Bloodbath at the House of Death

"Bloodbath at the House of Death" – every horror fan will undeniably fall in love with the title alone already – is a slapstick horror comedy/spoof starring the BBC radio presenter Kenny Everett and the legendary horror acting legend Vincent Price. Now, I'm not really familiar with the works of Kenny Everett, but I am a self-proclaimed expert when it comes to Vincent and the name of his character here pretty much summarizes his entire rich and highly respectable career. He is the "Sinister Man" and appears in the film, albeit less extendedly as I hoped, as some sort of deranged cult leader. The rest of the story is relatively simple: a random group of international scientists and paranormal investigators gather together at Headstone Manor, also known as the House of Death, to research the truth behind the legend of allegedly 18 people being slain at the place. "Bloodbath at the House of Death" is far from brilliant, sometimes hardly even funny, but I would definitely say this is an underrated attempt that understandably got overlooked in the massive horror/comedy offer of the early 80's. The script, co-written by director Ray Cameron, makes fun of great and obvious classics such as "Alien", "E.T.", "Poltergeist", Carrie" and "The Shining", but also holds more subtle jokes and references in store to reward the attentive horror freaks. Something I couldn't help noticing, though, is that quite a few jokes in the more recent "Scary Movie 2" were directly lifted from this film. Okay, admittedly, both film were basically influenced by the same haunted house classics (like "The Legend of Hell House", "The Entity" and "House on Haunted Hill") but still it's quite suspicious that the Wayans Brothers supposedly thought up the exact same jokes, like for example the ghost rape turning into a kinky sex game. Other than the movie-related jokes and situations, there certainly also isn't a shortage of textbook slapstick stuff like a blind character constantly running into trees and a crippled guy repeatedly falling flat on his face. It may not be politically correct, but it sure as hell is funny. Perhaps the main reason why I – and surely many genre fanatics with me – appreciate the film so much is the gore. In spite of the comical and non-horror friendly atmosphere, there are quite a few gross killings on display. The devilish house always repeats the same macabre methods of elimination, namely stabbing, hanging, struck by lightening, drowning, slit throats, etc. Some of the illustrations of murder here are a lot nastier than the case in many contemporary slasher flicks.

Bloodbath at the House of Death is a strange beast, it has the feel of a Dario Argento Film in places with the P.O.V kills and the tripped out camera work! Others it's a bawdy seaside postcode with the kind of sight gag that made Kenny Everett a household name.

As such it sits between two stools occupying a strange place in terms of Genre cinema, is it a comedy, a horror or a thriller. To be honest I doubt the cast crew or writers new at the time either!

Vincent Price for the love of all that is holy what are you doing in this??? It's a far cry from Dr Phibes and theatre of Blood! Did it amuse me, yeah! Did it scare me, only the special effects. The kills are good the ending feels akin to trapping your head in a door repeatedly but overall an interesting diversion. Not without merit but it is hugely silly!

Not from Hellraiser, but from many other movies from the 80s or before (this movie was made). ET and the Alien scene being the most prominent one I'd reckon. But there are other references and jokes/spoofs/stabs this takes on things you know. I mean it even uses a lightsaber at one point ... I wonder how much that would cost to have in your movie nowadays ... but back to this.

And just to be clear if you haven't figured it out yet: it mixes comedy and horror. I have friends who think that is a combination that is an absolute no go. They don't like it, if you feel the same way - well better not watch this. It's quite the curiosity though. Having Vincent Price in it, who I can only imagine had quite the fun time with this. Many jokes are silly, but if you roll with them, you can still enjoy them.

There is still enough blood and violence ... not enough to warrant the title mind you, but I would assume they used that in a funny self deprecating way! A weird little movie with surely a weird (in a good way) fan base for it.

Edit: I re-watched this the other day ... and have to admit, I really more than enjoyed the re-watch ... I had forgotten many things ... and this was really funny ... especially the first half ... there is the cringe Poltergeist/invisible man scene I reckon ... might not play in the best way ... but enjoy this for what it is if possible ... silliness galore! With a Price - no pun intended ... he always lends gravitas.

Kenny Everett was a zany comic who started out as a DJ in the 1960s before fronting a prime time TV comedy show in the 1980s. This 1984 film is his only attempt at a big screen offering. Kenny died of AIDS-related illness in 1995, aged 50.

The film is a Hammer horror spoof, though many other films and genres are spoofed along the way. It is written by Barry Cryer, who appears in the title sequence. Eight scientists (including Kenny and, more plausibly, Dr Pamela Stephenson) investigate an old house where, 18 years earlier, 18 people were killed there in one night. The others are played by John Fortune, Sheila Steafel, Don (Rising Damp) Warrington, Gareth (coffee ads) Hunt, Cleo Rocos and John Stephen Hill. All were well known 80s British personalities but not entirely convincing as scientists!

The best known actor here is Vincent Price, though he only appears in a few scenes, as the 'sinister man'. Pat Ashton's appearance as the murdered barmaid marked her last appearance in a run of 20 years of British comedy shows before she disappeared, which is a shame as she was always good fun. It pretty much also marked the end of John Stephen Hill's acting career though he is better mapped as he went on to immerse himself in his Jesuit faith.

The film is a bit hit and miss, like Everett's TV shows - lots of scenes that don't really work, interspersed with occasional moments of genius. It is the only opportunity to see Everett on the big screen, and it represents a peak of sorts in early 80s British comedy. I don't want to judge it too harshly.

This movie is a classic - it must be, I have been living in Russia and seen 2 copies for sale (legal of course) on DVD (converted from VHS). I still laugh just thinking about it!!! It is so corny but clever. I VAS ZE VORLDS GREATEST!!!! The music to jaws on the bass and the toilet / Hall scene. Making love with a ghost .. . then "I guess I will never see you again" The scene in the pub. The two gay men in the car.. . The song. . . . . Its just great. the thing I notice the most is there is no swearing!!! its just clever This movie is one you can watch many times and as you see it more often, you start to pick up more and more subtle things.