The House That Dripped Blood

Amicus studios made the kind of anthology horror films that I wouldn't mind raising my children on -- frightening, but not grotesque, twists, a bit corny, and a moral lesson of sorts. A famous actor has gone missing in a house that seems to have a history of strange goings on and Scotland Yard in called in on the case. Not that it seems haunted, because the happenings of the previous owners where all due to themselves and not ghosts or anything, but one has to wonder why this house has attracted such a history. The first, and best segment involves Denholm Elliot as a writer of horror stories who begins seeing his latest villainous creation in dark corners and haunting his waking hours. It's the creepiest segment with the kind of twist that is ideal for this type of anthology film. The second, and more disappointing entry, involves a retired Peter Cushing who walks to town one day and discovers an unusual wax museum with a wax figure that strangely resembles a woman he once loved. He also meets the mysterious curator of the museum. Unfortunately, this is little more than a rip off of House of Wax. The third is a strong segment with Christopher Lee as a stern father who hires a woman to be a personal teacher to his seemingly sweet daughter. The woman begins to question his methods of parenting until she discovers that the daughter has inherited some traits from her mother -- a witch. The final segment is about the actor, who has sense gone missing, mostly because in preparation for his latest role (as a vampire), he buys a cloak from a mysterious seller, which happens to be the cloak of a real vampire, thus turning the actor into a vampire. This final segment is a bit too tongue in cheek, and lacks the delicious thrills of the others. Not to say that this is a great film, but it is the kind of film that reminds you why the horror genre can be so much fun.