This Movie Captured the Dark Side of 1970s New York – Massage Parlor Murders! 1975 – The Cadaver Lab

Before Jason Voorhees stalked Camp Crystal Lake and before the slasher boom of the 1980s changed horror forever, there was The Massage Parlor Murders (1973)—a forgotten horror film that feels like a strange bridge between exploitation cinema and the slashers that would follow.

In this horror movie retrospective, I take a look at one of the most obscure horror movies of the 1970s. Set in the seedy streets of pre-cleanup Times Square, this New York exploitation film combines murder mystery thrills, sleaze, violence, and an atmosphere that feels pulled directly from the grindhouse era.

While it never achieved the cult status of films like Maniac, Basket Case, or The Last House on the Left, The Massage Parlor Murders remains a fascinating piece of cult horror history. Between its gritty street photography, funky jazz soundtrack, and proto-slasher elements, it’s easy to see why modern labels like Vinegar Syndrome have helped introduce the film to a new generation of horror fans.

If you’re interested in forgotten horror movies, grindhouse horror, exploitation films, cult cinema, Vinegar Syndrome releases, 1970s horror, New York exploitation movies, or obscure horror recommendations, this is definitely a film worth discussing.

What do you think? Is The Massage Parlor Murders an overlooked cult classic, or is it simply an interesting relic of the grindhouse era?

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