Spotlight: Horror Director William Castle

The late William Castle, B-movie horror director, was known for his gimmicky style in his work. In his films, the gimmicks were actually made a part of the films, and had a unique way of providing interaction with his audiences.

In some instances, he actually showed up at the film premiers, and talked to the crowds about his movies, thereby giving his tricks even more credence.

Of course, the B-movies he directed were scary back then, but what is interesting is that what scared us then, is just laughable today. Just imagine if you were in a theatre, and an inflatable skeleton came floating across the room. This trick was done for a film called House On Haunted Hill (1959), the original, which starred Vincent Price.

Castle’s other most notable trick was called the Coward’s Corner. For the film called Homicidal (1961), a 45 second timer was over laid on the screen before the climax of the film. At this time, the viewers were warned that if they were too scared to see it, they would be given a full refund for the film, provided they went to the yellow room, called the Coward’s Corner.

At the end of the film, the “cowards” were jeered at by the movie goers who stayed, and then given their refund. Castle also warned movie goers that were they to reveal the end of the film, he’d kill them. Castle will always be remembered not just for his gimmicks, but for his zeal and desire to scare the hell out of all of us.

Via Wikipedia & YouTube; image via Amazon.com