Madhouse

During the early 1970s, Vincent Price enjoyed considerable success as a master of horror in three gleefully sadistic revenge films: The Abominable Doctor Phibes, Dr. Phibes Rises Again and Theatre of Blood. Madhouse (1974) attempted to capitalize on the popularity of these earlier films, but failed miserably, sending Price's career into a downward spiral from which it never fully recovered. Price here plays Paul Toombes, a has-been Hollywood actor who once starred in a series of shockers as a skeletal-faced killer called Dr. Death (altered clips from Price's earlier movies are used to simulate scenes from the fictitious movies). Toombes' popularity—and sanity—collapsed, however, after it was assumed that he murdered his far younger fiancée. Now, following years out of the limelight, he's called to England to star in a TV series that revives his old character. Of course, people who are associated with the production start dying, and Toombes becomes the natural suspect. Madhouse strives for over-the-top ghoulishness, but the script makes the cardinal error of portraying Toombes more as put-upon victim than prospective villain, and Jim Clark's slipshod direction only adds to the impression that this was a misguided effort to cash in quickly on Price's recent hits. The only reason to watch Madhouse is that it offers a chance to see Price share the screen with another horror icon, Peter Cushing, playing the writer who created Dr. Death. Making its Blu-ray debut, extras include an audio commentary by film historian David Del Valle, and a “making-of” featurette. Optional, at best. (F. Swietek)