3. The House That Dripped Blood
In spite of the title, you shouldn't expect much in the way of blood and gore from The House That Dripped Blood. However, with an all star cast headlined by Christopher Lee and Peter Cushing, you might not even notice. What it lacks in blood, it more than makes up for in mood setting music, atmospheric sets, a great cast and a script from the pen of horror great Robert Bloch (Psycho). Another fun Amicus film from the 70s, the framing story involves an Inspector from Scotland Yard investigating the disappearance of an actor who disappeared shortly after renting the titular house. He soon learns that the house has a mysterious past......
Method for Murder Horror writer Charles Hillyer (Denholm Elliot) and his wife Alice have just moved into a new home in an effort to break his writer's block. In a movie featuring an assorted collection of horrors, viewers are asked to suspend belief even further with the description of the pair as a young couple. The gothic atmosphere of the house soon works its magic and he is able to write again. The downside of this newfound inspiration is that it seems as if his latest literary creation has somehow come to murderous life. "Dominic" a murderous strangler begins to appear to him first as a half glimpsed image at his window, then Hillyer sees him strangling Alice! Surviving the attack, Alice claims that it was her husband who strangled her and begs him to get him to get psychiatric help. During his session, the psychiatrist is strangled by Dominic and then turns on Hillyer. Dominic's appearances are unpredictable and as creepy for the viewer as they are for Hillyer. This segment featured a pretty cool plot twist that I won't spoil for you.
Waxworks My least favorite entry in this film, its rather bizarre plot is elevated by the presence of Peter Cushing, who makes a go of creating a level of pathos and adding class to the proceedings. Retiree Phillip Grayson (Peter Cushing) moves in to the house to get away from the rigors of his career and the painful memories of the city. He discovers that the local wax museum features a likeness of his great lost love. His friend Neville (Joss Ackland) visits and it is revealed that the woman Grayson is pining over was the cause of a rift between the two men. Neville insists on seeing the statue and Grayson reluctantly consents. At the wax museum, the proprietor reveals that it is a likeness of his murdered wife and that the statue seems to have a strange hold over any man who gazes upon it. Neville becomes obsessed with the statue, refusing to leave town and visiting the wax museum on a daily basis. Is death the only way to break a love triangle? Robert Bloch is said to have been dissatisfied with director Peter Duffell's treatment of Waxworks as the focus shifted to Cushing's character rather than the villain of the piece as intended in the original script. The most significant addition to the original script is a psychedelic nightmare sequence that enhances this entry into the anthology.
Sweets To The Sweet Ann Norton (Nyree Dawn Porter) has been hired as a governess for the daughter of John Reid played by the incomparable Christopher Lee. She is perplexed as to why Reid is determined to keep her away from other children and won't allow his daughter to play with dolls. Of his late wife, Reid says mysteriously, "I was glad when she died, because by then I had found out what she was..." One evening, Reid is horrified to discover that his angelic daughter has gotten her hands on some wax candles and soon discovers that you can't keep evil cooped up in your house without dire consequences..... 12 year old Chloe Franks while sometimes a bit wooden in her delivery portrays innocence and malevolence with equal aplomb. Christopher Lee shows off his range in a rare non-villainous role.
The Cloak As a Doctor Who fan, it is a thrill to see Jon Pertwee in this film. In a role originally written for Vincent Price, Pertwee plays arrogant and flamboyant horror actor Paul Henderson who rents the house while filming a vampire movie (Curse of The Blood Suckers) nearby. Price was forced to turn down the role due to his restrictive contract with American International. Pertwee has the time of his life hamming it up and with the lovely Ingrid Pitt as his costar, who can blame him for enjoying himself? Henderson is thoroughly disgusted with the state of modern horror movies and is a bit of a diva on set clashing with the director and poking holes in the rickety set. Pertwee even takes time out to take a dig at costar Christopher Lee. "Frankenstein, Phantom of the Opera, Dracula Bela Lugosi of course, not the new fellow." Dissatisfied with his costume, he purchases a black cloak that comes with a few "extras" not mentioned by the shopkeeper. When he puts it on he grows fangs, his reflection disappears and he begins to float towards the ceiling. It is soon revealed that Henderson has a huge following in the vampire community and that they have a special gift in mind for him...... Robert Bloch was said to have enjoyed the shift to a more comedic tone than he originally intended claiming, it improved it "a hundred percent." Unmoved by the tales, the Inspector pays a visit to the house and soon discovers that behind every story, no matter how fantastic, there is always a shred of truth.......