The Comedy Of Terrors (1963)

In late 19th century New England, an alcoholic undertaker (Vincent Price) with a diminishing clientele assists his fading business by murdering potential clients with the help of his assistant (Peter Lorre). Written by Richard Matheson (I AM LEGEND) and directed by Jacques Tourneur (I WALKED WITH A ZOMBIE). I rather like horror comedies (GHOSTBUSTERS, the 1939 CAT AND THE CANARY etc.) but this one is a bit of a stinker. You don't so much sit through it as endure it. I only laughed twice and both times was at Joyce Jameson's (as Price's abused wife) attempts at singing opera. Certainly the talented cast is up to it and they all give it their best but the screenplay lets them down. With a brief running time of an hour and 23 minutes, it still drags. Boris Karloff is spottily amusing as Price's senile father in law and Basil Rathbone hams it up nicely. With Joe E. Brown, Beverly Powers and Rhubarb the cat stealing scenes as Cleopatra.