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American International takes a break from Edgar Allen Poe pictures to slam two Jules Verne books together for a movie called Master of the World (based on the book of the same title and Robur, the Conqueror). Vincent Price headlines as a Captain Nemo-like character who flies around the world in his magnficent flying machine destroying all the world’s armies in a sort of all-out war on war. Charles Bronson (Death Wish), Henry Hull, Mary Webster, and David Frankham play the four protagonists who are captured and forced to serve Price’s cause. Eventually they summon the nerve to rebel, attempting to destroy the flying machine before it kills again. Despite a script adaptation by Richard Matheson and Price’s star power, Master of the World ultimately comes off as a cheap kiddie matinee flick. The Ed Wood-like sets, chintzy costumes, awkward humor, and cartoonish score by Les Baxter never congeal to anything palatable for me.

The only thing that perked me up during the movie was the hot dude piloting the ship. Unfortunately, the control room set was so small, they could never photograph him from the front, so we’re left looking at his back most of the time. I found myself wishing, ‘Man, that guy should turn around and take his shirt off.’ And guess what? Wish granted. After listening to the commentary track, I learned that Vincent Price thought the same thing and suggested it to director William Witney. Price said, “Have him take his shirt off and he’ll be a star.” Master of the World launched for the dude, an actor named Richard Harrison, a whole new career in international B-movies — over 100 of them!

So, in summary: Master of the World — not a great movie. But man, the dude piloting the ship…

Thank you, Vincent Price.