Vincent Price plays a once successful Horror actor Paul Toombes. Who is tricked out of a 'break down' imposed retirement, to reprise his most famous role, Dr Death. Very quickly things take a turn for the worse. Not only is he hassled by blackmailing actresses, but the TV series is being run by a producer he has no respect for. Then to make matters worse, the cast and crew start getting bumped off in reenactments of the Dr's best murders. No one, let alone Paul himself, is sure who is responsible for these crimes. Is it the unstable actor, or is he the victim of a conspiracy? Reality and madness soon become very mixed for the poor man.

This is not as slick, or smoothly constructed as other Price vehicles, but is a highly entertaining film. There is very much a feeling of self parody to the proceedings, but never so much that it detracts from the actual Horror story.

I'm not sure how gory the film actually is, as the copy I watched, was an edited version. In this case though it didn't seem to detract from my enjoyment. I actually really liked the style of first few death scenes. Neither of which were very explicit. The freeze frame, and zoom in to the victims faces was really effective. I'm sure these stylish exits were not instigated by the censor, because they look great. There is also a fantastic close up of Price, when he discovers his decapitated wife. The look of madness on his face, coupled with the style of the shot, makes for a very over the top dramatic moment. Visualising his decent in to a break down perfectly.

Peter Cushing is slightly under used, as Toombes's two faced friend, and Dr Death, script writer. Luckily this is made up for in his final few scenes. Settling down to watch a movie he made of his friends fiery demise, he is obviously shocked to find the real Toombes emerge from behind the projection. Both these deranged characters then fight it out to the death. Toombes finally gets the upper hand, when Flays equally crazy wife, intervenes, and sticks a knife in her husbands back. In true horror film fashion, this is not quite a gruesome enough death for the 'bad guy'. So Flay's body is also devoured by his wife's pet spiders.

It turns out that under the contract, Herbert Flay would get to play the TV shows main character should any thing happen to it's star. Assumed dead by all, Paul Toombes takes Flays place. Thus he is able to play Dr Death yet again. This scenario makes for a great final scene. Toombes (now as Herbert Flay), and Faye Flay sit down to dinner, both totally bonkers, but both happy with their new situation. A truly insane end to a suitably mad film.

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

Directed: James Clark

Linda Hayden Content:
This time She plays a scheming actress, who is looking to further her career by latching on to Paul Toombes (Very much the opposite of her own film career I'd say, and quite an amusingly unfitting role considering the ridiculously small part she has in this film, and much of the other work she took around this time). Elizabeth Peters is desperate to get the role of 'leading lady' in the Dr Death TV show, but no matter what she tries, Toombes is having none of it. Seduction, set ups, and even blackmail, all fail to get the pushy young actress what she wants. Her biggest success though comes when prowling around the darkened gardens of Herbert Flay's historic house. Where, she finally gets to play Dr Death's victim, but unfortunately for her, it happens to be for real. She exits via a pitch fork through the neck. Looks painful, but is at least a more dignified death than her Boys From Brazil 'offing'.

The recurring theme for these write-ups seems to be, me moaning that Linda's character isn't in the film for long enough. This one is no exception. Unlike Vampira though, the saving grace of Madhouse, is that it is actually a good film. Linda or no Linda. This is not to diminish her role, because the writer's could easily have extended the part of fame hungry Miss Peter's. All her scenes (apart from the night time garden search, and eventual death) are very quickly paced, which is a shame because Linda doesn't really get a chance to make them her own. It would have been more interesting if she had been a greater nuisance to Toombes. Her equally greedy stepparents are also very entertaining, who's death scene is a great skewering incident.

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