Theatre of Blood (1973)
For our second horror film discussion, I have selected the British horror-comedy Theatre of Blood. For years Edward Lionheart only wanted to be recognized for marvelous acting talents. Then, when the Critic's Circle Award is not given to Lionheart, he decides to enact revenge to the critics in the best way he knows how: Shakespearean style.
Vincent Price wittily plays Lionheart. In one of his best screen performances, Price gives it is all. Ironically, Price started as a Shakespearean and always wanted to be recognized as a great stage actor. The young and vivacious Diana Rigg plays his grieving daughter. The two share some emotional emotions.
The best part of the film is watching the critic's meet their grizzly and unique deaths. Ian Hendry appears as the Chairman of the Critics Circle. The director satirically cast the premier talents of the European stage as the critics: Jack Hawkins, Robert Coote, Robert Morley, Coral Browne, Harry Andrews, Arthur Lowe, Dennis Price, and Sir Michael Hordern.
Rounding out the cast include Milo O'Shea and Eric Sykes as bumbling detectives, Joan Hickson, Diana Dors, and Renée Asherson as wives; and Hammer Horror's Madeline Smith as the Critic's Circle secretary.
Sit back and enjoy as Vincent Price hammily kills off the who's who of the London stage.
| by Anonymous | reply 17 | September 23, 2023 6:35 PM
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The director said he didn't have to direct, he just rolled tape and was mesmerized by the talents.
| by Anonymous | reply 1 | September 21, 2023 10:44 PM
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One of my favorite films. It is a movie I put on to cheer me up.
| by Anonymous | reply 2 | September 21, 2023 10:46 PM
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"Hi, I'm Butch."
Love this movie. Wonderful actors and Price's hammy Shakespeare is a hoot.
| by Anonymous | reply 3 | September 21, 2023 11:05 PM
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R3 Yes! And he is flirting with the most average looking security guard.
| by Anonymous | reply 4 | September 21, 2023 11:09 PM
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I love the part where Robert Morley eats his pet poodles a la Titus Andronicus.
| by Anonymous | reply 5 | September 21, 2023 11:11 PM
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Robert Morley was a big ole Queen in this.
| by Anonymous | reply 6 | September 21, 2023 11:17 PM
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Vincent Price& Diana Riggs are hilarious and very droll in this movie. I just watched this 3 weeks ago.
A Great Movie...the whole cast is wonderful.
| by Anonymous | reply 7 | September 22, 2023 12:48 AM
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Vincent Twice. Vincent Twice.
| by Anonymous | reply 8 | September 22, 2023 12:57 AM
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"Where are my doggie-woggies? Daddy's home."
| by Anonymous | reply 9 | September 22, 2023 1:04 AM
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This is my all-time fave guilty pleasure film. Great performances from the stellar supporting cast, although I feel Diana Rigg was wasted here. And Price, at his hammy best, was most enjoyable. He finally got a part that was admirably suited to his talent.
I'm hopeful for a sequel that will include some of Shakespeare's other, and perhaps lesser known, plays as plot points.
AND, we got to see Joan Hickson as NOT Miss Marple, a rare sighting for me(she is my fave Miss Marple though)
| by Anonymous | reply 10 | September 22, 2023 1:14 AM
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I love "Theatre of Blood," which is a less haughtily styled take on Price's career phase - the character of Revenge, Demento Style.More satisfying than Phibes' mannerist version. Great cast all around.
But the thread is another reddit imitator playing hostess. A little desperate, or G*egish, AKA pukeworthy cynicism.
| by Anonymous | reply 11 | September 22, 2023 1:25 AM
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The great Jack Hawkins was losing his voice during filming. That is why he has very little lines.
| by Anonymous | reply 12 | September 22, 2023 3:03 AM
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r11, Phibes was my first movie in a theatre (yes I"m old), double billed with ,"Diary of a Mad Housewife". Kid me thought, "Why would somebody see a movie about that?" I only remembered the ending of the movie, and when I saw it as an adult, man it was CRAZY.
I would love to see a biopic about him, but I think the only person who could really play him would be Bill Hader, even though he looks nothing like him. Maybe an unknown.
| by Anonymous | reply 13 | September 22, 2023 5:24 PM
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^^^^ Well, Hader has got a foot in the door, he played him in a skit on "Saturday Night Live." 🧛♂️
| by Anonymous | reply 14 | September 22, 2023 10:11 PM
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[quote]Phibes was my first movie in a theatre (yes I"m old), double billed with ,"Diary of a Mad Housewife".
That's some double bill.
| by Anonymous | reply 16 | September 23, 2023 6:27 PM
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I always liked the opening with Sir Michael Hordern where he is running around the abandoned warehouse in the rain fighting the homeless killers with an umbrella.
| by Anonymous | reply 17 | September 23, 2023 6:35 PM
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