Though its approach is wry, The Abominable Dr. Phibes is never dry, standing as one of the greatest, horror parodies ever produced. That it stars Vincent Price as its titular, vengeful, living-dead fiend (who just so happens to be an exceptional organist and astute theologian, in addition to an innovative serial killer) makes it all the more noteworthy.
Classic Monsters of the Movies researchers/scribes Nige Burton & Jamie Jones now pay tribute to this anomalous, AIP, 1971 gem, directed by Robert Fuest, who coscripted with William Goldstein and James Whiton. The trio receives biographical attention among the issue's pages, as does its stars, which include not only the great Mr. Price, but the comparably great Joseph Cotten, as well as Virginia North, Terry-Thomas, Edward Burnham, Alex Scott, Peter Jeffrey, Norman Jones, Hugh Griffith, David Hutchinson, Caroline Munro, Aubrey Woods, Peter Gilmore, Maurice Kaufmann, John Cater, Sean Bury, Susan Travers, among others.
The 1920s setting, wrapped in a 1970s mode, creates a fascinating juxtaposing for the story, as the skull-headed (though often disguised) Phibes, abetted by his silent partner, Vulnavia (North), seeks revenge on those he believes let his dear spouse (Munro) die, knocking them off one by one, each gruesome death inspired by the Ten Plagues of Egypt. Keeping his wife in cryogenic hibernation only enhances the morbidity of his quest (in a precursor to the later-day Victor Freeze), all of which was plotted with a sinister smile, now emphasized with joyful respect by Classic Monsters' appreciative authors.
To heighten the volume's weird worthiness, its photos are eye-popping, and Burton & Jones maintain their tradition of layering on trivia and quotes that will please every ardent, Anton Phibes fan.
For certain, Classic Monsters of the Movies: The Abominable Dr. Phibes is a sardonic essential, and one can disentomb it by visiting
https://www.classic-monsters.com/shop/product/the-abominable-dr-phibes-1971-ultimate-guide-magazine/
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