Share
Released to theatres in 1946, "Shock!" is a low-budget film that features the legendary Vincent Price in what would be the first of many starring roles. The 70 minute film was directed by Alfred Werker, an individual who was both strongly admired and greatly disliked for his artistic productions. Werker began his career in 1925, when he began directing for Fred Thompson Westerns. He also worked in a series of secondary production jobs until he began his long-time association with Fox Studios with the 1928 film, "Chasing through Europe". Werker is also recognized for his production of "House of Rothschild" in 1934, and "The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes", produced five years later in 1939. Though Werker worked with the well-known Fox Studios for quite some time, he is most celebrated for his brief association with Eagle Lion Studios in the 1940s. His finest achievement during this period was "He Walked by Night", produced in 1948. Werker left the entertainment business entirely in 1957, when he retired.
For "Shock!", Werker chose Vincent Price to play Dr. Dick Cross, a kind man whose obsession with a manipulative woman forces him to take a turn for the worst. Price began his studies at Yale University, and later moved to London, where he studied Art History and Fine Art at the Courtaud Institute. Price became interested in theater in the 1930s, and appeared professionally on stage in 1935. Price, who is best remembered for his roles in a series of low-budget horror films, made his film debut in 1938 in "Service de Luxe". He made his horror debut in the 1953 "House of Wax", and went on to have a number of low-budget successes with horror king, director Roger Corman. Price also acted in many of Corman's Edgar Allan Poe adaptations.
Lynn Bari plays the role of Elaine Jordan, the beautiful woman who traps Dr. Cross into a web of lies and deception. The Roanoke, Virginia native was often seen playing the role of "the other woman" in her films. She began her career in films as a chorus girl, and can be glimpsed in that capacity as early as the 1933 production of "Dancing Lady". Bari appeared in strong supporting roles in A-pictures in the late 30s, and always played the leading lady in B movies, but never reached the top rank of Hollywood stars.
Anabel Shaw plays the role of Janet Stewart, the young woman who witnesses the horrible act of Dr. Cross. Shaw appeared in many films until the 70s, but did not earn much recognition within the entertainment business.
Frank Latimore plays Lieutenant Paul Stewart, the husband of Janet Stewart. Latimore, who signed to Fox Studios in his teens, is recognized as the Hollywood romantic lead of the 40s. Latimore left Hollywood in 1948 and continued his career in continental films where he appeared in such films as "Vengeance of Zorro", one of his last international films produced in 1962. Latimore returned to American films in the 70s and is perhaps best recognized as the Watergate-burglary judge in 1976's "All the President's Men".
