The Haunted Palace

Vincent Price, Debra Paget, and Lon Chaney Jr. star in this adaptation of H.P. Lovecraft’s short story, “The Case of Charles Dexter Ward,” directed by Roger Corman.
In 1765, a New England warlock named Joseph Curwen (Vincent Price) is burned alive at the stake by terrified villagers in the town of Arkham after practicing dark arts and summoning cosmic entities. Before dying, he curses the town and its people. 110 years later, in 1875, Curwen's great-great-grandson, Charles Dexter Ward (also Price), arrives with his wife Ann (Debra Paget) to inherit and move into the family's foreboding mansion. Caretaker Simon Orne (Lon Chaney Jr.) helps them adjust to their new home, but the ancient curse takes over, awakening a long-dormant evil the couple must contend with. Richly atmospheric and featuring a fantastic dual performance by Price, this classic gothic horror sets the perfect tone for a New England Halloween.