Friday, April 18, 2008

Vincent Price 2


Vincent Leonard Price was born on May 27th, 1911 in St. Louis, Missouri. He went to Yale and travelled all over Europe before making his screen debut in 1938. It was in a small movie called "Service De Luxe". But it wasn't until his next movie that Vincent really got notice. It was a movie called, "The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex" and it was 1939. Price played Sir Walter Raleigh, and it was a great movie for him. This is because it featured big names such as Bette Davis, Errol Flynn, Olivia De Havilland, Leo G. Carroll, Donald Crisp, and Henry Daniell. That same year, Price had a role in "Tower of London". Although the movie isn't very good, Vincent became interested in its genre. . .horror! In 1940, Vincent starred in another disappointing movie, "Hudson's Bay". But also featured in the movie was Gene Tierney, who would be in later movies with Vincent. In 1943, Vincent starred in one of my favorite movies: "The Song of Bernadette". He played hard-hearted Vital Dutour, the Imperial Prosecutor. The film also features magnificent performances by Jennifer Jones, who won an Oscar for her portrayal as Bernadette Soubirous, Gladys Cooper, Charles Bickford, and newcomer Lee J. Cobb.

In 1944, Vincent played Shelby Carpenter in Otto Preminger's classic noir, "Laura". The film also starred Gene Tierney, Dana Andrews, Clifton Webb, and Judith Anderson. This movie is absoultely wonderful! It features a great cast and a perplexing story. If you've never seen this movie, I think it's Vincent's best!

Also in 1944, Vincent starred with Gregory Peck in the critically acclaimed "Keys of the Kingdom." In 1945, Vincent and Gene Tierney were again co-stars in "Leave Her to Heaven", in which Vincent played Russell Quinton. In 1952, he starred along with Jane Russell in "The Las Vegas Story".


Vincent became known as the horror movie king after this 3-d thriller. He had many successful (and some downright strange) movies for years after this.



3 comments:

Anonymous said...

I LOVE Vincent Price!! His incredible talents never ceased to amaze me (even when I was a small child and had no idea what it was that I found so fascinating about this wonderful actor).
He moved across the silver screen with the grace of a dancer, spoke with a Shakespearean manner and had a face which had such a regal bearing.
He could make me tremble with fear, but he could also make me laugh.

Jim, both your painting of Vincent and the pencil drawing of his younger self are absolutely beautiful and show the love and affection which you have for your subject.
The range of colors which you used to portray Vincent's face (and hair) is incredible.
I am in awe of your talent!!
I only wish Vincent was still around so that he could enjoy your artwork as much as the rest of us do.

Anonymous said...

holy crap! that freakin' painting of vincent price (the one at the top with lots of orange) is un-be-god-damn-lievable!! your use of colors is outstanding. this one has to be one of my favorites! i can't believe that your artwork is not gracing magazine covers everywhere. i'm waiting eagerly for a new painting to magically appear on your blog. hurry up and do a new one.

KW said...

i concur. your paintings are unbelievably beautious and wonderous, and need be on magazine covers.

bravo, cudos and 13 stars on a scale of 12.