The 17 Jul 1962 LAT reported that the upcoming production of The Raven was prompted by the success of Tales of Terror (1962, see entry), the latest release from American International Pictures (AIP) based on stories by Edgar Allan Poe. The 11 Jun 1962 DV noted that stars Vincent Price and Peter Lorre were recently contracted to the company for five years and three years, respectively. According to production charts in the 21 Sep 1962 DV, principal photography began that day at Producers Studio (later Raleigh Studios) in Los Angeles, CA.
       The 20 Jan 1963 LAT noted that The Raven was Peter Lorre’s second horror film, and the first in which he co-starred with Boris Karloff. It also marked the motion picture debut of actress Olive Sturgess, who told the 10 Feb 1963 LAT that she was frequently the object of the veteran actors’ pranks during production. Appearing in his second feature film was William “Tiny Tim” Baskin, described in the 17 Sep 1962 DV as a “6’8”, 300-lb. clown” from the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus. Filming was completed in seventeen days.
       The Raven opened 25 Jan 1963 in New York City. Openings at twenty-three Los Angeles, CA, theaters followed on 30 Jan 1963. The film earned $206,000 in its first week, according to the 5 Feb 1963 DV. A review in the 1 Feb 1963 LAT noted that it shared a bill with the Italian production, Warriors Five (1962). Critical notices were generally positive, although the 26 Jan 1963 NYT suggested that the picture was best suited to “the kiddies and the bird-brained.” The New York City opening included the French release, White Slave Ship (1962), on the bill.
       The 9 Mar 1964 LAT announced that “Jim Jr.,” the raven appearing in the title role, was nominated for a Patsy Award, along with several other animal actors.
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