Dr Terror’s House of Horrors is a fascinating and fast paced example of portmanteau filmmaking
with a deadly twist in the tale…. Dr Terror foretells the future… and five men wish he hadn’t…
This was Amicus Productions’ first of 16 horror films made between 1965 and 1977, 7 of which
were portmanteau films. The portmanteau style of film helped Amicus (who’s small budget meant
filming was done in 2 weeks) get established actors in their films, enabling them to compete with
the better known horror film producer – Hammer Film Productions. Hammer film actors such as
Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee were brought in to the cast whilst only needing to be paid for a
fifth of the movie, rather than the full film.
This cult classic is directed by horror veteran and two time Academy Award winner Freddie Francis
who worked with David Lynch on The Elephant Man (1980), Dune (1984), and The Straight Story
(1999). The film stars Peter Cushing, Christopher Lee, Roy Castle and Donald Sutherland.
Francis directed Peter Cushing 8 times saying “I think Peter is absolutely wonderful – there is not an
actor in the world who can speak rubbish like Peter and make it sound real”.
Anyone who ever watched Record Breakers knows that Roy Castle played the trumpet, but Castle
who plays a jazz musician in the film, mimed his Voodoo track performance with the Tubby Hayes
Quintet in the film. Castle replaced jazz legend Acker Bilk at the last minute after he had a heart
attack. Virtuoso musician Tubby Hayes’ performance is a highlight of the film as Tubby was at the
peak of his career when the film was released. Castle released “Dr. Terror’s House Of
Horrors/Voodoo Girl” as a 7-inch 45 vinyl in 1965 which is now highly sought after.
Synopsis: Dr. Terror (Peter Cushing) is a mysterious fortune teller who boards a train to tell fellow
passengers (including Christopher Lee, Roy Castle and Donald Sutherland) their fortune with tarot
cards. Five possible futures unfold: an architect returns to his ancestral home to find a werewolf out for revenge; a huge flesh-eating vine takes over a house; a musician gets involved with
voodoo; an art critic is pursued by a disembodied hand and a doctor discovers his new wife is a
vampire. But they all end in the same result…
Cast: Peter Cushing, Christopher Lee, Donald Sutherland, Roy Castle, Neil McCallum, Alan
Freeman, Peter Madden, Ann Bell, Ursula Howells.
Extras: All new interviews with Kenny Lynch, Ann Bell and Jeremy Kemp (Blu-ray only), House of
Cards Documentary, Gallery of Images (courtesy of Stephen Jones), Original Theatrical Trailer,
Double-Sided Foldout Graham Humphreys Artwork Poster, 12 Sided Film Guide Booklet
Release Date: December 5th 2022
Release Type: Blu-ray
Certificate: PG
Running Time: 98 mins
Price: £19.99
Label: Fabulous Films Ltd /
Fremantle Media Enterprises
Release Date: December 5th 2022
Release Type: DVD
Certificate: PG
Running Time: 94 mins
Price: £14.99
Label: Fabulous Films Ltd /
Fremantle Media Enterprises
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