Last night I watched The Abominable Dr Phibes , a 1971 AIP release.
If I sit back for a moment and think of the craziness going on in borehamwood in the early 70's i am left wondering why the town wasn't the most happening place in the country. But then maybe it was, and no one knew. I blame the towns All Saints church, and its clock tower that had Borehamwood running on a 72 minute hour. This must have slowed the things down enough for no one to notice the evil Phibes going about his business killing people with brussel sprouts, ice machines etc.
While some speak of it as one of VIncent Price's greatest performances, the star is really the fabulous Vulnavia played by Virgina North.
Even more impressive is she speaks no lines throughout the film, just glides from scene to scene, costume changes at every moment creating one suggestive erotic image after another.
all this is performed to the music of Dr Phibes Clockwork Wizards from a fabulous score by Basil Kirchin
theres also a stella supporting cast with Terry Thomas, Joseph cotten, Caroline Munro & Peter Jeffrey, even the great John Laurie makes an appearance. It would seem that most of the film is shot on set, so here's a couple of great behind the scenes shots of the opening dance.
Check out the great House of Phibes yahoo group for more excellent pictures.
Still standing today Phibes mansion is just up the road from Elstree Studios in Bushey Heath, the village where i was born. This Huge gothic masterpiece originaly called Caldecote Towers was built sometime in the late 19th Century by the impressively sounding Captain William John Marjoribanks Loftus Otway of the 4th Light Dragoons.
