Theater des Grauens (1973)

Theater des Grauens: Directed by Douglas Hickox. With Vincent Price, Diana Rigg, Ian Hendry, Harry Andrews. A Shakespearean actor takes poetic revenge on the critics who denied him recognition.

“Vincent Price plays Lionheart, an actor who specializes in Shakespeare. But heu0026#39;s been getting bad reviews, and did not receive the Critics Circle award. Thereu0026#39;s only one thing to do: kill off each of the critics in a style modeled after a Shakespearean death.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eAlthough not a Phibes film, this is clearly in the same grouping as u0026quot;The Abominable Dr. Phibesu0026quot; and its sequel, coming only one year later, and following much the same formula: a man who was thought dead goes after those who wronged him in a methodical manner (here, Shakespeare) and with a female assistant. They also asked Robert Fuest to direct, clearly trying to make the picture as similar as possible.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eThere are some great scenes, and for me none more memorable than Priceu0026#39;s disguise as Butch, the effeminate hair dresser. In general, the whole idea of hippie, homeless slaves (who seem to like big mustaches and afros) is just plain silly, but works in this case.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003ePrice is alleged to have loved this role, and Diana Rigg (who plays his daughter) is said to find this her favorite role. I have to say I prefer u0026quot;Phibesu0026quot;, but thereu0026#39;s never a bad time for Vincent Price, especially when heu0026#39;s on killing spree.”