A wealthy lord dies and is entombed with a valuable deposit of jewels. Seven keys are required to unlock the tomb and get hold of the treasure. A mad doctor uses an iron maiden to systematically eliminate the heirs to the fortune.
Practical Effects
That iron maiden looks genuinely uncomfortable.
Acting
Leslie Banks plays unhinged with theatrical glee.
Production
Gothic sets on a budget that somehow works.
Director
Norman Lee
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Leslie Banks had facial paralysis from WWI, which he weaponized for villain roles—his real asymmetry makes Dr. Manetta's fake disability extra meta.
This was one of several 1940s British horror films capitalizing on Edgar Wallace's brand; the iron maiden became a recurring Wallace trope after this.
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