13 FRIGHTENED GIRLS
13 GHOSTS
HOMICIDAL
MR. SARDONICUS
THE TINGLER
WILLIAM CASTLE
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"William Castle" was the king of b-grade horror movies.
In addition to producing movies, Castle also did appeared on screen to introduce several of his films. These appearances became part of his "master of ceremonies" persona, somewhat analogous to Alfred Hitchcock's television introductions.
These movies were:
"13 Ghosts" (1960) - Castle appears at the beginning in an office/laboratory-like setting, accompanied by an animated skeleton. He explains the film's "Illusion-O" gimmick and the special ghost viewer supplied to patrons.
"Homicidal" (1961) - Castle gives an on-screen opening introduction, referring to his earlier excursions into the macabre. Later, at the climax, his voice returns for the famous "Fright Break", giving frightened patrons a chance to leave and obtain a refund.
"Mr. Sardonicus" (1961) - Castle appears at the very beginning of the movie, standing on a foggy Victorian London street and addressing the audience directly. He later reappears near the end to conduct the celebrated "Punishment Poll", asking the audience to decide Sardonicus's fate.
"The Tingler" (1959) - Castle appears as himself in an on-screen prologue, addressing the audience before the story begins. He identifies himself as the director, warns viewers that they may experience physical sensations, and encourages them to scream if they feel a tingling sensation. His introduction ends with: "And remember—a scream at the right time may save your life". This is an introductory appearance as himself, rather than a character in the story.
Castle also appeared extensively in trailers and promotional films, sometimes beginning with a personal warning to the audience. His daughter Terry Castle recalled this aspect of his showmanship, and contemporary surviving trailers show him directly addressing prospective viewers.
"Mr. Sardonicus" is particularly interesting because Castle's opening is remarkably close to a genuine horror-host introduction: he appears in a specially created atmospheric setting, speaks directly to the viewer, establishes the macabre mood, and then turns the audience over to the feature film.
WILLIAM CASTLE William Castle was born William Schloss on 24 April 1014 in New York, New York, USA; and passed away on 31 May 1977 in Los Angeles, California, USA.
Castle was an American film producer, director and actor whose career encompassed studio mysteries, crime dramas, horror films and television. Born William Schloss in New York City, he worked in the theater before entering motion pictures. At Columbia Pictures, he gained experience in several production roles before making his feature directing debut with the Boston Blackie mystery The Chance of a Lifetime (1943).
During the 1940s and 1950s, Castle directed films in Columbia's Crime Doctor and Whistler series, as well as When Strangers Marry (1944) and Fort Ti (1953). He also served as an associate producer and worked on second-unit photography for Orson Welles' The Lady from Shanghai (1947). These assignments preceded his move into independently produced suspense and horror films.
Castle and his wife, Ellen, mortgaged their home to help finance Macabre (1958), which he made in collaboration with screenwriter Robb White. Its advertising campaign offered insurance against death from fright, establishing the combination of filmmaking and theatrical promotion that became a distinguishing feature of his career. House on Haunted Hill (1959), starring Vincent Price, used a theater attraction called Emergo, in which a skeleton was suspended above the audience. For The Tingler (1959), also starring Price, selected theater seats were fitted with vibrating devices advertised as Percepto. Castle appeared as himself in the film's opening introduction, warning viewers about the sensations they might experience.
He continued with 13 Ghosts (1960), Homicidal (1961), Mr. Sardonicus (1961) and Strait-Jacket (1964). His productions frequently incorporated audience participation, special viewing devices or personal appearances that connected the film with its theatrical presentation.
Below is the trailer for "13 Frightened Girls":
Below is the trailer for "13 Ghosts":
Below is the trailer for "Homicidal":
Below is the trailer for "Mr. Sardonicus":
Below is the trailer for "The Tingler": |
LINKS
 Internet Movie Data Base "William Castle" |
 William Castle "William Castle" |
 Find A Grave "William Castle" |
 Wikipedia "William Castle" |
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