Madhouse (The Madhouse of Dr. Fear)(Deathday)(The Revenge of Dr. Death) (1974)

56% of users liked it
(488 ratings)

This semi-serious horror film represented the first on-screen pairing of icons Vincent Price and Peter Cushing, who play, respectively, aging former horror star Paul Toombes and actor-turned-writer Herbert Flay, who unite in an effort to revive the popularity of Toombes' screen character "Dr. Death"… More This semi-serious horror film represented the first on-screen pairing of icons Vincent Price and Peter Cushing, who play, respectively, aging former horror star Paul Toombes and actor-turned-writer Herbert Flay, who unite in an effort to revive the popularity of Toombes' screen character "Dr. Death" for a TV series. Having recently recovered from a nervous breakdown, Toombes comes under suspicion when several members of the show's cast and crew are murdered in grisly reenactments of Dr. Death's greatest movie moments (as depicted in numerous colorful clips from some of Price's AIP films for Roger Corman). Though it at times aspires to the level of Price's classic of macabre humor Theater of Blood, this film tends to stumble due to a middling script that dodges the opportunity to generate energy from the interaction of its two superb leads. Also known as The Revenge of Dr. Death. ~ Cavett Binion, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: PG, 1 hr. 29 min.
Directed By: Jim Clark
Genres: Drama, Horror, Mystery & Suspense

In Theaters: Mar 1, 1974 Wide

Critic Reviews

Steve Biodrowski, ESplatter
A weak genre effort, Madhouse makes little if any effort to transcend the horror label, instead offering up familiar elements for the benefit of undemanding viewers. Nevertheless, it is amusing for [Vincent] Price fans.
Stefan Birgir Stefansson, sbs.is
only worth something because of the bizarre ending
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
Cheesy but enjoyable.

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Featured Audience Ratings

Tim S

And here we are again with another Vincent Price classic. I call it as such because the film is slightly autobigoraphical in nature, but disguised as a horror film (or even a giallo, if you ask me). Madhouse doesn't necessarily take place in its namesake, but it's more about… More
And here we are again with another Vincent Price classic. I call it as such because the film is slightly autobigoraphical in nature, but disguised as a horror film (or even a giallo, if you ask me). Madhouse doesn't necessarily take place in its namesake, but it's more about Hollywood, the pressures of performing and the murder that tags along with all of that, so actually the title is somewhat appropriate. It's been highly publicized that this film is looked down on because it features both Vincent Price and Peter Cushing in lead roles, but they have hardly any screen time together. To me it's one of the film's strengths. If it had been that way, then it would have been a very different film altogether, and the focus as an audience would be strictly on that (as it was anyway, I guess). I like that the film focuses on its story and not the politics involved in the making of it. The story itself is quite good, save for a couple of cheesy moments, but it has an underlying theme of actors under pressure, which is something that I'm sure Vincent Price and Peter Cushing could relate to quite well. I found it to be smart and fun, and certainly different from other work from both Vincent Price and Peter Cushing, and that alone is worth the time to see it. Be sure to watch out for the use of footage from earlier Vincent Price films featuring Boris Karloff and Basil Rathbone.
Randy T

A mildly effective but harmless vehicle for venerable horror icons Vincent Price, Peter Cushing, Basil Rathbone and Boris Karloff.
Bruce B

I watched this one on Netflix over the web. Not sure why everyone is so pissed about Netflix, I've been a member since they started and feel that its a fair price for 3 DVDs and Unlimited Streaming. This is from the midnite movie collection, though its not offered as the usual… More
I watched this one on Netflix over the web. Not sure why everyone is so pissed about Netflix, I've been a member since they started and feel that its a fair price for 3 DVDs and Unlimited Streaming. This is from the midnite movie collection, though its not offered as the usual Double film. Another one of Vincent Prices not so special movies. Vincent has a habit of blacking out, when he comes to a murder has been committed and he's not sure if he's the killer. Not his best but a Vincent Price movie that thrilled many of Drive in Goers. 3 stars
AJ V

I really liked this movie, Price almost plays himself, as he's a horror movie star in the movie. It's really interesting, and if you're a fan of his you wont want to miss it.
Greg S

When young actresses start turning up dead, suspicion naturally focuses on horror icon Paul Toombes, who has just been released from a mental hospital and is trying to resurrect his career as his old character "Dr. Death." Vincent Price, Peter Cushing and old clips from… More
When young actresses start turning up dead, suspicion naturally focuses on horror icon Paul Toombes, who has just been released from a mental hospital and is trying to resurrect his career as his old character "Dr. Death." Vincent Price, Peter Cushing and old clips from better Price vehicles liven up this otherwise ordinary horror/mystery.
Byron B

I caught this on TV. In truth, I only watched the first half. I'm rating this even though I didn't finish it. I haven't seen many Vincent Price movies, so I suppose I could have finished watching out of curiosity, but I decided not to stay up and lose more sleep.… More
I caught this on TV. In truth, I only watched the first half. I'm rating this even though I didn't finish it. I haven't seen many Vincent Price movies, so I suppose I could have finished watching out of curiosity, but I decided not to stay up and lose more sleep. One beautiful red headed actress from the film premiere party at the beginning later turns up in the basement of Cushing's character. She has lost all her hair and is talking to her pet tarantula. I couldn't take anymore campy horror stupidity!