The title, "Chamber of Horrors" is a bit misleading as it is more of a mystery than a horror film. It does have a bargain basement chamber of horrors with an Iron Maiden but is incidental to the plot. However, since there IS an Iron Maiden, you have to believe that someone is bound to be caught within its clutches at some point.The film opens with Lord Selford (Aubrey Mallenlieu) on his deathbed describing his final wishes. He is to be entombed with the family jewels ad enclosed in a crypt sealed by a door with seven locks. His son is to inherit the estate. A distant cousin, June Lansdowne (Lili Palmer) will inherit the estate should evil befall the young Lord. Lawyer Edward Havelock (David Horne), the executor, is appointed keeper of the seven keys. Interested parties are Dr. Manetto (Leslie Banks) and servants Bevan and Ann Cody (Harry Hutchinson, Kathleen Nesbitt), the chauffeur Cawler (Philip Ray), Silva (J.H. Roberts) and the butler Craig (a sinister looking Robert Montgomery)(not THAT Robert Montgomery).Silva, dying in a nursing home, sends a letter to June containing one of the keys and asking her to come and see him a.s.a.p. During their meeting, Silva is murdered by an unseen assailant. June goes to Scotland Yard for help. Recently resigned detective Dick Martin (Romilly Lunge) and Inspector Sneed (Richard Bird) take an interest. On returning to the nursing home they find that there is no trace of Silva's body or the "nurse" Ann Cody.The scene then shifts to an old dark house in the country where Dr. Manetto has taken up residence. We know right away that he is up to no good. Martin and June visit Havelock with June's key only to find out that all seven keys in the lawyer's care have disappeared. Then Martin decides to investigate further. Dr. Manetto is revealed to be the leader of the group but with his own agenda. It turns out that behind the door with seven locks there may be secrets other than the priceless jewels. The door is opened and...............................Lili Palmer was at the outset of a very long and prosperous. Kathleen Nesbitt too, went on to many years of success. Leslie Banks is probably best remembered for his role in "The Most Dangerous Game" (1932). He also appeared in some Alfred Hitchcock films in the 30s as well. Gina Milo is along for comedy relief as Glenda, June's room mate.The story is based on an Edgar Wallace novel entitled "The Door with Seven Keys". It is never explains why there are seven keys since they were left in the keeping of one person. And. how did Silva know where to find June? Anyway, Edgar Wallace is given the producer's credit even though he had been dead since 1932.

Chamber of Horrors is an entertaining British horror/mystery from 1940. I have the VCI edition of this on video which I had ordered from the US.A series of murders at a creepy mansion are connected to the secret of a door which has seven keys to it and nobody has opened for a while. A young woman tries to solve this mystery and all is revealed towards the end when the door is opened... Includes a mute butler and a mad doctor who collects items used for torture. Also a thunderstorm.Though not a lot of action in this movie, it is quite creepy and atmospheric at times.The cast includes Leslie Banks (The Most Dangerous Game, The Tunnel) and Lilli Palmer.Chamber of Horrors is worth a look if you get the chance. A good old mystery.Rating: 3 stars out of 5.

Ignore the way this old clunker is marketed on DVD and disregard the American title, "Chamber of Horrors." There's nothing supernatural here and there are no Poe-like thrills. The "horrors" are a collection of old torture devices owned by the main villain, and they don't get much play. The English title gives you a better sense of the movie. You see, there's a door with seven locks which requires seven different keys. An heiress possesses the seventh key, and several unsavory characters will stop at nothing to get it from her.The trappings of this mystery "thriller" are familiar nowadays mainly from comedies, parodies and cartoons. I especially liked that portrait with the real eyes peering out. I've seen that countless times on "Scooby Doo." Then there's the spooky tomb, secret panels in the wall, sinister servants and so on. Leslie Banks (probably best known for the original "The Man Who Knew Too Much") plays a flamboyant villain, sophisticated yet evil, complete with goatee, cape, a foreign accent of some kind and a pet monkey. This is one of the rare times I've seen this stuff played straight – more or less.Fortunately, this movie is no more self-serious than "The Lady Vanishes." But don't expect any Hitchcockian suspense here. We have an excellent cast, headed by the beautiful Lilli Palmer and the amusing Banks. Lots of droll dialogue. ("I love frolicking in morgues.") Lots of the aforementioned mystery trappings. But no suspense. The writers haven't the slightest idea how to grab our interest, much less keep it. The director betrays absolutely no flair for this kind of thing. It's all a leaden bore. Go watch "Scooby Doo."

This classic Edgar Wallace Murder Mystery/Conspiracy film is surprising fun. Leslie Banks, as the clever, devious, torture device collecting Dr. Mannetta (the owner of the chamber of horrors), frequently steals the scenes he's in even if his character is some what a cliche. The very lovely Lilli Palmer as Judy Lansdowne here plays the lady in distress. A woman in need of help and rescue as many others plot against her and try and steal her key to the "door with the seven locks", the seven keys to which when combined will open Lord Selford's tomb containing his family jewels. Banks as Mannetta, along with a creepy atmosphere, a good pace and an exciting climax make this better than you might expect.