Burgess Meredith stars as Dr. Diabolo, a sideshow barker who gives daring patrons a glimpse at their untimely demises in this horror anthology flick from Britain’s Amicus Productions (ever the poor man’s Hammer Studios). The four featured tales include a mind-controlling cat, a secret society of androids, a killer piano, and dueling collectors of all things Edgar Allan Poe. I expected more from venerable British cinematographer-turned-director Freddie Francis and writer Robert Bloch (Psycho). Each of the stories is pedestrian and the characterizations paper-thin. The film skates by on the personalities (and reputations) of its featured cast. Meredith puts in a charismatic performance in the wraparound story, while Peter Cushing and Jack Palance headline the final story as dueling Poe collectors.