This Day in Horror History: THE ABOMINABLE DR. PHIBES Was Released in 1971

On this day in horror history, director Robert Fuest’s British dark comedy horror film The Abominable Dr. Phibes starring Vincent Price was released in 1971.

Produced by Ronald S. Dunas and Louis M. Heyward from a screenplay by William Goldstein and James Whiton, the film’s art deco sets, dark humor, and performance by Price have made the film and its sequel Dr. Phibes Rises Again cult classics.

How much do you love The Abominable Dr. Phibes with Vincent Price? Let us know what you think in the comments below or on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram

In a desperate attempt to reach his ill wife, organist Anton Phibes (Vincent Price) is horrifically disfigured in a car accident and presumed dead. When he learns that his wife died during an operation, Phibes blames her surgeons and plots an elaborate revenge to punish them for their incompetence. With the help of a mute assistant (Virginia North), Phibes creates a mask resembling his own face and murders the surgeons one by one using bizarre methods inspired by the biblical plagues.

PG-13 for adult situations/language, violence, the film sports an 88% rating over on Rotten Tomatoes with a Critics Consensus that reads: The Abominable Dr. Phibes juggles horror and humor, but under the picture’s campy façade, there’s genuine pathos brought poignantly to life through Price’s performance.

Share: 
Tags:

Categorized:

Sign up for The Harbinger a Dread Central Newsletter