Premature Burial
Brief Synopsis
Cast & Crew
Roger Corman
Ray Milland
Hazel Court
Richard Ney
Heather Angel
Alan Napier
Film Details
Technical Specs
Synopsis
Guy Carrell, a medical researcher in 19th-century London, fears that his father's catalepsy is hereditary, and that he, too, will be buried alive during a seizure. He postpones marriage to Emily Gault, daughter of his physician and professor, Dr. Gideon Gault, and withdraws with his sister Kate to their country home on the moors, where he paints portraits of death. Emily visits him and persuades him to go through with the marriage, but following the ceremony, Guy builds a tomb containing every possible escape device to counteract his visions of grave robbers and nightmares of live burial. Guy's friend Miles Archer explains to Emily that catalepsy is not hereditary, but that given Guy's susceptible condition, any morbid reminder might precipitate a seizure; she then insists the tomb be destroyed, and Guy complies. Miles suggests that Guy open the family crypt and see for himself that his father was not buried alive. When the coffin is opened and a contorted skeleton is found, Guy collapses and falls lifeless to the ground, whereupon Miles and Dr. Gault pronounce him dead. Two grave robbers try to steal the body directly after the interment, but when they lift the lid from the casket, Guy leaps out and kills them. After murdering the doctor, Guy goes to Emily's room, drags her from her bed, carries her to the cemetery, and buries her alive. He is then confronted by Miles, who has discovered Gault's body and learned of Emily's disappearance. As the two men struggle, a shot rings out and Guy falls to the ground, killed by Kate, who was aware all along that Emily was using her knowledge of Guy's fears in a scheme to inherit his fortune.
Director
Roger Corman
Cast
Ray Milland
Hazel Court
Richard Ney
Heather Angel
Alan Napier
John Dierkes
Richard Miller
Brendan Dillon
Clive L. Halliday
Crew
Charles Beaumont
David Blangsted
Jack Bohrer
Jack Bohrer
John Bury
Gene Corman
Roger Corman
Roger Corman
Marjorie Corso
Betty Crosby
Floyd Crosby
Pat Dinga
Filmgroup Inc.
Lloyd Garnell
Daniel Haller
Charles Hannawalt
Jonathan Haze
Louis Lacava
Harry Reif
Richard Rubin
Ray Russell
Burt Shonberg
Ronald Sinclair
Ronald Stein
Film Details
Technical Specs
Quotes
Can you possibly conceive it. The unendurable oppression of the lungs, the stifling fumes of the earth, the rigid embrace of the coffin, the blackness of absolute night and the silence, like an overwhelming sea.- Guy Carrell
Trivia
Roger Corman was having a minor dispute with American International. He decided to do this "Poe" picture elsewhere. He was able to get financing from Pathe Labs (who wanted to go into distribution). When Sam Arkoff learned of this, he traveled to New York to talk with the owner of Pathe Labs. Arkoff felt that Pathe was stepping into American International's business. The owner of Pathe was not moved until Arkoff pointed out that American International was one of Pathe Labs' largest customers and that if they were going into competition with AIP, all of their lab work would be pulled. Pathe sold the production to American International before principle photography began.
Roger Corman started this film outside of American International Pictures. Since 'Vincent Price' had been signed to an exclusive contract with AIP, Corman chose Ray Milland for the lead role. American International would acquire the production just as principle photography began.
Notes
Also known as The Premature Burial.
Miscellaneous Notes
Released in United States 1962
Released in United States 1962
