Madhouse seemed like if would fit the bill. It's rated-PG, and who doesn't like Vincent Price? Plus I've heard decent things about it. I didn't take notes (since I was watching with her, which doesn't really make any sense in hindsight), but was hoping it would be easy enough to remember. Well, it was certainly enjoyable and a decent flick, but not super-memorable. So if this is a bit on the brief side, my apologies.
Vincent Price stars aging horror icon Paul Toombes (easy casting, right? Price had been acting for 35 years at this point). We meet him and his young fiancee at a screening/party celebrating the umpteenth film of his signature character, Dr. Death. At the party are a number of his acquaintances, including his writer friend Hebert Flay (played by another horror icon Peter Cushing), a bitter former flame (Adrienne Corri), and some jealous types, most notably malicious producer Oliver Quayle (Robert Quarry). After Quayle exposes Toombes future wife's history in the adult film business, Toombes snaps at her and she retreats to her room. After a few minutes of brushing her hair and looking in the mirror (which seems to be the go to action for sad women in the movies of this era) someone in a Dr. Death costume comes in a murders her. Some time later, Toombes comes in to apologize - and finds her dead!
Incidentally, since I'm a nerd, every mention of Dr. Death brought to mind pro-wrestler "Dr. Death" Steve Williams. I like to imagine what this movie could have been with him in the title role instead.
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| The 2 Doctor Deaths Which one is scarier?* |
Flash forward ten years - Toombes has quit show business due to the stress that followed the murder. Although many suspect him to be the culprit, there wasn't enough proof charge him with a crime. Eventually, his old friend (Cushing) convinces him to once again don the old Dr. Death cape for a television series - a series that, unbeknownst to Toombes, is being produced by weaselly Oliver Quayle. Since this is a horror movie, bad things start to happen, and people on set end up dead... potentially at the hands of Dr. Death. Has Toombes cracked under the pressure of revisiting his past? Or is someone setting him up? Tune it to find out!
Generally, Vincent Price is be the main strength of any project he's involved in - and Madhouse is no exception. He's got such a charismatic screen presence, and it's fun to see him play a role that acknowledges his personal history as a horror icon. Also, he's in his 60's here, so when you see Toombes the character reflect on his past, it's easy to imagine Vincent Price the actor doing the same thing. It's a nice little bit of meta-storytelling, and adds some gravitas to the role.
The supporting cast was solid too - Peter Cushing is the man, and is in better spirits than the last time I saw him in The Ghoul. But his part is pretty underwritten, and sadly we don't get to see all that much of him. It's notable that he's here, but it's wouldn't be worth checking it out for him alone. Robert Quarry is great as the slimy producer - it's always important to have a character that you want to see die, and you pretty much hate him from the get go. Well played.
Adrienne Corri plays aging starlet Faye Carstairs Flay almost a little too crazily. I suspect that was the intention (the name seems to be a tip off), but she's the most outlandish and unbelievable character in a film that is more or less grounded in reality. Well, realistic except for this weird sub-sub plot about a couple who think Toombes killed their daughter, and chase him around to attempt to blackmail him. I think it's supposed to be comedic, but it totally falls flat. It makes no sense and could have been cut from the movie entirely with no ill effects. Except there would be two less people to die.
Also, while Toombes is shooting the new Dr. Death TV show, he stays at Herbert Flay (Cushing)'s house/estate. I love that it looked like a pretty normal (albeit big) house, but when you went into the basement it was a straight up dungeon. Maybe that's just how it is in England. Makes for good horror movies, I guess.
The central mystery was decent too - really, this is more of a mystery than a horror movie. All of the deaths are relatively tame, and even the gross stuff isn't overly bloody. It would probably be PG-13 today, but a soft PG-13. Not a bad choice if you are watching with someone with delicate sensibilities. (Although my wife couldn't finish it - not because it was too gross. I think she was just bored.)
There are some gaps in logic as it pertains to the ending - it wraps up satisfactorily, but there are a couple of times where you just need to accept some kind of unbelievable things. It makes it seem like one of our main characters could be magic, or at least an expert escape artist. Although I wouldn't discount that there is a different ending that was added on late, or a little fudging about on the studios part to get a PG rating - for a movie where probably 8-10 people are murdered, it's a bloodless affair.
At any rate, it's certainly enjoyable and safe for the whole family. Although only you may like it.
I would recommend this film.
*apparently "Dr. Death" Steve Williams the wrestler, was one of wrestling's most feared legitimate badasses. I would press my luck against an aging horror-icon with a knife versus some guy who could get pissed and probably tear my arms off for real.
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