ASYLUM, which began filming Apr 1 1972, was the fifth of seven Amicus anthology features, the third (and last) to be scripted by Robert Bloch, who again came up with an ingenious framework story to bind the film into an effective whole. The recently graduated Dr. Martin (Robert Powell) applies for a position as assistant to Dr. Starr at the Dunsmoor Asylum, and meets his associate Dr. Lionel Rutherford (Patrick Magee), who informs him that Starr has suffered a nervous breakdown and is now confined as a patient. Rutherford still offers Martin the job, provided that he interview four of the most deranged subjects, and can correctly identify which of them is Dr. Starr, who has sufficiently recovered but now taken on a different personality. The first, Frozen Fear, is a memorable tale told by Bonnie (Barbara Parkins, THE MEPHISTO WALTZ), in which she convinces her avaricious lover (Richard Todd) to murder his rich wife (Sylvia Sims), unaware of the protective powers she possesses in an unusual amulet, her body chopped into neatly wrapped pieces that refuse to stay dead; The Weird Tailor features Barry Morse as Bruno, an impoverished tailor who is about to be evicted for non payment of the rent, his unlikely savior appearing at the door of his shop, a mysterious Mr. Smith (Peter Cushing), supplying his own material for a suit intended as a gift for his beloved son. Smith implores Bruno to follow his instructions to the letter, the work to be done only at specific times after midnight, to be delivered immediately upon completion. What Bruno does not know is that the seemingly wealthy Smith has poured his considerable fortune into acquiring a rare occult volume, the only one of its kind, containing a spell to revive the dead, because his deceased son can only be revived once he wears the suit; Lucy Comes to Stay is told by Barbara (Charlotte Rampling), insisting that the murders she is being blamed for were actually committed by her friend Lucy (Britt Ekland), who only seems to appear after Barbara swallows her medication; Mannikins of Horror admirably brings everything full circle, as Dr. Byron (Herbert Lom) shares his incredible story of creating miniature mechanical replicas of people, particularly himself, exacting a terrible revenge on those who refuse to believe, especially Dr. Rutherford, who wants to take Byrons dangerous toys away. Dr. Martin turns out to be far more the novice than he at first appeared, a mistake that proves fatal in more ways than one. The alphabetical cast listing happily grants Peter Cushing top billing for his brief role, shot in two days (Apr 6-7), opposite old friend Barry Morse (SPACE: 1999), a story first adapted for the Boris Karloff teleseries THRILLER in 1961, with Henry Jones as the tailor, George Macready the grieving father. This condensed version succeeds in making both characters more sympathetic, another instance where Cushings character has suffered the loss of a loved one, his unorthodox methods questionable, but the devoted sentiments understandable. He would miss out on the next Amicus anthology, the weak THE VAULT OF HORROR, but next teams again with Christopher Lee for NOTHING BUT THE NIGHT.
Posted on: Sat, 19 Jul 2014 07:34:23 +0000
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