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Horror Cult Classic

Murder stalks a Victorian London wax museum where suspects—and statues—loom in every shadow.

TERROR IN THE WAX MUSEUM

Karkov is here!

1973 · 1h 33m · PG · Horror / Mystery · IMDB TMDB

Terrifying wax figures of renowned personalities, such as Attila the Hun and Jack the Ripper, surround the sale of a London museum.

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Quick Answer

What is Terror in the Wax Museum about?

Terror in the Wax Museum is a 1973 American horror-mystery film directed by Georg Fenady about a series of murders in a 19th-century London wax museum, where intrigue and danger lurk among the lifelike exhibits.

Programmer's Pick

Victorian chills meet psychotronic thrills as a parade of genre legends prowl the waxy corridors. With suspects that range from greedy heirs to possibly animated statues, it’s a murder mystery where even Jack the Ripper might look over his shoulder.

— SassyFlix Programmer

Overview

Set in the atmospheric 1890s, Terror in the Wax Museum transports viewers to the shadowy halls of Claude Dupree’s London wax museum—a place famous for its ghastly figures like Attila the Hun and Jack the Ripper. After Dupree is murdered, his niece Margaret Collins inherits not just the museum, but its dark reputation and a string of mysterious deaths. As the police investigate, suspicion falls on everyone from greedy heirs to the possibility of a murderous wax figure come to life. The film blends classic horror and mystery elements, keeping both the authorities and the audience guessing about whether the killer is human—or something even stranger.

Details & Specs

Director
Georg Fenady
Writers
Andrew J. Fenady, Jameson Brewer
Release
1973
Runtime
1h 33m
Country
United States of America
Language
English
Genres
Horror, Mystery
Also Known As
Terror en el museo de cera, Kauhujen kammio, Il manichino assassino, Terror no Museu das Máscaras de Cera, Terror i vaxkabinettet, Mumyalar Müzesinde Dehset, Der Bucklige vom Horror-Kabinett, Terror im Wachsmuseum

Why This Matters

This film marks the directorial debut of Georg Fenady and features an ensemble cast of notable actors, including Ray Milland, Elsa Lanchester, and John Carradine, set against a Victorian-era London backdrop.
— SassyFlix Curator

Cast & Crew

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Director: Georg Fenady Writers: Andrew J. Fenady +1 more
Ray Milland Ray Milland Harry Flexner Elsa Lanchester Elsa Lanchester Julia Hawthorn Maurice Evans Maurice Evans Inspector Daniels John Carradine John Carradine Claude Dupree Lisa Lu Lisa Lu Madame Yang Broderick Crawford Broderick Crawford Amos Burns ME Mark Edwards Sergeant Michael Hawks Louis Hayward Louis Hayward Tim Fowley Patric Knowles Patric Knowles Mr. Southcott Steven Marlo Steven Marlo Karkov NS Nicole Shelby Margaret Collins Shani Wallis Shani Wallis Laurie Mell Ben Wright Ben Wright First Constable Mathilda Calnan Mathilda Calnan First Charwoman Peggy Stewart Peggy Stewart Second Charwoman LT Leslie Thompson Constable Parker DH Don Herbert Jack the Ripper Wax Figure JW Judy Wetmore Lizzie Borden Wax Figure JW Jo Williamson Mrs. Borden Wax Figure GF George Farina Bluebeard Wax Figure DW Diane Wahrman Girl in Red Wax Figure RH Rosa Huerta Lucretia Borgia Wax Figure BB Ben Brown Attila the Hun Wax Figure RW Rickie Weir Marie Antoinette Wax Figure PW Paul Wilson Ivan the Terrible Wax Figure RC Ralph Cunningham Willie Grossman Wax Figure DW Don Williamson Constable Henry Bolt Wax Figure ER Evelyn Reynolds Flower Woman Wax Figure Sandy Helberg Sandy Helberg Newsboy (Uncredited) Max Wagner Max Wagner Music Hall Drunk (Uncredited)

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Why Cult

Victorian London Setting

The film oozes period atmosphere in its 1890s London wax museum, wrapping the mystery in cobblestone gloom.

Psychotronic Wax Figures

Terrifying wax effigies of infamous figures like Attila the Hun and Jack the Ripper heighten the film’s unsettling mood.

Star-Studded Cast

Genre icons Ray Milland, Elsa Lanchester, and John Carradine bring gravitas—and a touch of camp—to the sinister proceedings.

Who—or What—is the Killer?

Suspects include everyone from greedy relatives to the possibility of a wax statue come to life, keeping the mystery deliciously off-kilter.

Scene Gallery

Threat File

Trigger

Murder of the museum proprietor

Threat

Unknown killer in the wax museum

Effect

Series of guest murders and fear among the principals

Setting

Victorian London wax museum

Questions from the Vault

When was Terror in the Wax Museum released? +

Terror in the Wax Museum was released in 1973.

Who directed Terror in the Wax Museum? +

Georg Fenady directed Terror in the Wax Museum.

How long is Terror in the Wax Museum? +

Terror in the Wax Museum has a runtime of 93 minutes.

What genre is Terror in the Wax Museum? +

Terror in the Wax Museum is a horror-mystery film.

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