Horror Movie Review: Mansion of the Doomed (1976)

A grim and grubby low-budget exploitation horror that can be found under many names. Mansion of the Doomed, The Terror of Dr. Chaney, Massacre Mansion, Eyes, Eyes of Dr. Chaney and House of Blood. All offering up some small clues as to what might be experienced here.

Directed by Michael Pataki, written by Frank Ray Perilli, and starring Richard Basehart, Gloria Grahame, Richard Basehart, Trish Stewart and Lance Henriksen.

Doctor Leonard Chaney (Richard Basehart) is obsessed with finding a way to restore the eyesight of those who have been blinded. His success with animals hasn’t been replicated with humans though, and his methods are beginning to draw unwanted attention.

He can’t stop though, because his daughter Nancy (Trish Stewart) was involved in a car crash that left her blind. A car crash that he inadvertently caused. Wracked with guilt, Chaney knows he can succeed in restoring her eyesight, he just needs to find the perfect donor.

The synopsis of Mansion of the Doomed reads like a slapstick, mad-scientist-tale of macabre horror. So, it’s something of a surprise to find that it’s a movie that plays it oddly straight. Take the lead character and actor for example. Doctor Leonard Chaney has all the air of a respected physician who hopes to change the world. Richard Basehart plays this role with a seriousness and solemness that doesn’t quite fit the insane antics that the film suggests he does.

This isn’t just about snatching victims and transplanting their eyes into his daughter’s skull. Chaney doesn’t kill them, instead locking them in a cage together in the filthy basement of his mansion. Where they stumble about, howling in fear and despair. These scenes are quite a contrast to the clean, dry, analytical surgery aspect of the movie.

For its time, one of the most impressive things about Mansion of the Doomed are its effects.

The tone shifts can be jarring but they certainly make Mansion of the Doomed more memorable. Needed, as the time spent with Chaney, as he gets more and more desperate, does drag as the movie goes on.

One of the more interesting aspects that needed more exploration, is how the constant eye surgeries affect Nancy. Especially when one surgery appears to be successful but fails shortly afterwards. We do have some slight touches how it takes its toll physically and emotionally, but more focus on her mental health would have been quite interesting.

Overall though, Mansion of the Doomed is a schlocky slice of 70s exploitation horror that has some notable moments and an overall grim and grubby feel.