Das Schreckenshaus des Dr. Death (1974)

Das Schreckenshaus des Dr. Death: Directed by Jim Clark. With Vincent Price, Peter Cushing, Robert Quarry, Adrienne Corri. 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.

“The general consensus surrounding this film seems to be that itu0026#39;s a disappointment; and while I admit that Madhouse could have been a lot better considering the cast and ideas involved, in general; Iu0026#39;m very happy with the film. Every Vincent Price film that I havenu0026#39;t seen (not many left) is an automatic target for me, and this one also features a performance from the great Peter Cushing, which is a bonus. The central plot isnu0026#39;t all that original, but it still stands as a nice tribute to Vincent Priceu0026#39;s career, and the way that director Jim Clark uses clips from classic Vincent Price movies such as Tales of Terror, House of Usher and The Pit and the Pendulum is good and reminds us of what a huge asset to cinema Vincent Price has been. The plot sees Price playing hammy horror movie actor Paul Toombes, famous for the role of u0026#39;Doctor Deathu0026#39;. When his wife is killed, Toombes vows never to play Doctor Death again; but on the advice of his friend and Doctor Death writer some years later, he reprises the role – and the murders continue.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eThe main problem with this movie is simply that itu0026#39;s not always interesting enough. Jim Clark seems content to rely on Priceu0026#39;s star power; which is often just about sufficient to see the film through, although sometimes it could have done with something else. Peter Cushingu0026#39;s role isnu0026#39;t too much more than a cameo appearance – but it is nice to see these two great actors on screen together. As you might expect, Vincent Price slots into his self-replicating role nicely, and he seems to enjoy playing it. The story doesnu0026#39;t have much depth, however, and while the murder sequences are interesting and see things such as a woman being skewered with a rake and someone being crushed by an automated special effect bed. The script doesnu0026#39;t give much allowance for red herrings and through the one or two that there are; you donu0026#39;t have to be Sherlock Holmes to spot which one it is. The film attempts a double twist ending, and while it plays out nicely; both are highly predictable and derivative of other movies that have carried off the same twists to better effect. But even so, you can always count on Price movies for entertainment; and this is entertaining despite its shortfalls.”