IMDb RATING
6.2/10
4.5K
YOUR RATING
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.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.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.
- Awards
- 1 nomination
Julie Crosthwaite
- Ellen Mason
- (as Julie Crosthwait)
Luana Anders
- Catherine Medina (Clip from 'The Pit and the Pendulum')
- (archive footage)
John Dierkes
- West (Clip from 'The Haunted Palace')
- (archive footage)
Boris Karloff
- Clip from 'The Raven'
- (archive footage)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThe title credits include special participation by Basil Rathbone and Boris Karloff. Both men were deceased, having died in the late 60s. However, they appear in clips from real films they acted in with Vincent Price: Rathbone in Tales of Terror (1962) and Karloff in The Raven (1963).
- GoofsJulia's dead body is breathing heavily after Paul Toombes discovers her.
- Quotes
Paul Toombes: Miss Peters, as they say in horror movies, you will come to a bad end.
- Crazy credits"With special participation by Boris Karloff (and) Basil Rathbone." At time of film''s release in 1974, both actors had been been dead five and seven years respectively, and their "special participation" was limited to appearance in clips from old films in which they'd appeared with Vincent Price.
- ConnectionsFeatured in The Horror Hall of Fame (1974)
- SoundtracksWhen Day Is Done
Performed by Vincent Price
Featured review
A nice nod to Price's early career
The general consensus surrounding this film seems to be that it's a disappointment; and while I admit that Madhouse could have been a lot better considering the cast and ideas involved, in general; I'm very happy with the film. Every Vincent Price film that I haven't seen (not many left) is an automatic target for me, and this one also features a performance from the great Peter Cushing, which is a bonus. The central plot isn't all that original, but it still stands as a nice tribute to Vincent Price's career, and the way that director Jim Clark uses clips from classic Vincent Price movies such as Tales of Terror, House of Usher and The Pit and the Pendulum is good and reminds us of what a huge asset to cinema Vincent Price has been. The plot sees Price playing hammy horror movie actor Paul Toombes, famous for the role of 'Doctor Death'. When his wife is killed, Toombes vows never to play Doctor Death again; but on the advice of his friend and Doctor Death writer some years later, he reprises the role - and the murders continue.
The main problem with this movie is simply that it's not always interesting enough. Jim Clark seems content to rely on Price's star power; which is often just about sufficient to see the film through, although sometimes it could have done with something else. Peter Cushing's role isn't too much more than a cameo appearance - but it is nice to see these two great actors on screen together. As you might expect, Vincent Price slots into his self-replicating role nicely, and he seems to enjoy playing it. The story doesn't have much depth, however, and while the murder sequences are interesting and see things such as a woman being skewered with a rake and someone being crushed by an automated special effect bed. The script doesn't give much allowance for red herrings and through the one or two that there are; you don't have to be Sherlock Holmes to spot which one it is. The film attempts a double twist ending, and while it plays out nicely; both are highly predictable and derivative of other movies that have carried off the same twists to better effect. But even so, you can always count on Price movies for entertainment; and this is entertaining despite its shortfalls.
The main problem with this movie is simply that it's not always interesting enough. Jim Clark seems content to rely on Price's star power; which is often just about sufficient to see the film through, although sometimes it could have done with something else. Peter Cushing's role isn't too much more than a cameo appearance - but it is nice to see these two great actors on screen together. As you might expect, Vincent Price slots into his self-replicating role nicely, and he seems to enjoy playing it. The story doesn't have much depth, however, and while the murder sequences are interesting and see things such as a woman being skewered with a rake and someone being crushed by an automated special effect bed. The script doesn't give much allowance for red herrings and through the one or two that there are; you don't have to be Sherlock Holmes to spot which one it is. The film attempts a double twist ending, and while it plays out nicely; both are highly predictable and derivative of other movies that have carried off the same twists to better effect. But even so, you can always count on Price movies for entertainment; and this is entertaining despite its shortfalls.
helpful•382
- The_Void
- Sep 14, 2006
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Details
- Release date
- Countries of origin
- Language
- Also known as
- Das Schreckenshaus des Dr. Death
- Filming locations
- Pyrford Place, West Byfleet, Surrey, England, UK(Herbert Flay's house)
- Production companies
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
- Runtime1 hour 29 minutes
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 1.85 : 1
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