The origin of the ‘Sorcerer Supreme’ (no, not Dr. Strange)

This is a horror comedy inspired by Edgar Allen Poe’s poem, spoofing Roger Corman’s Poe flicks that were popular at the time. It’s amusing in the manner of the future “Young Frankenstein” (1974), yet in lush color. The trained raven is effective while the stunning Hazel Court is a highlight on the feminine front. Meanwhile there’s Nicholson as a strapping young lad.

Despite being a comedy, fans of Marvel’s Dr. Strange might be interested in “The Raven” since some of the concepts clearly inspired Stan Lee & Steve Ditko in the creation of that comic book character. For instance, the idea of a sorcerer supreme and the look of Dr. Strange, who initially resembled Price, as well as the mystic mêlée of the sorcerers at the close, which features not only bolts of magic energy but ‘shields’ to thwart opposing energies. Dr. Strange’s debut in Strange Tales #110 was on the racks a few months following the release of “The Raven.”

After the film was shot in 15 days, the superbly eerie sets were still available for a few days before demolition. Thus Corman acted quickly to concoct a script via Leo Gordon and enlisted Karloff & Nicholson for the quickie project, which turned out to be “The Terror,” released five months after this one. Boris said it was amusing the way Roger dashed around with him & the other actors filming scenes just a couple of steps ahead of the wreckers.

Unlike the goofiness of this film, “The Terror” is a thoroughly serious Gothic Horror in the mold of spooky Hammer flicks, à la “Dracula, Prince of Darkness” (1966). So if you want to see a serious early 60’s horror movie utilizing the same superb sets, check it out. It’s impossible to compare the two since they’re so different in tone, but I favor “The Terror,” which features a young Francis Ford Coppola’s early directorial work in the formidable section shot in Big Sur, California.

I've heard people complain that the story in "The Terror" doesn't make sense, but I found it easy to follow and even had it figured out by the halfway point. (Not including the dubious curveball thrown-in at the end).