Bloodbath at the House of Death

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.

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!

This is a comedy in the tradition of Airport (Flying High) and Police Squad (or The Naked Gun), where a group of scientists are gathered to investigate the goings on at a haunted house in the country woods of Britain. Kenny Everett is the star of this film, pulling from characters developed from his various video shows to create his main character, with a good backup of other actors making up the rest of the group. The slapstick comedy (played seriously) comes frequently right from the start of the film but then tends to fall a little flat in the second half, but is still very enjoyable if you're a fan of Everett. Vincent Price's name might be a surprise for such a film, but he plays his role with the usual strength he carries. Pamela Stephenson has a memorable scene which re-energises the film, while subtle humour in other scenes carry it to the end. Check it out if you enjoy British humour.

Play "spot-the-movie" in this comedy which features allusions to Carrie, Close Encounters, The Invisible man, Jaws, Rocky Horror Picture Show and many more. Sing the inventory of killings at the "House of Death" to "The 12 Days of Christmas". Don't expect a great plot or serious social commentary because this spoof isn't that kind of film. If you just want to veg out and relax you can try to guess who will die next -- and how.

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.