Amicus
Amicus Productions was, funnily enough, founded by two American producers, Milton Subotsky and Max Rosenberg, most notable for the excellent British chiller, The City of the Dead. Amicus is sometimes mistaken for Hammer Film Productions, but they’re best known for portmanteau horror movies in the style of Ealing’s Dead of Night, along with some gimmicky thrillers, and a few sci-fi and fantasy movies. And just like Hammer, expect distinguished British horror icons like Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee in the cast.
Links take you to the IMDd. Circled titles: A Point Blank Films fav!
And Now the Screaming Starts! (1973) 7/10
Unusually dark for Amicus, this first-rate gothic chiller – with Peter Cushing in a small role – spins a sexually charged tale of a family curse, with a severed hand adding a macabre dash of mischief. aka Bride of Fengriffen; Fengriffen
Asylum (1972) 7/10
Robert Bloch adapts his own work for this strong Amicus compendium which overcomes its drab setting with inventive wraparound and three out of four good stories. See also Horror Compendiums
The Beast Must Die (1974) 5/10
A cross between And Then There Were None and The Most Dangerous Game, with black leading man, Peter Cushing and a ‘werewolf break’ gimmick – but there’s no suspense in this lacklustre effort.
Not well remembered, and certainly the team of Robert Bloch and Freddie Francis could have done better, but a fairly entertaining beesploitation movie, nonetheless.
Dr. Terror’s House of Horrors (1965) 6/10
Peter Cushing plays a mysterious fortune teller in the first Amicus compendium; unfortunately, most of the stories are sub-par, but the excellent cast keeps it afloat. See also Horror Compendiums
From Beyond the Grave (1974) 7/10
The last Amicus compendium features Peter Cushing in an antique shop leading the wraparound story; the four stories are mostly fun, providing a fitting end to the series. See also Horror Compendiums
The House That Dripped Blood (1971) 8/10
One of the best Amicus compendiums, with plenty of ghoulish fun, great performances, and at least two of the best stories of the series. See also Horror Compendiums
Freddie Francis-directed Hitchcockian thriller about men found murdered with tiny dolls next to their corpses; decent, with great set pieces.
Scream and Scream Again (1970) 4/10
Three plot lines fail to coalesce in messy horror that wastes its elderly stars.
The Skull (1965) 7/10
Lively Robert Bloch-penned Amicus outing with Peter Cushing coming into possession of the skull of the Marquis de Sade – many wire effects ensue!
Tales from the Crypt (1972) 8/10
Amicus got the rights to EC Comics, resulting in their best horror compendium, with some of the most gruesome stories in the series, along with an affecting performance by Peter Cushing. See also Horror Compendiums
Burgess Meredith plays Dr. Diabolo and leads this Amicus compendium with relish, but the stories (despite being penned by Robert Bloch) are among the weakest of the series. See also Horror Compendiums
The Vault of Horror (1973) 7/10
More EC Comics adaptations by Amicus, this compendium is fairly flat and unattractive and mostly played for laughs (which at least makes it fun). See also Horror Compendiums