Theater of Blood (1973)

A Shakespearean actor takes poetic revenge on the critics who denied him recognition.

Director:

Douglas Hickox

Writers:

Anthony Greville-Bell (screenplay), Stanley Mann (idea)

Stars:

Vincent Price, Diana Rigg, Ian Hendry

2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Vincent Price	...	Edward Lionheart
Diana Rigg	...	Edwina Lionheart
Ian Hendry	...	Peregrine Devlin
Harry Andrews	...	Trevor Dickman
Coral Browne	...	Chloe Moon
Robert Coote	...	Oliver Larding
Jack Hawkins	...	Solomon Psaltery
Michael Hordern	...	George Maxwell
Arthur Lowe	...	Horace Sprout
Robert Morley	...	Meredith Merridew
Dennis Price	...	Hector Snipe
Milo O'Shea	...	Inspector Boot
Eric Sykes	...	Sergeant Dogge
Madeline Smith	...	Rosemary
Diana Dors	...	Maisie Psaltery

Storyline

Vincent Price plays Edward Kendal Sheridan Lionheart, a matinèe favorite Shakespearean actor of the old school, finding difficulty coping with new theater roles, who wreaks revenge on on the theater critics who give their annual Guild's "Best Actor" award to a new and upcoming actor rather than him. Incensed by their choice, he does this in the most ingenious and disturbing ways by imitating death scenes taken from his final repertoire of his beloved Bard's tales. Vincent Price is well supported by Dame Diana Rigg, as his dutiful daughter Edwina, and a bevy of the cream of British character actors, including; Ian Hendry, Sir Michael Hordern, Dennis Price, Robert Morley, and Arthur Lowe.

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Plot Keywords:

critic | actor | revenge | police | theater critic | 

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Taglines:

Vincent Price has reserved a seat for you in the "theatre of blood."

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Horror

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Certificate:

R

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

5 April 1973 (USA)

Also Known As:

Theatre of Blood

Filming Locations:

Oakley Court, Windsor Road, Oakley Green, Windsor, Berkshire, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

Harbour Productions Limited, Cineman Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

104 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White (title sequence) Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Edward Lionheart's (Vincent Price's) theater hideout was the Putney Hippodrome, built in 1906. It had been boarded up for fourteen years when it was chosen as a location for this movie. The filmmakers rented it for one hundred twenty-seven dollars a week and set parts of it on fire for this movie's finale. The building was demolished in 1975 and housing was erected on the site.

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Goofs

When the decapitated head of Horace Sprout is discovered by the maid on his bed the eyes are closed. After it falls on the floor the eyes are open.

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Quotes

[first lines]
George Maxwell: That damn editor's cut the best part of my review!
Mrs. Maxwell: So I noticed, dear. You ought to have a chat with him.
George Maxwell: My most provocative comment, too, where I said the leading lady attacked her role with both hands and strangled it to death.

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Alternate Versions

Despite the films spoofy nature the original UK cinema version was cut by the BBFC and some of the close-up shots from the murders of Merridew and Miss Moon were slightly trimmed. All later video and DVD releases were fully uncut.

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Connections

References The Abominable Dr. Phibes (1971)

User Reviews

British at it's best

This film is frightening, funny,stomach churning, and Vincent Price at his menacing best if you get a chance do watch it with actors like Robert Morley,Jack Hawkings,Diana Dors, Arthur Lowe, Diana Rigg and the way he plots his revenge for there critics of his acting which distroyed his career the Robert Morley one especially I will never forget that scene if I knew this film was on DVD I would love to have it but it's one of those classics that won't be on TV much now unless they have a Vincent Price season or something,I remember sitting there with my family and tucking into a box of chocolates after the Robert Morley killing least to say we got turned of them but we we fall about laughing about it now