Last time Kat Hughes joined Rob and Guy, the horror writer and critic had the misfortune of dissecting the Christmas family mess Nativity! This time she’s much more in her wheelhouse as we discuss Bloodbath at the House of Death. A vehicle for Britain’s best loved DJ Kenny Everett to take his brand of spoofing, innuendo and larger than life characters to the big screen after the success on both ITV and BBC with his Video Show/Television Show.
It cannot be underestimated just what a huge cultural phenomenon Kenny Everett was. As one of Britain’s most popular Radio and TV personalities in the early 80s, he could make careers of pop stars and bands and was able to attract some of the biggest names to guest on his TV shows. However, just when it looked like Kenny might hit the big time on the big screen, a controversial incident at the Young Conservatives conference of 1984 was publicity suicide for Bloodbath and it crashed and burned at the box office.
However, as was often the case in the mid-80s, VHS came somewhat to its rescue, and now the film is even on Netflix…but was it any good? Could a supporting cast of such huge BritCom names as Pamela Stephenson, Don Warrington and John Fortune elevate this film beyond Everett’s more disposable TV sketches? Could Vincent Price give it some Hollywood clout and horror credibility? Writer Barry Cryer and writer director Ray Cameron had been working with Everett for years, but the big screen was fairly new to them as well.
We discuss all of the above and more in episode six, so join us as we take a trip to The House of Death.
Kenny Everett Video Show - Best of VHS
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7HeX1CPQf9k
Kenny Everett Television Show
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ecqQBG9q3Ok
Charley Says Always Tell Your Mummy
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oDu7yYHxZr0
The Prodigy - Charly
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cSTBFZ-To2E
Pamela Stephenson - England My Leotard
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SMXIro1P_7g
Pamela Stephenson - Shrink Wrap
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZodTyEoFRZQ
Bloodbath at the House of Death - Trailer
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n6zmvE-uEu0
Bloodbath at the House of Death - Best of Vincent Price
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YyLWS_CjI1M
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