Madhouse(1974)

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…

Reviewed on September 30, 2019

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…

Reviewed on October 17, 2019

**_Price and Cushing in this clunky Brit precursor to “Scream”_** Shot in the late spring of 1973 under the (superior) title “The Revenge of Dr. Death,” it was changed to the generic “Madhouse.” It didn’t open in the USA until a year and a half later in December 1974. I couldn’t help but think of “Scream” a couple of times while watching, so this obviously influenced that more popular 1996 slasher (and I like it…

Reviewed on November 11, 2025