In this AIP production titled after the Edgar Allen Poe story (but based on The Case of Charles Dexter Ward by H.P. Lovecraft) Darlene Fucht plays Miss Fitch who has been hypnotically summoned to the dreary castle of the town necromancer (aptly played of course by Vincent Price) to be a sacrifice for the pet demon he keeps locked up in a well in the palace's deep cellars. She is escorted into the catacombs and chained with her arms outspread as the man completes the necessary rites, before lifting the iron grate at her feet with a winch. The spell is broken at the first sight of the hideous monster lurking below.
Later, Debra Paget plays Ann Ward the much put upon wife of Charles Dexter Ward who has come looking into the affairs of his infamous ancestor, only to be possessed by his spirit through an enchanted portrait, and compelled to continue his sorcerous work. In the company of the family doctor, Ann discovers the hidden catacombs below and the sacrificial chamber, but the pair are cut off from escape by her husband and three of his cronies. The doctor is led away at knife-point and Ann is chained up for sacrifice, as Charles dons ceremonial black robes and incants the ritual words. He raises the lid and she shrieks in stark terror, pulling at her bonds. Meanwhile the town peasants have formed a lynch mob and stormed the house, setting everything loose ablaze with their torches (not shown) . The painting burns to ashes and Charles comes to his senses. But is it too late ?
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*It's a bit long, be warned.*
