ché, that
the blacklight vampire bats had seen better days, or that the anthropomorphic
daisies (they were more disturbing in person than they sound) were obviously
mechanical. Though many would consider me a cynic, I’ve never let that little
part of me from my childhood die-that part that can enjoy something purely,
despite its flaws. And if you have, then I feel sorry for you.
This was the very first William Castle film I ever saw. I think I was about
12 at the time. I remember thinking that it was probably the coolest movie ever
made. I also seem to remember having some trouble getting to sleep that night.
However, that was many a year ago, and I must now review the film through jaded
adult eyes. Is it still scary today? It has its moments, but for the most part,
the answer is no. Is it still cool? Oh hell yeah.
Castle is still one of my all-time favorite directors. Sure, he made his
share of flops, but show me one director that hasn’t and I’ll give you my
mummified alligator. (His name's Bitey!) Castle’s earlier films possess a
unique atmosphere, a combination of the luminescent Universal vibe and a type of
pre-hammer gothic. In a time of giant insects and alien death rays, Castle’s
films were a welcome gimmicky respite. His hokum was worth the price of
admission all by itself. A brilliant showman, Castle’s own particular brand of
ballyhoo allowed him to sit back in the audience and share a laugh with us.
(Compare with the “WB” era fabricated post modern “irony“.) You always get the
sense that Castle truly loved what he did.
As to the film itself, it’s a sweetly entertaining if somewhat silly little
spook show. Vincent Price is excellent, as always. His performance possesses
just the right amount of self-conscious mirth without being overly hammy. The
other players are ok, even if the characters they portray are a bit stock.
Elisha Cook Jr. is my favorite. Portraying the somewhat teched surviving sibling
of one of the house’s victims, he exudes creepiness. His constant rambling about
ghosts and odd disconnected stare give him the aura of being genuinely
disturbed.
Yes, the bloody severed head is fakey. (But since it was supposed to be a
fake head, I have no idea why so many people complain about this.) Yes the
real-world logistics of Price’s skeleton marionette and the Mrs.’s slithering
rope trick stretch suspension of disbelief beyond the breaking point. Sorry, I
don’t care. I’m too busy buying cotton candy and standing in line for another
ticket.
When I was just a wee little bog lad, there existed a
splendiferous amusement park called Lincoln Park. It’s long dead now, a victim
of inflation, bureaucracy, and shifting youth culture. Its rotting skeletal
remains
can still
be seen from the highway, very reminiscent of ‘Carnival of Souls’ own haunted
pavilion. Though when it was still thriving, it was no less creepy, for you see
Lincoln Park had a fine haunted house ride. Well, fine for me, I was just a
child at the time. I don’t know if any adult could find it particularly scary,
but then again…