MADHOUSE (1974)

Vincent Price and Peter Cushing have been scaring me since childhood - especially Cushing in Hammer horror films, some of which also featured Christopher Lee keeping me up many a long and freaked-out night as Dracula.  In Madhouse, Price plays actor Paul Toombs, most famous for his creation of "Dr. Death" in a series of low-budget horror films, who years after going mad due to the murder of his young fiancee (it was assumed by many that he'd killed her), is now free and trying to resurrect his career with the help of his friend, writer Herbert Flay (Cushing), when a series of murders emulating killings in his old Dr. Death films begin to occur all over again.  A great premise, but sadly the film topples under the weight of a bad script, worse special effects, and irritating plot holes.  The ending is kind of cool, and it was great to watch Price be Price (Cushing's role is minor by comparison, and the film suffers from that, too), this one can be skipped except by the most ardent of Price/Cushing fans. (rated PG)  D+

MADHOUSE trailer