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New Orleans Film Society

Spine Tingler! The William Castle Story

Originally screened October 11, 2008

USA 78 min.

Director
Jeffrey Schwarz
Screenwriter
Jeffrey Schwarz

Synopsis

Spine Tingler: The William Castle Story chronicles the last great American showman, filmmaker William Castle, a master of ballyhoo who became a brand name in movie horror with his outrageous audience participation gimmicks. In the 1950s and 60s, Castle treated delighted moviegoers to buzzing seats, flying skeletons, luminescent ghosts and life insurance policies. His is a rags to riches tale of a larger than life showman who climbed his way up the Hollywood ladder by reinventing himself as a modern P.T. Barnum, all the while driven by a fear of failure and a longing to be respected among his peers.

Documentary Feature Award Winner 2008