showed a sad man who was always found out and died penniless.



This is Hollywood, people! In Hollywood, you don't have boring endings where nothing at all is resolved. Instead you showcase Vincent Price's acting chops and show him dominating the screen in every single scene he's in. It's all around the world for him too. How else is he going to convince everyone that he has been taking care of the "rightful heir" to Arizona, Sofia de-Peralta. Of course it's all an elaborate lie, which only Price knows the ins and outs of. An intriguing little movie, with some amazing cinematography by James Wong Howe, who had been working nonstop in film since 1923 (The Prisoner of Zenda in 1937 being one of my absolute faves).



Samuel Fuller, who is one of the most off-kilter directors who had ever lived, does an admirable job here. Of course it's no Naked Kiss or his later exploitative films Shark! or White Dog, but he gives it that little flavor which shows he was behind the camera calling the shhots. It's hard to explain at first glance, considering Vincent Price is such a force to be reckoned with in front of the camera, he sometimes overshadows the subtle nuance in the background or with the other players on the screen. Luckily Fuller knows this to be true and reigns Price in every so often, giving Price the chance to exude his known charm but with more of an emphasis on his inner struggle of the lie that's eating away at not only himself, but the people of Arizona and his bride, who he truly loves now, The Baroness de Peralta-Reavis.



I should also take a moment to give some credit to Ellen Drew, who had to keep pace with Price on screen and does a more than admirable job at it. She shows grace, beauty and empathy for the people of Arizona but is also angry at them and the U.S. government for calling her husband a liar and a cheat and that she will never leave her husband's side. Even when she finds out the truth and Reavis is being strung up to be hung, she never leaves his side. Now that's what I call devotion to your significant other.



If you want to check it out as soon as possible, Criterion has put out a DVD collection via their new Eclipse line of films. More affordable compared to their premier line, primarily due to lack of extras on these other films. Check it out on Criterion's website. It's well worth the price, especially for another film in the collection, I Shot Jesse James. Yes, there's been movies before the grand Assassination of Jesse James By the Coward Robert Ford. Trust me.



Tune in later for a second Netflixorama. Vincent Price was just all over me these past few weeks. Now that sounds intriguing!