Being completely Poe-addled at the time, after, basically, randomly thumbing through the famed author’s collected works, American International Pictures added the somewhat nonsensical title for Michael Reeves’ The Witchfinder General. Whatever title you see it under, the film is as creepy and hair-raising as the artwork would imply and is definitely worth checking out. And, to be frank, with no trace of the usual ham, I think the portrayal of the dastardly inquisitor, Matthew Hopkins, is one of the most arresting performances of Vincent Price’s storied career. As was also AIP’s modus operandi back then, The Conqueror Worm was sent out as a double-bill. And keeping up with the nonsensical approach, it was released with the Fabian-fueled stock car epic, The Wild Racers.
The Conqueror Worm (1968) Tigon :: American International Pictures / EP: Samuel Z. Arkoff, Tony Tenser / P: Louis M. Heyward, Arnold Miller, Philip Waddilove / D: Michael Reeves / W: Tom Baker, Michael Reeves / C: John Coquillon / E: Howard Lanning / M: Paul Ferris / S: Vincent Price, Hilary Heath, Ian Ogilvy, Rupert Davies
The Wild Racers (1968) Filmakers Productions :: American International Pictures / P: Roger Corman, Joel Rapp / AP: Tamara Asseyev, Pierre Cottrell / D: Daniel Haller / W: Max House / C: Néstor Almendros / E: Verna Fields / M: Mike Curb, Pierre Vassiliu / S: Fabian, Mimsy Farmer, Alan Haufrect, Judy Cornwell, Dick Miller