Season 3; Episode 91 - EDGAR ALLEN POE: Ligeia (1838) / Tomb of Ligeia (1964)

Short Story:  

Ligeia (1838)

Film:

Tomb of Ligeia (1964)

​

Published in 1838, this short story by Poe would be rewritten many times.  Telling the story of Ligeia, a woman who beautiful with odd features who dies with the narrator being obsessed.  He remarries the complete opposite of Ligeia named Rowena.  When Rowena dies, Ligeia may be reborn within Rowena’s body.   There has been debate through the years of whether the story is a satire of Gothic fiction.

 

In 1964, Roger Corman would finish his series of Poe films with The Tomb of Ligeia with screenplay by Robert Towne (Chinatown).  Vincent Price was cast in the film as he had a contract with AIP who was financing the film.  Towne though Price to be too old and wanted Richard Chamberlain.  When Corman told Towne about Price being cast, Corman added that he shouldn’t worry as they hired Marlene Dietrich make-up artist for Price. 

 

Opening Credits; Introduction (1.32); Forming the Plot (13,59); Film Trailer (47.55);  Lights, Camera, Action (50.30); Epilogue (1:18.22); End Credits (1:21.51); Closing Credits (1:24.11)

 

Opening and Closing Credits – thanking Purple Planet Music for our fantastic Opening and Closing Credits.