MADHOUSE (1974)

 

This collaboration between Amicus and American-International Pictures was designated by AIP executive Samuel Z. Arkoff as the last of its prolific cycle of horror films. The reigning star of most of those films, the legendary Vincent Price, gives one of his best performances. He is joined by two other major actors of the horror genre, Peter Cushing and Robert Quarry. The casting is the main reason horror fans can appreciate this picture, along with the colorful set design and the excellent camera work. The somewhat derivative plot and its unsatisfying conclusion most likely won't bother most fans.

Mr. Price stars as Paul Toombes, a horror movie actor known for playing a character called Dr. Death. The character was created by writer, and former actor, Herbert Flay (Peter Cushing). At the film's beginning, Toombes and Flay are having a party celebrating the opening of their fifth Dr. Death movie. Toombes is there with his beautiful young fiance, Ellen Mason (Julie Crosthwait). Adult film producer Oliver Quayle (Robert Quarry) goads Toombes by telling him the woman used to appear in his sex movies. This enrages Toombes, who lashes out at his fiance. Later that evening, she is murdered by a man wearing the Dr. Death makeup and costume. Toombes finds her, and goes mad with grief and horror, not knowing for sure if he was the one who murdered her. He is found not guilty of the crime, but is sent away to a mental hospital for twelve years. Upon his release, Flay, now associated with Quayle, asks Toombes to recreate the Dr. Death character for a new television series. As the production begins, a series of grisly murders takes place, with Toombes being the most likely suspect.

Nothing terribly original is going on here. However, the energetic performances by all concerned make the film an enjoyable watch. Cult horror actress Linda Hayden has a good supporting role as a very pushy young actress who tries to finagle her way into a role in the TV series. And Adrienne Corri is extremely creepy as the miserable, nearly insane wife of Herbert Fay. The lady lives in a basement populated mostly by spiders whom she cuddles and cares for as her "babies". Also notable is Natasha Pyne, who plays Toombes public relations manager, Julie Wilson. She is one of the few people Toombes is able to trust, and she is close to discovering the identity of the murderer when she meets her own demise. Of course, the most rewarding scenes for fans are the ones featuring interactions between Price, Cushing and Quarry. None of these scenes disappoint, and these gentlemen are more than capable of transcending the somewhat weak story.

Like many 1970's horror films, MADHOUSE is little more than a succession of creatively conceived killings. I have to admit, though, the killings weren't nearly as graphic and exploitational as I was expecting. A major plus for those of us with weak stomachs and limited taste for blood and gore.

One of the coolest things about the movie is the use of clips from several of the AIP horror classics that Mr. Price had starred in over the years. These clips are used as scenes from the Dr. Death films. Included are: THE HAUNTED PALACE, THE PIT AND THE PENDULUM, HOUSE OF USHER, TALES OF TERROR, MASQUE OF THE RED DEATH and THE RAVEN. Some of the familiar faces include Boris Karloff, Basil Rathbone, Hazel Court, John Kerr, Luana Anders, Mark Damon and Myrna Fayhe. Mr. Karloff and Mr. Rathbone are given "special participation" credits. It's interesting to note that in none of these clips, when Price's characters are seen, do they resemble the Dr. Death image we see in MADHOUSE, with his skull face makeup and his long black cape and top hat. That, however, is a minor quibble that can be easily overlooked.

The story was based on the novel Devilday by Angus Hall. The film was directed by Jim Clark. He was known primarily as a film editor (THE INNOCENTS, THE KILLING FIELDS, MARATHON MAN)  and was a creative consultant on MIDNIGHT COWBOY.