❉ A fascinating and fast paced example of portmanteau filmmaking with a deadly twist in the tale….
Dr. Terror (Peter Cushing) is a mysterious fortune teller who boards a train to tell fellow passengers (Christopher Lee, Roy Castle, Alan Freeman 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…DEATH!
A fascinating and fast paced example of portmanteau filmmaking with a deadly twist in the tale, Fabulous Films Ltd present Dr Terror’s House of Horrors on Blu-ray and DVD from Monday 5th December. Special features include all-new interviews with Kenny Lynch, Ann Bell and Jeremy Kemp (Blu-ray only) and the release boasts cover art designed by legendary illustrator Graham Humphreys, also featured within the package as a double-sided fold-out poster.
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, Donald Sutherland, Neil McCallum, Ursula Howells, Alan Freeman, Michael Gough and Kenny Lynch. Freddie Francis directed Peter Cushing eight 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”.
Dr Terror’s House of Horrors was Amicus Productions’ first of sixteen horror films made between 1965 and 1977, seven of which were portmanteau films. The portmanteau style of film helped Amicus (who’s small budget meant filming was done in two 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.
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. CBS Records released Dr. Terror’s House Of Horrors/Voodoo Girl as a single in 1965 which is now highly sought after.
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.
❉ ‘Dr. Terror’s House Of Horrors’ is available from 5 December 2022 via Fabulous Films Ltd. Cert: PG. RRP £19.99 (Blu-ray) / £14.99 (DVD). Pre-order Blu-ray / Pre-order DVD
❉ News source: Fabulous Films Ltd/Fremantle Media Enterprises.
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