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Running head: MOVIE GOTH Movie Goth May 28, 2009 Movie Goth Terrifying stories about madness, torture, death, decay and unexplainable fears are the core elements of Edgar Allan Poe's gothic stories. Poe is considered the original grandmaster of gore, however, Hollywood interpretation of gothic elements in Poe's movies is quite different from original Poe's intentions. For example, when comparing original Poe's stories and Hollywood interpretations such as The Raven (1963) and House of Usher (1960) it becomes obvious that new visual technologies were put to the service of creating a gothic style. The Raven (1963) was directed by Roger Corman, who managed to present the viewers an amazing darkly humorous interpretation of the poem written by Edgar Allan Poe.
It should be, however, mentioned that Roger Corman is known for his keen interest in Poe's stories, and this movie is the fifth entry in Corman's cycle of Poe films. Unlike other films, this one takes a completely new tact, as this time the director managed to create a comedy set in Gothic castles. While watching the movie one, who have ever read Poe's poem, would notice that the movie has almost nothing in common with traditional Poe's style. In fact, the movie ignores the original poem and keeps only few passages from it, placing more emphasis on whiz-bang special effects. Instead, this interpretation presents a humorous series of comic pieces. Corman's mix of horror and humor made this comedy about a trio of feuding sorcerers very popular.
The movie opens with a traditional proto-psychedelic sequence, with Vincent Price reciting the first lines of Poe's poem. Then the audience meets Price (Dr. Erasmus Craven), the son of a great sorcerer, Bedlo (Jack Nicholson), who comes to Craven asking for help, because Scarabus has turned him into a raven and Bedlo wants someone to change him back. The movie manages to convey both the mystery and melancholy of the poem, but, at the same time, dark humor makes The Raven a brilliant comedy with classic elements of gothic. Similar to The Raven, House of Usher (1960) starring Vincent Price, Myrna Fahey, and Mark Damon was also directed by Roger Corman. This movie is the first one of eight Corman's films.
In this movie Corman expanded on the original Poe story and added somewhat a romantic angle. In House of Usher we can see Philip Winthrop (Mark Damon), who approaches foreboding Usher residence, and wants to take away Madeline, his fiancee. As he gets warning from the family butler Bristol, Philip confronts Madeline's brother, a hyper-sensitive and enigmatic Roderick, who tells Philip about the curse and wants him to leave the house and never marry Madeline. Philip doesnt listen to Roderick and continues his attempts to persuade the girl.
All these scenes are accompanied with traditional gothic elements of suspense, gloomy atmosphere, dark places, breaking staircase railings, falling chandeliers and other mysterious and unexpected events. Although there are differences between the movie and original story (e. g. , in the movie Phillip visits Ushers house to see Madeline, while in the Poe's story he wants to see Roderick, in the original story the house sinks into swamp, while in the movie the house is destroyed by fire), still, this movie is quite close to original Poe's story and is kept in old traditions of Goth. Bibliography Corman, R. (Director). (1960). House of Usher [Motion Picture]. Corman, R. (Director). (1963).
The Raven [Motion Picture].
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Research essay sample on Edgar Allan Poe House Of Usher
