BoardChiri Bad Acting and worse Bad Screenplay

Rio Hayward All of these films share one commonality, that being a kind of emotional center that humanizes a cast of monsters.

Rexanne It’s sentimental, ridiculously long and only occasionally funny

Bob This is one of the best movies I’ve seen in a very long time. You have to go and see this on the big screen.

adriangr I've finally seen this movie again after years of just having a faint memory of it, so I've now got to decide if it lived up to my memory...well it pretty much does. The story concerns Stella Stevens as Ellen, a young woman who's impending marriage is interrupted by news that her younger brother and sister are being released from an asylum where they were committed after the murder of both their parents. Now considered sane, they are handed over into Ellen's custody, despite her misgivings, and the three of them move into the home of Ellen's fiancée's mother in law, played by Shelley Winters, which in turn gives HER major misgivings. And this being a horror film, it isn't long before there's a new murder...So what still works is the general sense of unease, mostly generated by great performances by the two younger children, played by Michael Burns and Barbara Sammeth. They portray just the right amount of inscrutability, and keep you guessing as to their actual mental stability! Stella Stevens plays Ellen with lots of wide eyed exasperation which suits the role well, and Shelley Winters does her usual job of playing an alcoholic floozy as the landlady/mother-in-law. The overall tone of the story is well handled, and the climax still works. Gore is low but a couple of bloody scenes still stand out, and the best part is still what happens when a dopey dog sniffs out a dead body - great fun. All in all it's a great compact little thriller with some very good performances...check out the ladies charity party when one of the visitors gets a little too drunk - great cameo here by Beverley Garland - which ends in unexpected tragedy that none of the main characters saw coming! I'd love to see this get an official DVD release, but it seems unlikely, and it's hardly ever shown on TV any more either...what a waste, as this film could be entertaining dozens of new fans or just nostalgia buffs who fancy a bit of twitchy suburban horror from 1969

Hoohawnaynay Stella Stevens (always great) works for loony bitch Shelly WInters in a huge estate. What Shelly doesn't know is that Stellas siblings are coming to stay and they are just released from a nut house after killing their parents years before. Once they get there weird things start happening. I won't give away the plot, there are some twists. Stella gives an understated performance here, Shelly is over the top as always. Beverly Garland has a memorable cameo here, appearing drunk at a party (she was pregnant in real life) and utters one of the greatest one liners in movie history (I am married to a male whore)! She then creates a bloody mess in the bathroom by slashing her wrists. After talking to Stella a few years ago I found out this movie had director/producer problems and could have been much better. I think it is great the way it is but I see where some of the directing and editing could have been improved upon. I wish they would release this on DVD as Stella never looked more beautiful and Shelly is always fun to watch.

Lovetvshows From the opening credits this film gives off a creepy feeling. You are never quite sure which character is trustworthy. Stella Stevens gives the right amount of instability in her performance of a woman who is unsure of her future. The younger siblings, played by Michael Burns and Barbara Sammeth, are equally as creepy. This is a must have film for people who like suspenseful movies with minimal gore. As another reviewer noted I am surprised that this movie has not been released on DVD. It would be interesting to have a commentary by Stella Stevens. PS: The writers of To Die For with Nicole Kidman must have been fans of this film, since the opening credits are similar to The Mad Room's credits.

verna55 The beautiful and sexy Stella Stevens has always been regarded as a gifted comedy actress, and with good reason. But occasionally, Stevens has turned in a credible and strong dramatic performance. THE MAD ROOM exploits this serious side of Stevens best. A remake of the 1941 Ida Lupino vehicle LADIES IN RETIREMENT, this film features Stevens as a young housekeeper who has been hiding a dark and disturbing secret from her wealthy employer(the great Shelley Winters). The secret is that Stevens has a younger brother and sister who have been committed to an asylum for brutally murdering their mother and father years before. However, it seems that the skeletons that Stevens has worked so hard to keep hidden, may at last tumble out of her closet. The doctor that has been treating Stevens' siblings insists that they are cured and should be released. Needless to say, this will interfere with Stevens' plans to wed her employer's handsome stepson. A fine tale of suspense, THE MAD ROOM features several bizarre twists and shocking scenes, and terrific performances by the all-star cast. Stevens is magnificent as the tormented housekeeper, Winters is superb as her bitchy employer, and Michael Burns and Barbara Sammeth are appropriately menacing as Stevens' disturbed siblings.