Madhouse (1974)

User Rating:

5.9/10   

Director:

Jim Clark

Writers:

Angus Hall (novel)
Ken Levison (screenplay)
(more)

Release Date:

March 1974 (USA)

Genre:

Crime | Horror | Mystery | Thriller

Tagline:

If Stark Terror Were Ecstasy... living here would be sheer bliss!

Plot:

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.

Plot Keywords:

Murder | Nervous Breakdown | Fiancée | Actor | England

Cast

Vincent Price	...	Paul Toombes
Peter Cushing	...	Herbert Flay
Robert Quarry	...	Oliver Quayle
Adrienne Corri	...	Faye
Linda Hayden	...	Elizabeth Peters
Natasha Pyne	...	Julia
Barry Dennen	...	Blount
Catherine Willmer	...	Louise
Ellis Dayle	...	Alfred
Jenny Lee Wright	...	Carol
John Garrie	...	Harper
Ian Thompson	...	Bradshaw
Julie Crosthwaite	...	Ellen
Peter Halliday	...	Psychiatrist
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Boris Karloff	...	Clip from 'The Raven' (archive footage)
Michael Parkinson	...	TV Interviewer
Basil Rathbone	...	Clip from 'Tales of Terror' (archive footage)
George Blackler	...	George the Make-Up Artist (uncredited)
Robert Cawdron	...	CID Inspector (uncredited)
Michael Craze	...	Reporter (uncredited)
Earl Rhodes	...	Boy Fishing (uncredited)
Christopher Sandford	...	Reporter (uncredited)

Directed by
Jim Clark

Writing credits (in alphabetical order)
Angus Hall		novel "Devilday"
Ken Levison		screenplay
Greg Morrison		screenplay

Produced by
Samuel Z. Arkoff	....	executive producer
John Dark	....	associate producer
Max Rosenberg	....	producer
Milton Subotsky	....	producer

Original Music by
Douglas Gamley

Cinematography by
Ray Parslow

Art Direction by
Tony Curtis

Makeup Department
George Blackler	....	makeup artist

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Michael Green	....	third assistant director
Allan James	....	first assistant director
Nigel Wooll	....	second assistant director (uncredited)

Sound Department
Gerry Humphreys	....	sound re-recording mixer

Camera and Electrical Department
Ian Smith	....	clapper loader

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Dulcie Midwinter	....	costumes

Music Department
Douglas Gamley	....	conductor

Other crew
David Sheldon	....	production executive

Production Companies

• American International Pictures (AIP)
• Amicus Productions

Distributors

• American International Pictures (AIP) (1974) (USA) (theatrical)
• MGM Home Entertainment (2007) (USA) (DVD)
• RCA/Columbia Pictures Video Ltd. (1986) (UK) (VHS)

Also Known As:

Deathday
The Madhouse of Dr. Fear
The Revenge of Dr. Death

Runtime:

92 min | USA:89 min

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

UK:18 (video rating) | UK:X (original rating) | Iceland:16 | Finland:(Banned) | USA:PG

Company:

American International Pictures (AIP)

Trivia:

Peter Cushing dresses as Dracula, an in-joke reference: he frequently played Van Helsing in Hammer's Dracula series.

Goofs:

Revealing mistakes: Julia's dead body is breathing heavily after Paul Toombes discovers her.

Quotes:

[first lines]
Villager in Movie: Dr. Death, where are you? Let's smoke him out!

Movie Connections:

Features House of Usher (1960)

Madhouse A-OK

I thought this "diamond in the rough" was masterfully done. Vincent Price is his old self as the true the master of macabre. It is easy to see that this movie contains many characteristics found heavily in the modern day, surprise ending, slasher flick. With many exciting and suspenseful chase scenes, a wicked masked murderer, quick slashing deaths, and an emotionally disturbed main character, "Madhouse" reminds me of a sick mixture of "Scream" and Hitchcock's classic, "Psycho." In addition, the scenes and camera shots beautifully convey the mood and emotion of the awkward story line. Although obviously low budget, it baffles me that "Madhouse" isn't more recognized on the ongoing list of cult classics. Not the best movie in the world, but certainly worth checking out.