Murders in the Rue Morgue (1971 film)

Did You Know?

• Brooke Adams made her film debut in a bit part as a nurse.
• The film was released on DVD as a double feature with Cry of the Banshee on April 15, 2003.
• The 2026 Hammer 4K Blu-ray re-release includes restored versions of both the original director's cut and the AIP theatrical version.

Plot

In early-20th century Paris, a theatre troupe specializing in Grand Guignol horror plays is directed by Cesar Charron. His wife Madeline, haunted by nightmares of an axe-wielding man, sees her mother's murderer return. Rene Marot, a former lover of Madeline's mother thought dead after disfigurement, begins killing troupe members, confounding the police.

Production

Gordon Hessler was hired to direct. He felt the story was too familiar and, with writer Christopher Wicking, reworked it as a play-within-a-play involving a theatre staging Poe's story, borrowing elements from The Phantom of the Opera. Hessler said Vincent Price was upset not to be in the film, but Hessler had no involvement in that decision; Price was reportedly in contractual disputes with AIP. Jason Robards was cast because of his name and reputation, and because many actors want to play a horror role. Principal photography began in October 1970. Filming took place in Toledo and Madrid, Spain, as a cost-cutting measure; theatre scenes were shot at Teatro Rojas, and the Charron estate at the Palace of the Dukes of Osuna. Hessler noted it was easier to film in Spain than London without building sets. Robards was fine to work with but told Hessler two weeks in that he had the wrong part and wanted the other role; Hessler would have obliged but it was too late. Hessler said James H. Nicholson liked the film when he saw it in Spain, and Hessler felt it was one of his best. However, the film was drastically edited in the United States; Hessler was appalled by the theatrical version and wrote a five-page letter to Samuel Arkoff, but the film was already in release.

Reception

Murders in the Rue Morgue received mixed-to-negative reviews. Leonard Maltin gave it 1 1/2 out of 4 stars. Howard Thompson of The New York Times praised the direction, costume design, color, and performances, though he found the ending predictable. Donald Guarisco of Allmovie criticized the pacing, convoluted plot, performances, and lack of tension. Jason Robards later called the film "a disaster... but I got a good price and part of the picture."