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Madhouse

- If stark terror were ecstasy...living here would be sheer bliss!

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.

Release Date : 1974-05-22

Language :English

Adult : false

Status : Released

Production Company : Amicus ProductionsAmerican International Pictures

Production Country : United KingdomUnited States of America

Alternative Titles :

Cast

Character Name : Paul Toombes

Original Name : Vincent Price

Gender : Male

Character Name : Herbert Flay

Original Name : Peter Cushing

Gender : Male

Character Name : Oliver Quayle

Original Name : Robert Quarry

Gender : Male

Character Name : Faye

Original Name : Adrienne Corri

Gender : Female

Character Name : Elizabeth Peters

Original Name : Linda Hayden

Gender : Female

Character Name : Julia Wilson

Original Name : Natasha Pyne

Gender : Female

Character Name : T.V. Interviewer

Original Name : Michael Parkinson

Gender : Male

Character Name : Gerry Blount

Original Name : Barry Dennen

Gender : Male

Character Name : Alfred Peters (as Ellis Dale)

Original Name : Ellis Dayle

Gender : Male

Character Name : Louise Peters

Original Name : Catherine Willmer

Gender : Male

Character Name : Carol Clayton

Original Name : Jenny Lee Wright

Gender : Female

Character Name : Ellen

Original Name : Julie Crosthwaite

Gender : Female

Character Name : Inspector Harper

Original Name : John Garrie

Gender : Male

Character Name : Bradshaw

Original Name : Ian Thompson

Gender : Male

Character Name : Psychiatrist

Original Name : Peter Halliday

Gender : Male

Character Name : Basil (archive footage)

Original Name : Basil Rathbone

Gender : Male

Character Name : (archive footage)

Original Name : Boris Karloff

Gender : Male

Character Name : Passenger on Quayside (uncredited)

Original Name : Hyma Beckley

Gender : Male

Character Name : George the Make-Up Artist (uncredited)

Original Name : George Blackler

Gender : Male

Character Name : CID Inspector (uncredited)

Original Name : Robert Cawdron

Gender : Male

Character Name : Reporter (uncredited)

Original Name : Michael Craze

Gender : Male

Character Name : Police Sergeant (uncredited)

Original Name : David Jackson

Gender : Male

Character Name : Ship's Steward (uncredited)

Original Name : Patrick Jordan

Gender : Male

Character Name : Boy Fishing (uncredited)

Original Name : Earl Rhodes

Gender : Male

Character Name : Pretty Blonde (uncredited)

Original Name : Pam Rose

Gender : Female

Character Name : Reporter (uncredited)

Original Name : Christopher Sandford

Gender : Male

Character Name : Hollywood Party Guest (uncredited)

Original Name : Reg Thomason

Gender : Male

Reviews

barrymost

@barrymost

2021-06-23

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 the two stars, are the only reasons this gets a rating of 6/10 from me. Would I recommend? Not particularly, as there are much better films you could watch to see Price and Cushing at their best. But it's one of your few chances to see both great actors together, and it isn't a total waste of time.

John Chard

@John Chard

2024-05-16

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 real life murders... The madhouse of the title is a metaphor for the movie making industry, with the makers here clearly having some sly asides to the industry that made them, whilst some of the in-jokes are sharply observed. Featuring genre legends Price from "AIP" and Cushing from "Hammer", it's a horror picture that's more of fond fan piece than anything substantial. Especially given that the two horror greats don't get enogh screen time together. Pic is packed with too many red herrings and some scenes actually don't make any sense, you sometimes feel that it is written on the fly. The insertion of clips from a couple of Price's Corman films are a nice touch, as are a couple of homages, but it still feels like a cobbled idea for a film cribbing from the "Dr. Phibes" scheme of things. While the big reveal for the finale is a bit of a let down and hardly surprising. So not a great film then (it sat on the shelf for two years before getting released), but there's still plenty enough to enjoy here - not least Corri's mad spider obsessive character, Michael Parkinson interviewing Price, and even Price singing! But mostly it's for fans of Price because his horror career was winding down to a close. 6/10