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Learn about William Castle, a prolific and innovative filmmaker who used gimmicks to promote his thrillers. He directed and produced classics like Macabre, House on Haunted Hill, and The Tingler.
- The Old Dark House
- Macabre
- I Saw What You Did
- Shanks
- Let’s Kill Uncle
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J. B. Priestley’s The Old Dark House was first adapted by James Whale in 1932. The original works as an effective chiller and tongue-in-cheek comedy that parodies stories about haunted houses and things that go bump in the night. Castle was no stranger to splashing his scare fare with humor, which made him the perfect director to reimagine the stor...
Macabre isn’t the best William Castle film — obviously, hence its ninth-place ranking — but a case could be made that it is his most important. This dark thriller about the daughter of a doctor being kidnapped and buried alive marked the first time Castle used his signature gimmicks. Theater attendees were given a certificate for a $1,000 life insu...
In 1965, Castle worked with Joan Crawford for the second and final time with I Saw What You Did. Teens Libby and Kit are bored one evening and entertain themselves by making relatively innocent prank phone calls to random numbers. Every time someone answers, they repeat, “I saw what you did, and I know who you are.” Unfortunately, one of their rand...
It’s somewhat surprising that one of Castle’s most disturbing films is also among his least seen. That said, it’s easy to understand why audiences didn’t (and don’t) take to this grim slice of madness as easily as they do movies about haunted houses and more traditionally portrayed psychopaths. Shanksfollows a deaf puppeteer named Malcolm (played b...
An irredeemably bratty, combat-obsessed orphan named Barnaby inherits a fortune after the death of his father (a silent cameo by Castle). Until he reaches the right age to collect, Barnaby is sent to live on a remote island with his uncle Kevin, a former British intelligence commander who has literally written a book about how good he is at killing...
A ranking of the horror director's best films, from The Old Dark House to Shanks, by FSR staff. Learn about Castle's signature gimmicks, influences, and legacy in this article.
William Castle was a prolific and eccentric filmmaker who made low-budget horror movies with gimmicks like Percepto and Emergo. He also produced Rosemary's Baby and appeared in several films as himself or a character.
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- New York City, New York, USA
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- Los Angeles, California, USA
William Castle and Christopher George in Project X (1968)- Harold E. Stine, Greta Baldwin, William Castle, and Christopher George in Project X (1968)
- Barbara Stanwyck and William Castle in The Night Walker (1964)
- William Castle, Buzz Kulik, and Gerald S. O'Loughlin in Riot (1969)
- Orson Welles at The Brown Derby circa 1948
Learn about William Castle, an American director known for his innovative marketing techniques to promote his B-horror movies. Find out his notable works, such as Macabre, House on Haunted Hill, and The Tingler, and his nickname "King of the Gimmick".
- Michael Barson
Jun 1, 2023 · Learn about the life and legacy of William Castle, the director who shocked and amazed audiences with his gimmicks and spectacles. From Macabre to House on Haunted Hill, discover how he influenced horror cinema and created memorable experiences for his fans.
- Author
Oct 10, 2023 · Learn about the life and career of William Castle, a prolific and innovative filmmaker who revolutionized horror cinema with his gimmicky marketing tactics and audience engagement. Explore his classic films such as MACABRE, THE HOUSE ON HAUNTED HILL, and 13 GHOSTS, and how he created a cult following with his campy charm and suspenseful storytelling.
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William Castle was an American film director, producer, screenwriter, and actor known for his gimmick films. He directed and produced many horror and thriller movies, such as The Tingler, House on Haunted Hill, and 13 Ghosts.
