Why did Vincent Price call London his spiritual home?

Vincent Price was a confessed Anglophile. In this three-part series exclusively written for Spooky Isles to commemorate the 30th anniversary of Vincent’s passing, PETER FULLER delves into the Master of the Macabre’s UK-made classics and why London was his spiritual home.

Just click on the pics to start reading…

PART 1: THE EARLY YEARS (1928-1935)

PART 2: IN THE COUNTRY (1963-1973)

PART 3: THE LAST HURRAH (1974-1984)

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Vincent Price’s 15 British Films on Spooky Isles: The Podcast

Did you know Vincent Price made 15 features between 1963 and 1983 in the UK?

To commemorate the 30th anniversary of the iconic actor’s passing (on 25 October 1993), your curator explores each one of those films and why London was Vincent’s spiritual home in this Spooky Isles podcast.

👉 Listen here: https://bit.ly/48V2mrx👈

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Vincent Price’s Minestrone is a winter warmer

Will this cold spell never end? Thankfully, Karie Bible, the host of Hollywood Kitchen, has featured Vincent’s recipe for Minestrone in her latest podcast, as it’s the winter warmer that we all desperately need.

Vincent’s recipe originates from Cooking Price-Wise, the 1971 TV Times/Corgi paperback tie-in for his British TV cooking show. It’s so easy to make and delicious it’s become a real go-to in my household.

I’ve also started making recipe cards based on dishes from the kitchens of both Vincent Price and some of his legendary co*stars, which you can save and collect. You will find them on the Supper with the Stars Instagram page. Here’s the link to follow: https://www.instagram.com/supperwiththestars/

Watch the Hollywood Kitchen episode here:

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Madeline Smith takes a 50th-anniversary tour of the Theatre of Blood film locations

2022 marks the 50th anniversary of the filming of Vincent Price’s horror opus, which took place in London from 10 July to 17 August 1972.

In celebration, Vincent Price Legacy UK curator Peter Fuller led a special tour with the film’s last surviving cast member, Madeline Smith, visiting all the locations in which Madeline had her scenes.

We started at Kensal Green Cemetery: which was used for three key scenes: the funeral of critic George Maxwell (Michael Hordern), the grisly late arrival of one of the mourners, critic Hector Snipe (Dennis Price) and a scene between Edwina Lionheart (Diana Rigg) and Peregrine Devlin (Ian Hendry). Filming took place between 10-16 August 1972 and involved most of the cast appearing on the steps of the Anglican chapel, while Vincent Price appeared in disguise as the gravedigger who fills in Maxwell’s grave.

Madeline told our tour attendees about her memories of filming and thoroughly enjoyed posing for pictures in the same spot she stood 50 years ago. On her Facebook page, she wrote:

Despite the extreme heat, I spent a delightful Sunday with the encyclopedic Peter Fuller on his Theatre of Blood walking tour. It was 50 years to the day (10th July 1972) that we started shooting, and even though this was a joyous event, it was tinged with sadness as we all stood on the steps of the Anglican Chapel in Kensal Green Cemetery (Where George Maxwell’s funeral took place and Hector Snipe’s corpse arrived tied to the back of a horse) I reflected on the fact that all that incredible talent is now no longer with us. I can’t thank Peter and his tour group for their love, care and attention as well as the knowledge imparted re this wonderful little film. Much Love…Maddy xx

Following lunch, we took a 40-min bus journey to Putney. Just off the high street is where Lionheart’s lair, the Burbage Theatre, once stood. It was, of course, the old Putney Hippodrome (demolished in 1975) and featured heavily in the final scenes in which Lionheart sets fire to the theatre before taking his final curtain call into the flames. Madeline told us how the theatre was really set alight and how fire engines were on standby just in case the fires got out of control.

Next up was a short bus trip to The Causeway in Wandsworth. At this site, Devlin is knocked unconscious after meeting Edwina, while Inspector Boot (Milo O’Shea) and Devlin’s secretary Rosemary (Madeline) listen to Sgt Dogge (Eric Sykes), who is hiding in the boot of Devlin’s jag, being run over by a train.

Our final destination was Peninsula Heights in Vauxhall. The penthouse at the very top of the building was used as Devlin’s chic apartment and is where Lionheart takes his swan dive into the Thames. Madeline told us that these scenes involved some very long days, and she had some very interesting memories of what happened during filming.

Here’s what some of our attendees had to say about the tour:

‘Thanks for a fantastic day. The tour was brilliant &
very enlightening & Maddie was absolutely lovely’
Vinny Venus

‘Thanks, Peter, for organising. We both loved it. And Maddie was great’
Michael Borio

‘Hi there, Peter, just a quick message to re-emphasise what a brilliant day I had today. It was great meeting you, and it was a very informative and interesting tour. Look forward to the next event’
Dwayne Hickman

‘I’ve been on this tour, and it’s great. TOB was actually one of the first films I saw with Ian Hendry. I later wrote his biography, Send in the Clowns
Gabriel Hershman

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Supper with the Stars (Limited Edition Hardcover) | LAST REMAINING COPIES!

13 February 2022 UPDATE!
A huge thank you to everyone who has purchased a copy of our limited edition hardback of Supper with the Stars. We released 250 copies on Halloween 2021 and to date we have just 13 copies left. Having sold out of the signed bookplate, we have 7 Thank You presentation cards signed by Peter Fuller, which we are offering up in lieu of a signed copy. So don’t delay, order your copy today!

*********************************************

The Vincent Price Legacy UK is delighted to present Supper with the Stars, a fantastic new cookbook fusing film legends and food with the culinary endeavours of screen icon and original foodie Vincent Price. Written by Peter Fuller (your curator) and film archivist Jenny Hammerton (Silver Screen Suppers), this limited-edition cookbook features 52 recipes from the kitchens of Vincent’s most famous co-stars paired with some fantastic dishes of his own. With wicked illustrations from Ben Wickey and a Foreword by Victoria Price, this is a must-have for film fans and foodies alike.  

Supper with the Stars has been published in a special limited edition hardcover (only 250 copies) and is available to buy in the UK with a choice of edition and postage options.

FOR UK ORDERS: Please use this link to order if you are based in the UK: https://www.vincentpricelegacy.com/shop

FOR EUROPEAN ORDERS (including the Republic of Ireland), postage will be £15 (including tracking). Please use the Vincent Price Store link below if you have a European delivery address.

FOR NORTH AMERICAN ORDERS, postage will be £35 (including tracking). Please use the Vincent Price Store link below if you are ordering from North America.

https://www.vincentpricelegacy.uk/for-sale/

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Vincent Price’s Gingerbread makes for a sweet Valentine treat

Last Sunday was St Valentine’s Day and Vincent Price fans across the UK and the US joined together for another special online zoom event hosted by yours truly and Victoria Price.

We had a ball showing vintage TV shows, holding a trivia quiz (which proved very popular) and presenting some delicious food fare made especially for the occasion.

Wanting to bake some heart-shaped cookies (in honour of Vincent’s wonderful turn in Edward Scissorhands), I found a suitable recipe in Vincent’s 1969 Come Into the Kitchen Cook Book – Hard Gingerbread.

If you stick to the measurements, this makes a mammoth amount – so I halved everything and ended up with 48 medium-sized cookies. I also didn’t have a heart-shaped cutter, so I improvised but making one out of cardboard. I think it worked quite well.

Now, they did come out a little on the pale side (as I used maple syrup instead of molasses, which I could not find ), but dipping them in chocolate ganache was a sweet solution.

Next time, I will certainly seek out molasses or golden syrup and will up the amount of ginger – just for a little extra heat. A wonderful Valentine treat.

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Three new interactive group events coming at ya!

Vincent Price Legacy: Virtual Visual Vincent: For the Love of Art
Sunday 17 May, 8pm (BST)

Join Victoria Price, Peter Fuller & global fans for this interactive Group Event. Peter will share rare clips showcasing Vincent’s lifelong love of the visual arts. Victoria will show slides and tell stories about her father’s favourite artists and works of art. And we invite fans and artists to share their art work, their Vincent tattoos, or the ways that Vincent has inspired your own love or art. Show items from your collection or the work of favourite artists. Let’s celebrate our Love of Art!

Sign up now: https://victoriaprice.as.me/schedule.php?appointmentType=category%3AVincent+Price+Legacy

Vincent Price Legacy: Victoria Price presents: Vincent Price: Master of Menace, Lover of Life (A Photographic Talk followed by a Q&A)
Wednesday 27 May, 7.30pm (BST)

Victoria Price has shared her popular talks about her father’s life with audiences all over the world. But this year on his birthday, she’s excited to celebrate it virtually, with people who may not have been able to meet her in person — as well as those who may have heard her speak before.

She will be giving two talks on the evening of what would have been her father’s 109th birthday, 27 May. One for European and UK audiences and one for US audiences. Featuring rare photos and lots of stories.

Sign up now: https://victoriaprice.as.me/schedule.php?appointmentType=category%3AVincent+Price+Legacy

Vincent Price Legacy: The Birthday Boys: A Virtual Vincent Celebration
Sunday 31 May, 9pm (BST)

Join Vincent Price’s daughter Victoria & Vincent Price expert Peter Fuller host a birthday celebration and Q&A about House of the Long Shadows — starring birthday boys Peter Cushing (May 26), Christopher Lee (May 27) and Vincent Price (May 27). Dress up for the occasion and we’ll raise a toast to Vincent with special cocktails — as we answer Q&As about Vincent and The House of the Long Shadows.

Sign up now: https://victoriaprice.as.me/schedule.php?appointmentType=category%3AVincent+Price+Legacy

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No jacket required | Our Virtual Cook-up was a taste sensation

Over the past three weeks Victoria and myself have been hosting weekly interactive Q&A’s via zoom and our latest saw us celebrating Vincent’s culinary legacy with over 40 fans tuning in from all around North America and the UK. It was another great success with cooking, clips, cocktails and chat being the menu de jour.

The different time zones meant some attendees where making brunch, others lunch, while in the UK, it was dinner time – and everyone got into the spirit sourcing their inspiration from Vincent and Mary Price’s three classic cookbooks: A Treasury of Great Recipes, Come Into the Kitchen and Cooking Price-Wise. Here’s just a sample of what was dished up.

Stateside, Sara crafted her own hibiscus and mezcal cocktail: Masque of the Red Death
Jaime prepared blueberry muffins, banana bread (no nuts) and iced coffee
David whipped up some of Luchow’s German pancakes and as Vincent always did himself, gave the first one to his dog
Jaime served up Spanish beans
Michele prepared some fruit-filled French Toast Santa Fe
Over in the UK, Chris and Pippa made a boozy trifle
Sarah made a very meaty spaghetti bolognese
Selene served up moussaka but with a Keto kink, while we all enjoyed a rare never-before-seen clip from Vincent’s 1971 TV show, Cooking Price-Wise
Jenny, my collaborator on the forthcoming Co*Star Cookbook, made Cannelloni alla Passetto

Our next session takes place on Sunday 17 May (8pm BST), where the theme will be art and collecting – so show us your art, tats and the pieces that inspire you, plus will have clips and a discussion on Vincent’s lifelong passion for the visual arts. SIGN UP HERE

Then, on Sunday 31 May (9pm BST), we celebrate the birthdays of Vincent, Christopher Lee and Peter Cushing. Just watch the film beforehand and then join in our Q&A session about their friendships and collaborations on film, TV and even radio.

SIGN UP HERE

Here’s the link to the film: https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x1x6uxh

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You are invited to two Vincent Price Movie Q&A’s – 18 & 25 April

You are cordially invited to join Vincent Price’s daughter, Victoria, and Vincent Price Legacy UK curator, Peter Fuller, for two exclusive Movie Night Q&A’s taking place on Saturday 18 and 25 April, in which we discuss two of Vinnie’s all-time classic chillers – House on Haunted Hill and The Abominable Dr. Phibes.

Each Q&A costs US$5 (that’s around UK£4) and you can sign up here for either or both: VINCENT PRICE.

WATCH the film(s) at home BEFORE our session and sign up for our online Q&s. You can then send in one question for Peter and/or Victoria when you register (sorry but only questions sent in with registration will be answered).

JOIN our virtual Q&A to learn some fascinating facts about the films and hear wonderful stories about Vincent first-hand from Victoria.

We have limited places available, so sign up now!

If you already own the films, please re-watch them before our Q&A, and if you want to stream them, you can find them on YouTube. Here are some links that may work for you.

You can stream House on Haunted Hill here: https://youtu.be/T8W4GOf5m_4

You can stream The Abominable Dr. Phibes here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9QfsQB_He0g

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Please vote for Into the Velvet Darkness: A Celebration of Vincent Price for a Rondo Award

Fantastic news everyone! Into The Velvet Darkness: A Celebration of Vincent Price is one of the nominees for Best Book of the Year in this year’s Rondo Hatton Classic Horror Awards, which honour the best in classic horror research, creativity and film preservations.

But in order for it to win, it needs your vote.

Can you please send off an email to taraco@aol.com with – I vote for Into the Velvet Darkness: A Celebration of Vincent Price for Book of the Year – in the both the subject and message lines, and include your name in the message.

The ballot closes at midnight, 29 March 2020.

If you’d like to vote for any of the other great talent up for gongs, then here’s the link to the full ballot: https://rondoaward.com/rondoaward.com/blog/

Thank you so much for your help!

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