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poster of Madhouse
Rating: 6.136/10 by 103 users

Madhouse (1974)

A horror movie star returns to his famous role after years in a mental institution. But the character seems to be committing murders independent of his will.

Directing:
  • Jim Clark
  • Allan James
  • Nigel Wooll
  • Michael Green
  • Lorna Selwyn
Writing:
  • Greg Morrison
  • Ken Levison
Stars:
Release Date: Wed, May 22, 1974

Rating: 6.136/10 by 103 users

Alternative Title:
Dr. Morte - BR
A Casa dos Rituais Satânicos - BR
The Revenge of Dr. Death - AU

Country:
United Kingdom
United States of America
Language:
English
Runtime: 01 hour 32 minutes
Budget: $0
Revenue: $0

Plot Keyword: england, murder, movie star
Subtitle   Wallpaper   Watch Trailer    

Vincent Price
Paul Toombes
Peter Cushing
Herbert Flay
Robert Quarry
Oliver Quayle
Linda Hayden
Elizabeth Peters
Natasha Pyne
Julia Wilson
Michael Parkinson
T.V. Interviewer
Barry Dennen
Gerry Blount
Ellis Dayle
Alfred Peters (as Ellis Dale)
Jenny Lee Wright
Carol Clayton
John Garrie
Inspector Harper
Peter Halliday
Psychiatrist
Basil Rathbone
Basil (archive footage)
Boris Karloff
(archive footage)
Hyma Beckley
Passenger on Quayside (uncredited)
George Blackler
George the Make-Up Artist (uncredited)
Robert Cawdron
CID Inspector (uncredited)
Michael Craze
Reporter (uncredited)
David Jackson
Police Sergeant (uncredited)
Patrick Jordan
Ship's Steward (uncredited)
Earl Rhodes
Boy Fishing (uncredited)
Pam Rose
Pretty Blonde (uncredited)
Christopher Sandford
Reporter (uncredited)
Reg Thomason
Hollywood Party Guest (uncredited)

barrymost

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.

John Chard

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's more of fond fan piece than anything substantial. Especially given that the two horror greats don't get enogh screen time together. Pic is packed with too many red herrings and some scenes actually don't make any sense, you sometimes feel that it is written on the fly. The insertion of clips from a couple of Price's Corman films are a nice touch, as are a couple of homages, but it still feels like a cobbled idea for a film cribbing from the "Dr. Phibes" scheme of things. While the big reveal for the finale is a bit of a let down and hardly surprising. So not a great film then (it sat on the shelf for two years before getting released), but there's still plenty enough to enjoy here - not least Corri's mad spider obsessive character, Michael Parkinson interviewing Price, and even Price singing! But mostly it's for fans of Price because his horror career was winding down to a close. 6/10


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