Theatre of Blood (1973)

Bisexual horror icon Vincent Price stars in the 1973 British horror-comedy THEATRE OF BLOOD, which features queer disguises, drag, and a gay theatre critic who worships his poodles.

THEATRE OF BLOOD

1973. UK.

 Director: Douglas Hickox

Screenplay: Anthony Greville-Bell

 Starring: Vincent Price, Diana Rigg, Ian Hendry, Harry Andrews, Robert Coote, Michael Hordern, Robert Morley, Coral Browne, Jack Hawkins, Arthur Lowe, Diana Dors, and Dennis Price.

The film follows Edward Lionheart (Price) as he seeks vengeance on a group of theatre critics who denied him a prestigious acting award. He takes on numerous disguises and picks them off one by one according to deaths in Shakespearean plays.

In the attached scene Lionheart takes on the guise of a gay hairdresser named Butch, with the help of one of his followers (Diana Rigg in drag), and lures in one of the critics (played by Coral Browne) into a trap.

A notable fact about this scene is that actress Coral Browne and Vincent Price met for the first time on the set of this film and would shortly after be married. Interestingly, both Browne and Price were bisexual according to Price’s daughter, Victoria Price, who identifies as queer herself.

Later in the film, in one of his final and most memorable attacks, Lionheart targets a gay theatre critic (Robert Morley) and his beloved poodles. With the film being made in the 1970s you can probably guess how it ends for the only out queer character, but its just so camp you can’t help but appreciate it a little.

 Despite a few of the usual queer clichés and tropes, THEATRE OF BLOOD is a fun and campy ride.

You can find THEATRE OF BLOOD streaming on Tubi (Canada/USA/Australia/Mexico), Plex, Fubo and PlutoTV (USA), Prime (UK) – it’s also available on DVD/Blu-ray and for rent/purchase through AppleTV and Amazon.