Cathardincu
Surprisingly incoherent and boring
SunnyHello
Nice effects though.
Phonearl
Good start, but then it gets ruined
Scott LeBrun
Under-rated veteran character actor John Considine relishes a rare leading role in this thoroughly enjoyable horror film. He plays the title character, who over a very long period of time has perfected the ability to transfer souls from one body to another. He's sought out by lawyer Fred Saunders (Barry Coe), who just can't let go of his recently departed wife Laura (Jo Morrow). A problem arises: Doctor Death can't find a soul willing to reside inside Lauras' body, and unwilling to admit defeat, proves himself eager to commit murder in order to obtain fresh souls.This whole idea of "selective reincarnation" is a cool hook for this movie. It's not anything great, but it is entertaining. This is basically due to the story and to Considines' wonderfully hammy performance. The filmmaking isn't anything special, despite the use of some amusing scene transitions. Considine really is the main reason to watch, although it's also fun to see Leon Askin as Doctor Deaths' mute assistant and Florence Marly as his resentful associate Tana. The ladies are lovely, also including Cheryl Miller as Freds' secretary Sandy and Sivi Aberg as the young soul recipient Venus. There's much ghoulish humour to be found from the concept of Doctor Death trying over and over again, in vain, to fulfill his mission. One delicious sequence has the theatrical Doctor Death relating his entire lengthy back story to the inquisitive Fred. And there is a priceless sequence of one victim watching a late night spook show (featuring TV horror host Larry "Seymour" Vincent as a killer) while being visited by the real life menace of Doctor Death.Appearances by the legendary Moe Howard (as an audience volunteer) and character actor Jim Boles as Franz the caretaker further add to the overall entertainment value. Coe and Stewart Moss, who plays Freds' friend Greg, can't help but come off as dull when you compare them to the magnetic Considine.Worth a look for lovers of 70s horror films.Seven out of 10.
shango7200
If you are like me and grew up in the 1970s watching horror movies and Creature Features on TV you will love this movie! This was "lost" for years, never played on TV and barely got released to theaters. Odd because this was released by Cinerama (Bing Crosby owned this company --and they released other movies like "Willard" ) so it should have been more well known than it was. I won't tread through the plot again, but if this movie had big name stars and a big budget it would play like a classic Hollywood horror movie from the 1940s or 1950s. It's clear that the director loves the horror/thriller genre and it shows. I expected this to be like an average A.I.P. "Count Yorga" movie--but "Doctor Death" is a notch above. The photography, music, lighting, sets, acting and pacing are above your average 1970s pot-boiler. Remember Warren Publications ? They did the Creepy, Eerie and Vampirella magazines in the 1960s and 1970s. This movie looks exactly like one of their magazines made flesh by cinema. I actually cheered and applauded at some of the scenes in this movie and would LOVE to see this in a theater full of horror fans. The DVD has a amusing commentary track by "Doctor Death" himself and a moderator that is a true horror buff --so this guy asks all the right questions about the history and background of the film. Just perfect. "Doctor Death" is not as scary as say "Children Shouldn't Play with Dead Things" , but is wildly colorful and fun!
R Becker
Soap actor John Considine is a bit too pretty and lightweight for the title role, and it's quite surreal to see Moe Howard appear in the first act of the movie, but DOCTOR DEATH is actually an interesting little movie that might have been better. It's very, very much of its time -- not just in terms of the production design but also its treatment of the occult and of horror stories -- but they really try to do a big story on a little budget. And that's nearly always a respectable thing.For me, one of the highlights of the film is the brief (and silent) appearance of Larry "Seymour" Vincent, the premier Los Angeles horror host of the 1970s. He is part of an amusing movie-within-the-movie that actually makes you wish that you could see *that* movie instead of the one you're actually watching (DOCTOR DEATH)!
Judexdot1
everybody remembers this one for Moe Howard's appearance, and his brief cameo is truly a hoot. but, for aging denizens of horror who remember the classic Horror host, "Seymour", his brief appearance is heart wrenching. Unlike other films like "The Incredible 2-headed transplant" where he's just another actor, his brief moment in this film, has him in his "Seymour" character, hosting a horror film on TV! brought a tear to my eye, since I never missed his show, and wish they could dredge some of it up, like they have done with "Ghoulardi" and others. Seymour allegedly ran for President at least twice, and his stickers, buttons and posters, were nearly ubiquitous throughout Southern California, for years. Before Elvira, Commander USA. the Phantom of the Opry, and others, "Seymour" presented old horror classics with a bit of respect. I'm sure I am not alone with my fond memories of this great horror host. Just too bad that his appearance in "Dr. Death", is so brief
