MADHOUSE
***
Directed by Jim Clark.
Starring Vincent Price, Peter Cushing, Robert Quarry.
Horror, US, 92 Minutes, Certificate 18.
Released in the UK on Limited Edition Blu-ray on June 22nd by Eureka Entertainment.
Fans of 1970’s horror will no doubt delight with the UK Hi-def debut of Vincent Price and Peter Cushing’s proto slasher that also throws in a self-aware strain of meta humour. Price portrays horror star Paul Toombes, an aging actor most famous for his role of the ghoulishly face-painted Dr Death. Falling in love with beautiful young starlet Ellen, Toombes seems set for a life of contentment until Ellen’s unfortunate murder at the hands of someone dressed as the actor's most famous character. Spiralling into madness, Toombes is cleared of the murder but years later in the UK when forced to don the face paint and cape once more for a UK television series, he begins to question his sanity once more when those close to him fall prey to a more than familiar figure.
Director Jim Clark was more famous for his editing work on the likes of MARATHON MAN, THE KILLING FIELDS and VERA DREW among many other highly regarded films. MADHOUSE was his only horror film in his short career as a director. For a single entry he really was offered an embarrassment of riches with his cast. As well as the headline double act of Price and Cushing, he was also lucky enough to rope in Robert Quarry, who had recently made a mark in the COUNT YORGA films, as a ruthless producer, Linda Hayden (minus her foreboding eyebrows from BLOOD ON SATAN’S CLAW) as an ambitious starlet and Adrienne Corri, still infamous for her role as the cat lady victim in A CLOCKWORK ORANGE from three years earlier. This small who’s who of cult actors is just one reason why MADHOUSE is so entertaining to revisit. Also of interest is an early example of the genre going meta where Price’s past works are presented as those of Toombes own, where we see him facing off against the likes of Boris Karloff from other films that were handily also released by producer Samuel Z. Arkoff’s American International Pictures.
The main reason for checking this out is for Price himself. Filmed in his playful 1970’s heyday after the Doctor Phibes films and THEATRE OF BLOOD, Price often goes into full gear with his guilt ridden protagonist here. The scenes where he goes into full meltdown or delivering a soliloquy at full volume are scenery chewing at its finest, a reminder of how delightful and playful a performer he could be. His scenes with Cushing seem to highlight a genuine warmth between them. Also of special interest is a scene where he sits down for a television interview with none other than Michael Parkinson, who looks totally amused at the whole situation.
The Blu-ray is nicely presented with a clean, sharp picture highlighting the 70’s British gothic atmosphere in all of its cold and damp glory. Extras wise there is a commentary from David Del Valle, providing yet another informative and enthusiastic track that illustrates his knowledge of all things AIP as well as Price, while gothic horror scholar Mary Going provides a video essay on the film. Special mention should also go to the intro from horror author Stephen Laws, who also provides enthusiastic info on the film alongside an explanation for his particular fondness for it as well as some juicy gossip detailing Price’s acrimonious relationship with his producers.
White it may lack the everlasting appeal and inventiveness of his 70’s classics, there is enough on offer here to appeal to horror fans and not just Price and/or Cushing completists. More than a curio or footnote, this an always entertaining and always interesting example of not just Price in his heyday but also as an early example of the meta-slasher genre decades before the likes of Kevin Williamson and Wes Craven perfected the formula with SCREAM.
Iain MacLeod