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With Roger Corman's fantastic Poe adaptation coming to UK Blu-ray, I had the chance to review an early preview of it. I highly recommended it if you can play region B discs.
But it reminded me that I reviewed Intrada's ace release of Les Baxter's terrific score for it too.
So, here you go ... if you are in the mood for some supreme gothic chills.
http://www.avforums.com/movies/x_10460/movie.html
and here's the review for the new Blu-ray, as well. Remember to click on the tabs for coverage of the actual transfer quality and extra features.
http://www.avforums.com/movies/x_11329/movie.html
Cheers
Chris McEneany
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The Haunted Palace (1963)
Isn't that one by H.P. Lovecraft?
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I received my copy of the Arrow Steelbook edition of "The Fall of the House of Usher" yesterday -- and watched it last night.
I wanted to thank Mr. McEneany for linking his review of the bluray in this thread -- it was a big factor in my deciding to take the plunge on this release (and not wait for the Price box which I will probably get in any event).
I first saw "The Fall of the House of Usher" when I was seven years old in 1960 -- it had a huge impact on me. It seemed so lush, strange -- and frightening of course! I recall it as one of the benchmark experiences of my youth -- responsible for igniting an interest in Poe. I recall in 4th grade we had an assignment to read a poem out-loud to the class -- and I picked "The Raven". Wish I had a recording of THAT. 
The bluray is simply gorgeous (I found myself uttering "wow" under my breath several times as I watched) -- the film also held up rather well (I had not watched it for years).
Thank you for this thread!
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Re: the Intrada release
I was counting pennies when the Intrada CD of "Usher" was released and missed it. But last month, in preparation for the bluray editions coming out, I bit the bullet and bought it from one of the Amazon secondary sellers. It has always been one of my favorite scores -- does anyone else hear Benjamin Britten elements (specifically his sea interludes from "Peter Grimes") in some of the quieter, romantic, moments of the score? At about the 30 second mark of this music from "Peter Grimes":
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-6esm67yWpA
I hear some trilling, rhapsodic, music that seems to be picked up at moments in Mr. Baxter's masterful score.
Re: Age
There were no age restrictions placed on "Usher" in the US. My parents had a policy of letting me see whatever I wanted that came to our theater -- so as a small kid I saw "Psycho", Bava's "Black Sunday", "Horrors of the Black Museum" and many others. Probably explains a lot about me... The Corman Poe films were always an event for me.
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I'd never noticed that before, John. You're right - I know exactly the little upward, optimistic phrase heard in USHER. Of course, the Britten piece is better known around here for its influence on some Goldsmith scores such as ISLANDS IN THE STREAM.
Regarding (FALL OF THE) HOUSE OF USHER. I haven't got the Blu, but I've seen it umpteen times, first on TV as a wee nipper, then on DVD. Brilliant film, and the Baxter score is such an integral part of it. That's one CD that just grips me from start to finish, just as the film does. If you do a search, you might find the old thread about Intrada's amazing CD release of the score. I'd do it myself, but I'm already late for work.
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