by Cavett Binion
synopsis
In this mundane, droll horror spoof, British comedian Frankie Howerd plays a washed-up actor who tries to cash in on his newly-discovered ties to the outrageously wealthy Henderson family. His efforts are stymied by the greed of stern patriarch Ray Milland, whose equally-avaricious offspring go to great lengths to bump off the hapless hero, abetted by a convenient household nest of venomous snakes. The producers conceived this film as a star vehicle for Howerd, but it didn't exactly propel him to super-stardom. Though competently filmed, this project is hampered by a lazy pace and unimaginative murder setpieces, leaving viewers with a horror-comedy featuring scarcely a scare or a snicker.
characteristics
- Endangerment
- Jeopardy
- Danger
- Risk
- Inheritance
- Multiple-murder
- Kill
- Rags-to-riches
- Survivor
- Survival
- Estate
- Murder
- Heir
- House
- Dead