Madhouse (1974)

 Madhouse (1974)


In my past reviews I talked about some of the Corman-Poe Cycle films that starred Vincent Price, this review is taking a look at Madhouse from 1974, which isn't directed by Roger Corman or based on an Edgar Allan Poe story, but this film uses footage of the films I talked about previously as part of the film.  Madhouse is an interesting film about an aging horror actor played by Vincent Price who is offered an opportunity to play his famous character Dr. Death again in a television show.  But when he returns to filming, people mysteriously start dying in deaths modeled after the deaths from his old films.   Is he committing these murders and not aware of it, or is there something even more sinister happening?  Vincent Price is joined with Hammer Horror Films icon Peter Cushing in this delightfully evil whodunnit-horror film. 

Mad house was directed by Jim Clark, with a screenplay written by Ken Levison and Greg Morrison.  The film is based on Angus Hall's 1969 novel Devilday.  Madhouse was produced by Amicus Productions and American International Pictures, and was distributed by American International Pictures in 1974.  The film features footage shown on screens within the film of past Vincent Price films such as The Pit And The Pendulum, The Raven, Tales Of Terror, among other, and because Boris Karloff and Basil Rathbone are in some of those clips, they got mentioned in the credits.   The film received mix reviews from the critics and performed less impressive than past films that Vincent Price did with American International Pictures.  The film is also sometimes referred to as "The Revenge Of Dr. Death".   

Madhouse stars Vincent Price as Paul Toombes, Peter Cushing as Herbert Flay, Adrienne Corri as Faye Carstairs Flay, Robert Quarry as Oliver Quale, Natasha Pyne as Julia Wilson, and Linda Hayden as Elizabeth Peters.   The film has a great cast, who are amazing at bringing their characters to life.  Vincent Price's performance is quite convincing, he feels like he is tired, like the aging semi retired actor that he is playing.   He is joined on screen by horror legend Peter Cushing, who plays his friend who in the film helps to create the Dr. Death character.   

This is a beautiful film, the cinematography is well done, and it has some wonderful sets and costume designs, especially with the iconic look of Vincent Price as Dr. Death.   The film reminds me of a Hammer Horror film, with the way that it looks, and the gore and just general feel of the film.  This is a stylistic horror film, with elements of mystery and suspense, with some good old gory horror, and just a touch of humour to keep it fun.  If you have not yet seen this film, I highly recommend it, I feel like this is a must see horror film that brings the classic horror era into the modern horror era, and it does it quite effectively.  If you come across a copy of Madhouse, don't pass it up, it is a film that should be a part of every film collectors library.  

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