On 5 July 1972, Dr Phibes Rises Again premiered. This is barely a year after the release of The Abominable Dr Phibes. And American International Pictures apparently wanted to make a third. But as they say, the best laid plans of Nicholson and Arkoff oft go awry. It’s a shame because the second film sets up a third.
I don’t have much to say about either film. They are both revenge comedies that are always fun to watch. They are close to Theatre of Blood in the level to which Vincent Price chews up the screen. I tend to prefer the first because it has a compelling story. But the Rises Again has the great advantage of looking better. Hard to say. Perfect double feature though!
Let me instead provide you with a quote from Tom Weaver’s excellent Attack of the Monster Movie Makers. He (or one of his research associates) asked Vincent Price about the first film. Here is his reply:
Dr Phibes, and Dr Phibes Rises Again, were really funny pictures, I think two of the funniest pictures ever made. Scary, but funny — each one of the murders had a little fillip to it that made it funny. But the guy who directed it [Robert Fuest] was a madman — and wonderful. He would say, “Do this” and you did it, because there was nothing else to do! It was so mad and so crazy but they were great fun to do. I loved doing those two!
If you love either of these films like I do, I suggest you get the Kino Lorber Blu-ray. It is a single disc with both films and a ton of extras. So you will be able to have that double feature and much more!
Unfortunately, it is only streaming on DailyMotion, which comes with a ton of commercials. But it’s better than nothing.
Image is a single frame from from the Midnite Movies release of Dr Phibes Rises Again! taken under Fair Use.