Another day to live through. Better get started.

What is it like to be the last man on earth?

Over the years, many films, books and comics have wrestled this particular question. My particular favorite exploration is Brian K. Vaughan and Pia Guerra's epic comic book series "Y: The Last Man" which I highly recommend to anyone and everyone.

Another staple of the "genre" is Richard Matheson's 1954 novel entitled "I Am Legend". Though famously molded into a Will Smith vehicle last year, this book had already been adapted twice before. Last night I had the pleasure of watching the original, unambiguously titled, 1964 adaptation - "The Last Man on Earth".

Vincent Price's voice is a thing to behold. It's capable of sending tingles down your spine (reciting Edgar Allen Poe's "The Raven") as well as making you want to get your groove on ("rapping" at the end of Michael Jackson's "Thriller"). Though clearly best suited for talking pictures, Price could have easily been a star of the silent screen.

Outside of voice-over narration and the above pictured attempt at radio communication, the first roughly 15 minutes of the film are dialogue free. When you're "The Last Man on Earth" there's not really much need for talking. As a result of disembodying voice from action, the audience is able to better appreciate Price's skilled physicality. With nothing more than posture and a hang dog expression Vincent communicates the extreme loneliness and boredom of Robert Morgan's predicament. The performance is sheer brilliance.

Unfortunately the rest of the film does not live up to the promise of the first third. Once dialogue enters the equation 90% of the film's energy vanishes. Director Ubaldo Ragona suddenly seems content to let the dialogue do all of the storytelling. Le sigh.

It's an interesting catch-22: Without the first act the film is a perfectly watchable (though standard) Vincent Price creep-fest, with the first act it becomes a flawed masterpiece. Is it better to strive for greatness and fall short or to simply be content with mediocrity? Personally I find myself in the 'strive for greatness' camp.

Though I've always loved Vincent Price, I never really took him that seriously. He was always great for creepy/campy fun but nothing more. If it weren't for the opening of "The Last Man on Earth" that would have still been the case. Thank you Robert Morgan.