The Horror Show (1989)
Also known as "Horror House, House 3, House III: The Horror Show, House III"
They tried to electrocute "Meat Cleaver" Max. It didn't work.
Starring: Lance Henriksen, Brion James, Rita Taggart, Dedee Pfeiffer, Aron Eisenberg, Thom Brey, Matt Clark, David Oliver, Lewis Arquette, Terry Alexander, Armand Asselin, Robert V. Barron, Bobby Collins, Meshell Dillon, Greg Finley, Stephen A. Henry
Director: James Isaac
Running Time: 91 minutes
US MPAA rating: RUK BBFC rating: 18
Comedy, Horror
On DVD Detective Lucas McCarthy (Lance
DVD Extras: Scene selection; choice of Dolby stereo 2.0/Dolby surround 5.1/dts; optional English subtitles for the hard of hearing; comprehensive bio of Lance Henriksen; film notes; Anchor Bay trailer showreel ('The Manson Family', 'Bubba Ho-tep', 'The Toolbox Murders', 'Undead').
Now available from Anchor Bay as a boxset with the other three 'House' films.
It's Got: Dedee Pfeiffer (sister of Michelle) as Lucas' daughter Bonnie, and Lewis Arquette (father of Rosanna, Patricia and David) as Lucas' chief; Brion James overacting to an extreme as mad Max; some really clunky exposition ("for quite some time now, I have believed that the same electromagnetic energy that released Jenke can be used to bring him back"); lots of material to appeal to anyone nostalgic for the late eighties (background posters for INXS and Guns n' Roses, a stand-up comedian telling jokes about George Bush - Sr.!); and a talking turkey that is the perfect metaphor for the film. h
It Needs: Better dialogue, sharper jokes, less padding, and fewer of those repetitive scenes in which characters head down to the basement and find that the lights are playing up.
Alternatives: 'Shocker', 'A Nightmare on Elm Street', House, House II, House IV
Summary: Do script doctors make house calls?
Review Date: 31st August 2004
External Links
The Horror Show at the IMDB
