Madhouse

An old actor returns years later to the role that made him famous--that of evil, psychopathic killer, Dr. Death. But why does everyone on the movie set keep dying violently? Alright, so it's not either one's greatest film, but it is Vincent Price and Peter Cushing, so cut them some slack. The plot is chock-full of holes, but still mildly entertaining, and has a good (if inexplicable) twist ending. That, as well as the two stars, are the only reasons this gets a rating of 6/10 from me.

Would I recommend? Not particularly, as there are much better films you could watch to see Price and Cushing at their best. But it's one of your few chances to see both great actors together, and it isn't a total waste of time.

Everybody thinks I'm dead, including myself.

Madhouse is directed by Jim Clark and written by Angus Hall, Ken Levison and Greg Morrison. It stars Vincent Price, Peter Cushing, Robert Quarry, Adrienne Corri and Natasha Pyne. Music is by Douglas Gamley and cinematography by Ray Parslow.

A horror movie star returns to his famous role after recovering from a nervous breakdown. But the character seems to be committing real life murders...

The madhouse of the title is a metaphor for the movie making industry, with the makers here clearly having some sly asides to the industry that made them, whilst some of the in-jokes are sharply observed. Featuring genre legends Price from "AIP" and Cushing from "Hammer", it's a horror picture that...

Price and Cushing in this clunky Brit precursor to Scream

Shot in the late spring of 1973 under the (superior) title The Revenge of Dr. Death, it was changed to the generic Madhouse. It didnt open in the USA until a year and a half later in December 1974.

I couldnt help but think of Scream a couple of times while watching, so this obviously influenced that more popular 1996 slasher (and I like it better). Its quirky and sometimes awkward due to butchering in the editing room by Milton Subotsky, yet its nevertheless colorful and entertaining. While Price and Cushing are highlights in the cast, there are several other notables, such as Robert Quarry, who appears dressed in his outfit from Count Yorga, Vampire during a costume part...