Review: Cooking Price-Wise
Blu-ray: Cooking Price-Wise (1971)
Imagine a world where acting icon Vincent Price forms a fish-shape out of tuna and mayonnaise then invites YOU to try it for your dinner guests…mind blowing.
This whole Blu-ray is like being in a fever dream
Made in 1971, and shown on television at 11.30pm in Britain, Vincent (can I call you Vincent, Mr Price?) in FULL 1970s gentleman’s apparel (that’s a cravat to you), cooks and tells tales about food with effortless charm and charisma.
For example, as he gently wraps a hunk of Bacon in pastry (a sight to behold) he tells a tale of 17th century life, where the church would give a man a side of ham if he had not argued with his wife for a year.
This series is full of these asides told in Vincent’s richly toned voice.
The food is definitely Fanny Craddock, while the presentation is a more subdued Graham Kerr – The Galloping Gourmet (look these people up on YouTube).
But it doesn’t end here, oh no. We don’t get JUST Vincent, we also get an array of the most endearing and informing videos from the past, which we at 60MW enjoyed just as much as watching Vincent make a meringue. Who knew making a cuppa tea could be so difficult?
This really is an unmissable series to own, seeing him wrap a piece of bacon around a jam jar and the exotism of adding apple to salad leaves. It’s wonderful. Also it’s a great peak into what we really used to eat in 1971. Quite an eye opener for you youngsters.
Presented on Blu-ray in both HD and SD from a standard definition source.
Special Features:
- Presented on Blu-ray in both High Definition and Standard Definition
- Until We Eat Again (2024, 18 mins): Vincent Price’s daughter, the writer and inspirational speaker Victoria Price, reflects upon her father’s love of the finer things in life
- Audio commentaries on selected episodes: Episode 1: Potatoes (Vic Pratt and William Fowler), Episode 3: Bacon (Lisa Kerrigan and Dr Josephine Botting), Episode 4: Cheese (Jenny Hammerton and Peter Fuller)
- Monster Munch (2024, 25 mins): the Queen of the Kitchen, Jenny Hammerton of Silver Screen Suppers, demonstrates how you too can prepare classic Vincent Price dishes in this all-new kitchen caper
- Kitchenfinder General (2024, 21 mins): Jenny Hammerton celebrates Vincent Price’s writing on cookery and his love of all things edible
- A selection of food-related films made by the Central Office of Information (1940-1949, 30 mins total): Oatmeal Porridge, Potatoes, When the Pie Was Opened, How to Cook a Cabbage and The Good Housewife ‘In Her Kitchen’
- Tea Making Tips (1941, 10 mins): take the strain out of brewing up a perfect cuppa with this handy wartime instructional film
- Centenary Express (1980, 7 mins): a gastronomic journey from Yorkshire to London on board a special train formed of vintage restaurant cars and hauled by a steam locomotive
- ***First pressing only*** Illustrated booklet with new writing by Victoria Price, Peter Fuller, Jenny Hammerton and Vic Pratt; notes on the special features and credits
