Madhouse – 1974 | 92 mins | Horror | Colour

Plot Synopsis

Satisfactorily vividtale of an actor’s revenge that tepidly blends shivers and chuckle in the veinof Theatre of Blood. The co-production between Amicus and the UK arm ofAmerican International was shot at Twickenham Studios in the summer of 1973 bydirector Jim Clark, who attempted to replace the tongue-in-cheek horror of theDr. Phibes films with a fusion of wit and brooding tension. Unfortunately,Madhouse is an unsatisfactory production, Clark’s direction is lax and lacks invisual flair, the editing is choppy, and the leaden script suffers from anincoherent narrative and lapses in logic that can be traced to hands-onproducer Milton Subotsky who butchered the film in post-production. Vincent Priceadds a deeper piquancy to the mixture as AIP were able to bolster the film withhighlights from their Corman/Poe back catalogue. There is a sterling supportcast headed by Peter Cushing, Robert Quarry and Linda Hayden, but all arelargely underused and unable to make an impression.

After a nervousbreakdown, veteran Hollywood horror Paul Toombes (Vincent Price) attempts acomeback on the small screen in Britain with the help of adult film producer OliverQuayle (Robert Quarry). In England, Toombes is reunited with Dr. Deathscriptwriter and embittered actor Herbert Flay (Peter Cushing), and agrees toreprise the character who has brought him fame and fortune in a number ofmovies; Dr. Death. When a series of real life Dr Death-style killings occur, theactor struggles to tell fantasy from reality and becomes haunted by his screenpast. Naturally the police make him the prime suspect.