Le cinque chiavi del terrore

The first of the "portmanteau" horror movies to be made by Amicus Productions. According to co-producer Milton Subotsky, he was inspired to write a multi-story horror movie by his admiration for Ealing Studios' Incubi notturni (1945), which used a similar format. Indeed, Dr Shreck's opening line ("Pardon me, I think there is room for one more in here, is there not?") echoes the earlier film's celebrated line "Just room for one more inside, sir!"

Contrary to what is implied, in Tarotmancy the thirteenth card showing Death is generally interpreted to indicate a positive change.

On some American prints the MPAA seal appears on the Paramount logo.

The UK Anchor Bay DVD 2003 release presents the film under its German title "Die Todeskarten des Dr Schreck" with font in white on red background although the movie itself has a full English soundtrack. Owing to the unavailability of a better print, the final few seconds (a long shot where Schreck turns and the others follow) are missing and the closing credits are sourced from a VHS print. The UK Odeon Entertainment DVD 2010 release presents the film with its original UK titles and UK title "Dr. Terror's House Of Horrors" with font in red on dark background, having been restored by BBC Studios and Post Production. The closing credits are the same being sourced from a VHS print.

Featured in Creepy Classics (1987)