HorrorHospital

Horror Hospital (1973)

Jason Jones is burnt out with the music business. After a nasty fight with his band over a song that he wrote he decides to get away from it all. So when the opportunity comes up for him to have a weekend in the country at a health spa on the cheap he jumps at the chance. Things are even better when he meets a groovy chick named Judy on the train headed for the same place. Only unlike Jason she is going to meet her long lost aunt who helps run the spa. But the weekend turns out to be nothing like they expected. The spa is run by a mad doctor who has it out for young people and uses radical brain surgery to turn them into mindless minions who will do his bidding. Toss in a midget assistant and a biker gang as enforcers and you have Horror Hospital.

This is a really entertaining movie that is a blast to watch. The plot is completely over the top and crazy, which I think is exactly what they were going for. From the opening scene where the doctor collects his due from a couple escaping patients till the final silly twist at the end this is a cheesy good time. How can you not like a movie that has a limo with a butterfly net to catch severed heads? Now I’m sure that this isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, but I think it is fun. This is the kind of movie that doesn’t take itself seriously and just wants to be a good time. Never boring the movie delivers some laughs. The cast is pretty good and is definitely perfect for the material. The only big name in Horror Hospital is Michael Gough who has appeared in everything from classic Dr. Who episodes to the Batman movies.

The effects in the movie aren’t all that great. In fact the big “creature” at the end is pretty damn silly looking. But then again I don’t think that Horror Hospital was intended to be a gore film. Sure there are a few severed heads, but they are played for laughs. I think of this movie as more of a black comedy than a straight horror movie. So then the effects aren’t a detriment to the movie, but actually add to the goofy atmosphere and fun. As for the rest of the technical bits and pieces the movie is shot well and looks good.

So in the end I have to say Horror Hospital is worth checking out. According to what I’ve been able to dig up it is out of print so if you can get your hands on a copy cheaply do so. I picked my copy up in the British Horror 4 pack with Inseminoid, Tower of Evil and The Curse of the Voodoo. Trust me you won’t be disappointed.

3 out of 4

reviewed by John Shatzer