The Pit and the Pendulum

From 1960 through 1964 Roger Corman, (1926-2024), directed a series of eight motion pictures based on the writings of Edgar Allan Poe, (1809-1849). After the box office success of “House of Usher” in 1960 Corman chose to adapt “The Pit and the Pendulum,” (published originally in 1842 in the literary annual “The Gift: A Christmas and New Year’s Present for 1843”). Although this is one of Poe’s best-known works, it is fairly short and doesn’t really have enough plot for a feature film. Writer Richard Matheson, (1926-2013), used the famous torture device from the story for the climax, but created a completely new plot for the rest of the picture. Corman assembled his usual team of talents including cinematographer Floyd Crosby, art director Daniel Haller, and composer Les Baxter, (who contributed a particularly striking soundtrack). The director selected the great Vincent Price, (1911-1993), to star in the film, (as he would do in all but one of Corman’s Poe features). Corman also hired rising star Barbara Steele, who had appeared in Mario Bava’s “Black Sunday,” (1960), and who would go on to become a legend of the horror genre.

This week’s movie was “The Pit and the Pendulum” from AIP in 1961. The story takes place in Spain in the 16th century. “Francis Bernard,” (John Kerr), arrives at Medina Castle to investigate the death of his sister Elizabeth, (Barbara Steele), who had been married to “Nicholas Medina,” (Vincent Price). Nicholas and his sister “Catherine,” (Luana Anders), try to satisfy the brother’s suspicions, as does “Dr. Leon,” (Antony Carbone), who serves as the voice of reason. It seems that Elizabeth had suffered a deteriorated emotional state from living in the castle, which had been used to torture victims of the Spanish Inquisition. Eventually Elizabeth died of fright. Nicholas also struggles with delusions that his wife may have been buried prematurely, (a recurring theme in Poe stories). In a flashback sequence Nicholas reveals that as a child, (played by Larry Turner), he witnessed his father “Sebastian,” (also Price), murder his own brother “Bartolome,” (Charles Victor), for having an affair with his wife “Isabella,” (Mary Menzies). Sebastian chained Isabella in a tomb and sealed her up alive! Nicholas is struggling with his sanity and his condition worsens when it seems that Elizabeth is now haunting the castle. Nicholas and the others open her tomb and find that she had indeed been buried alive, and had fought to escape her coffin! Then Nicholas witnesses Elizabeth seemingly alive and is driven insane! But then we learn that Elizabeth faked her own death with the help of her lover Dr. Leon! The now-mad Nicholas becomes convinced that he is his own father and kills the doctor and imprisons Elizabeth in an Iron Maiden! Mistaking Francis for Bartolome he straps the young man into the Pendulum device, with the blade descending ever closer. Only Catherine is left to save the day!

Wow! This is a shocking and effective thriller. Corman and Matheson pull out all the stops to make this film a genuine masterpiece of horror! I can recommend this movie wholeheartedly.

“The Pit and the Pendulum” was a success with critics and was a big hit with the audiences of the day. This was the most financially successful of the Poe films and convinced AIP to invest in six more pictures in the series. Indeed they would have funded even more had Corman not tired of the cycle.

Medina castle was created using a series of spectacular matte paintings by the legendary Albert Whitlock, (1915-1999). The artist is not listed in this film’s credits. Footage of the castle was reused on “Gilligan’s Island” as the home of mad scientist “Boris Balinkoff,” (Vito Scotti). This was in the episode “The Friendly Physician,” (April 7, 1966). The director was Jack Arnold, (1016-1992), who was responsible for many of the best science fiction films of the fifties.

Lee Sheridan wrote a novelization of “The Pit and the Pendulum” for Lancer Books.