MANILA, Philippines?During the ?40s and ?50s, Vincent Price was the screen actor to fear. He had such style: He spoke elegantly as he was clad in the finest attires. Yet, despite that elan, he was often cruel and sadistic. Indeed, he was a truly despicable villain!

Price was especially effective in movies where baroque architecture, candelabra, barking wolfhounds, eerie locations, organ music and elaborate costumes added to the terror. He was known for his serio-comic approach to horror and became one of show biz?s prime exponents of villainy, along with Boris Karloff, Peter Lorre, Basil Rathbone and Christopher Lee.

His marvelous voice would precede him as he made a grand entrance. When told of mysterious happenings in the estate, he would arch his brows or undulate them from left to right in disbelief. He was an expert at playing it broad, but gave his characters class and style.

Price was born in St. Louis, Missouri to wealthy parents. His paternal grandfather secured the family?s wealth by concocting the first cream of tartar sauce. Not surprisingly, Vincent attended Yale to study art history. By the time he went into professional theater in 1935, he had amassed a substantial collection of fine artworks.

After establishing himself as a stage actor, he was contracted by Hollywood in 1938 for ?Service de Luxe.? However, it was in 1944?s ?Laura? where he made his mark as an actor.

In the ?50s, he starred in ?House of Wax,? which went on to become the first 3D film to succeed at the box office.

Tim Burton did the 16-minute short, ?Vincent,? in his honor. The actor donated a major portion of his art collection to a community college, so its students could appreciate art while they studied.

He may be ?infamous? for screen villainy and horror, but people who know him well remember him for his artistic taste and legacy of generosity.