WILLIAM CASTLE AT COLUMBIA VOLUME ONE [1959 / 1960 / 1961 / 2018] [Limited Edition] [Blu-ray] [UK Release] Four Frightening “FIRST” From The Screen’s No.1 Shock Maker William Castle!
Limited Edition Box set includes: ‘THE TINGLER’ [1959]; ‘13 GHOSTS’ [1960]; ‘HOMICIDAL’ [1961] and ‘MR. SARDONICUS’ [1961]
William Castle was renowned for his imaginative and eccentric marketing ploys, and became synonymous with delivering lurid horror films backed-up by his trademark publicity gimmicks “Illusion-O,” “Percepto,” the “Punishment Poll,” “Fright Breaks.” WILLIAM CASTLE AT COLUMBIA VOLUME ONE features four classic fright films from the outrageous showman's illustrious career with Columbia Pictures and presented on Blu-ray for the very first time in the UK. Containing a wealth of new and archival extras, including Jeffrey Schwarz's acclaimed feature-length documentary Spine Tingler! The William Castle Story, newly filmed introductions and appreciations, exclusive new audio commentaries, interviews with actor Pamela Lincoln and publicists Barry Lorie and Richard Kahn, archival featurettes, and much more. This stunning Limited Edition Blu-ray Box Set is strictly limited to 6,000 copies from Powerhouse Films + INDICATOR.
‘THE TINGLER’ [1959]
Cast: Vincent Price, Judith Evelyn, Darryl Hickman, Patricia Cutts, Pamela Lincoln, Philip Coolidge, Leon Alton (uncredited), Richard Barthelmess (archive footage) (uncredited), Gail Bonney (uncredited), William Castle (Prologue Host) (uncredited), Pat Colby (uncredited), George DeNormand (uncredited), Amy Fields (uncredited), Bob Gunderson (uncredited), Dal McKennon (uncredited), Clarence Straight (uncredited) and Ernest Torrence (archive footage) (uncredited)
Director: William Castle
Producer: William Castle
Screenplay: Robb White (written)
Composer: Von Dexter
Make-up and Hair Department: Monty Westmore (Make-up Artist) (uncredited) and Hazel Keats (Hairdresser) (uncredited)
Cinematography: Wilfrid M. Cline, A.S.C. (Director of Photography)
Image Resolution: 1080p (Black and White + Colour)
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1
Audio: English: 1.0 LPCM Mono Audio
English: 2.0 LPCM Stereo Audio
Orchestration and Sound Effects: 1.0 LPCM Mono Audio
Subtitles: English and English SDH
Running Time: 81 minutes
Region: All Regions
Number of discs: 1
Studio: Columbia Pictures / Powerhouse Films / INDICATOR
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‘13 GHOSTS’ [1960]
Cast: Charles Herbert, Jo Morrow, Martin Milner, Rosemary DeCamp, Donald Woods, Margaret Hamilton, John Van Dreelen, Jeanne Baker (uncredited), John Burnside (uncredited), William Castle (Prologue Host) (uncredited), David Hoffman (uncredited), Roy Jenson (uncredited), William Kelley (uncredited), Hubie Kerns (uncredited), Mel Koontz (uncredited), Darryl Scott McFadden (uncredited), Jack Nestle Ghost (uncredited) and Zamba (uncredited)
Director: William Castle
Producer: William Castle
Screenplay: Robb White (written)
Composer: Von Dexter
Make-up and Hair Department: Ben Lane (Make-up supervisor), Richard Cobos (Make-up Artist) (uncredited), Hazel Keats (Hairdresser) (uncredited) and Helen Hunt (Hair stylist)
Cinematography: Joseph F. Biroc, A.S.C. (Director of Photography)
Special Effects: Richard Albain (uncredited)
Visual Effects: Donald C. Glouner (Visual effects producer)
Photographic Colour Effects: Butler- Glouner, Inc.
Image Resolution: 1080p (Black and White + Eastman Color by Pathé)
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1
Audio: English: 1.0 HD-Master Audio Mono
English: 2.0 Dolby Digital Stereo Audio
Orchestration and Sound Effects: 1.0 HD-Master Audio Mono
Subtitles: English
Running Time:
Illusion-O Version: 84 minutes
Ghost Viewer Version: 84 minutes
Black-and-White Version: 82 minutes
Region: All Regions
Number of discs: 1
Studio: Columbia Pictures / Powerhouse Films / INDICATOR
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‘HOMICIDAL’ [1961]
Cast: Glenn Corbett, Patricia Breslin, Eugenie Leontovich, Alan Bunce, Richard Rust, James Westerfield, Gilbert Green, Jean Arless, Wolfe Barzell (uncredited), Teri Brooks (uncredited), William Castle (Prologue Host) (uncredited), Joseph Forte (uncredited), Ralph Moody (uncredited), “Snub” Pollard (uncredited) and Hope Summers (uncredited)
Director: William Castle
Producers: Dona Holloway and William Castle
Screenplay: Robb White (written)
Composer: Hugo Friedhofer
Make-up Department: Ben Lane, S.M.A. (Make-up Supervisor)
Cinematography: Burnett Guffey, A.S.C (Director of Photography)
Image Resolution: 1080p (Black and White)
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1
Audio: English: 1.0 LPCM Mono Audio
English: 2.0 Dolby Digital Stereo Audio
Orchestration and Sound Effects: 1.0 LPCM Mono Audio
Subtitles: English
Running Time: 87 minutes
Region: All Regions
Number of discs: 1
Studio: Columbia Pictures / Powerhouse Films / INDICATOR
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‘MR. SARDONICUS’ [1961]
Cast: Ronald Lewis, Audrey Dalton, Guy Rolfe, Oskar Homolka, Vladimir Sokoloff, Erika Peters, Lorna Hanson, Edith Atwater (uncredited), Ilse Burkert (uncredited), William Castle (Prologue Host) (uncredited), Constance Cavendish (uncredited), Albert D'Arno (uncredited), James Forrest (uncredited), David Janti (uncredited), Annalena Lund (uncredited), Mavis Neal Palmer (uncredited), Charles H. Radilak (uncredited), Franz Roehn (uncredited) and Tina Woodward (uncredited)
Director: William Castle
Producers: Dona Holloway and William Castle
Screenplay: Ray Russell (screenplay + novel)
Composer: Von Dexter
Make-up Department: Ben Lane, S.M.A. (Make-up Supervisor)
Cinematography: Burnett Guffey, A.S.C (Director of Photography)
Image Resolution: 1080p (Black and White)
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1
Audio: English: 1.0 LPCM Mono Audio
English: 2.0 Dolby Digital Stereo Audio
Orchestration and Sound Effects: 1.0 LPCM Mono Audio
Subtitles: English
Running Time: 89 minutes
Region: All Regions
Number of discs: 1
Studio: Columbia Pictures / Powerhouse Films / INDICATOR
Andrew’s Blu-ray Review: With this WILLIAM CASTLE AT COLUMBIA VOLUME ONE limited edition special Blu-ray Box Set, you get to see why William Castle was the king of self-publicity, especially in the realms of advertising, theatre theatrics and marketing ploys, all in it was a way to get more bums on seats, and William Castle has himself a fascinating personal history. Orphaned at 11, left school at 15 and finally produced ‘ROSEMARY’S BABY,’ after churning out low-budget commercial B Movies for much of his career. When it comes to his films, it is a case of horror and promotional functions marrying together to create some exceptionally absurd, excessive and exceptional schlock horror. In this special Limited Edition box set we have the guilty pleasure of the following films ‘THE TINGLER’ [1959]; ‘13 GHOSTS’ [1960], ‘HOMICIDAL’ [1961] and ‘MR SARDONICUS’ [1961] and to find out what each film is about, here is a short synopsis of what you will get to view with each film and be afraid, be very afraid, so now please read on:
‘THE TINGLER’ The coroner and scientist Dr. Warren Chapin [Vincent Price] is researching the shivering effect of fear with his assistant David Morris [Darryl Hickman]. Dr. Warren Chapin is introduced to Oliver 'Ollie' Higgins [Philip Coolidge], the relative of a criminal sentenced to the electric chair, while making the autopsy of the corpse, and he makes a comment about the “Tingler” effect to him. Oliver 'Ollie' Higgins asks for a lift to Dr. Warren Chapin, and introduces his deaf-mute wife Mrs. Martha Ryerson Higgins [Judith Evelyn], who manages a theatre of their own. Dr. Warren Chapin returns home, where he lives with his unfaithful and evil wife Isabel Stevens Chapin and her sweet sister Lucy Stevens. Dr. Warren Chapin [Patricia Cutts], upset with the situation with his wife, threatens and uses her as a subject of his experiment. When Mrs. Martha Ryerson Higgins dies of fear, Dr. Warren Chapin makes her autopsy and finds a creature that lives inside every human being, feeds with fear and is controlled by the scream. Once Mrs. Martha Ryerson Higgins was not able to scream, the “Tingler” was not rendered harmless and became enormous. When the living being escapes, Dr. Warren Chapin and Oliver 'Ollie' Higgins chase the “Tingler” and enter a crowded cinema theatre. The screen fades, and Dr. Warren Chapin's voice says, "Ladies and gentlemen, just a word of warning. If any of you are not convinced that you have a “Tingler” of your own, the next time you are frightened in the dark ... don't scream.”
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‘13 GHOSTS’ When Cyrus Zorba [Donald Woods] and his poverty-stricken family inherit an old mansion; that was originally owned by occultist Uncle Dr. Plato Zorba [Roy Jenson] they can't believe their good luck. However, not long after they move in they realise that the house is haunted by 12 ghosts and run by a housekeeper Elaine Zacharides [Margaret Hamilton] who works in the dark arts. Though the ghosts are intent on killing a member of the family, the Zorba family insist on staying in the house because they have learned that a large fortune is hidden somewhere inside the haunted house. Unfortunately the Zorba family members find their lives at risk upon the discovery that Dr. Plato Zorba's fortune lies hidden somewhere in the house; but receive aid from unexpected quarters as the threat to their lives is revealed.
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‘HOMICIDAL’ Chaos and danger reign when so called good girl Miriam Webster [Patricia Breslin] meets her half-brother’s girlfriend, Emily [Jean Arless], a mysterious blonde bombshell living at their family's Southern California estate. Emily serves as the nurse for the sibling's aging, wheelchair-using guardian, Helga Swenson [Eugenie Leontovich]. Emily is not, however, as sweet as she seems and soon reveals herself to be a murderous schemer who will stop at nothing to steal the extensive $10 million estate inheritance when Miriam Webster half-brother Warren turns 21 years of age. One person Miriam Webster doesn't like however is Emily who came with Warren and Helga Swenson from Europe and now lives with them as a housekeeper/companion. Miriam Webster has good reason not to like her as she seems to be a homicidal maniac. What Miriam Webster doesn't realise is that there is method behind Emily's madness and a deep family secret that she is not privy to.
HOMICIDAL MUSIC TRACK LIST
HOMICIDAL (Written by D. Michaeltine and B. Handsum) (Lyrics by Scary D Satanik Buztz and Doorclosing) [Performed by Rawniggaz]
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‘MR. SARDONICUS’ Sir Robert Cargrave [Ronald Lewis], a gifted London doctor researching experimental treatments for paralysis, receives a mysterious letter written in a familiar hand. Following its instructions, Sir Robert Cargrave travels to the foggy mountains of Gorslava, where he must treat the horribly disfigured Baron Sardonicus [Guy Rolfe]. Baron Sardonicus has married Cargrave's childhood sweetheart Maude [Audrey Dalton], and threatens to harm her should the good London doctor Sir Robert Cargrave fail to cure him of his bizarre affliction and wears a mask covering his face. Sir Robert Cargrave has a private conversation with Baron Sardonicus and he learns that the Baron was the peasant Marek Toleslawski that lived in a poor house with his wife Elenka Toleslawski and his father Henryk Toleslawski, who gives a lottery ticket as a gift to Elenka Toleslawski and dies. Months later, Marek Toleslawski and Elenka Toleslawski learn that they have won the lottery; however the ticket was buried with Henryk Toleslawski. Marek Toleslawski decides to retrieve the ticket in Henryk Toleslawski’s grave and when he sees the face of Henryk Toleslawski, he freezes his face with a horrible grimace. Baron Sardonicus wants Sir Robert Cargrave to recover his face; otherwise he will destroy Maude's face. But will Sir Robert Cargrave succeed?
MR. SARDONICUS MUSIC TRACK LIST
FOGGY, FOGGY DEW (uncredited) (English folk song) [Performed by Ronald Lewis] [Sir Robert Cargrave sings the song while he is taking a bath at Baron Sardonicus's castle]
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Blu-ray Image Quality – Columbia Pictures, Powerhouse Films + INDICATOR presents us this brilliant WILLIAM CASTLE AT COLUMBIA VOLUME ONE Limited Edition box set with four brilliant William Castle films in a stunning 1080p black-and-white + colour images and also enhanced with a 1.85:1 aspect ratio and the source looks flawless, and it is in a really good image condition and in excellent shape and the grain is finely managed. Black and white contrast looks good with deep black and a good looking greyscale throughout, especially for the age of all the films.
Blu-ray Audio Quality – Columbia Pictures, Powerhouse Films + INDICATOR brings you WILLIAM CASTLE AT COLUMBIA VOLUME ONE Limited Edition box set with four brilliant William Castle films with a choice of audio experiences, that includes 1.0 LPCM Mono Audio, 2.0 LPCM Stereo Audio, Orchestration and Sound Effects: 1.0 LPCM Mono Audio and 2.0 Dolby Digital Stereo Audio that is very clean and also you get no audio distortion, especially when the actors speak, and also very good is the composed film score for each of the films is very clear and totally outstanding, but most of all, you will have a very scary experience throughout the four brilliant William Castle films. But with the film ‘13 GHOSTS’ you have a different audio experiences that includes 1.0 HD-Master Audio Mono, 2.0 Dolby Digital Stereo Audio and Orchestration and Sound Effects: 1.0 HD-Master Audio Mono.
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Blu-ray Special Features and Extras:
‘THE TINGLER’ Special Features
Special Feature: ‘THE TINGLER’ Audio Commentary with Jonathan Rigby and Kevin Lyons [Audio only] [2018] [1080p] [1.85:1] [81:30] With this featurette, we get to hear this very special ‘THE TINGLER’ audio commentary from Kevin Lyons, who is the editor of The Encyclopaedia of Fantastic Film and Television and Jonathan Rigby who is the author of American Gothic: Six Decades of Classic Horror Cinema and are here to give you lots of in-depth review of this brilliant William Castle 1959 film and we also get lots of fascinating background in-depth information of this wonderful film ‘THE TINGLER.’
Special Feature: Imaginary Biology [2018] [1080p] [1.78:1] [16:19] With this featurette, we get to view a new appreciation of the William Castle film ‘THE TINGLER’ by Kim Newman [Film Critic and author of “Nightmare Movies”] and speaks in-depth about director William Castle the showman, and the in-depth look of every aspect of his films and also about the business of “Percepto” and the concept of the marketing that William Castle pursued. Kim Newman also gives great praise about the wonderful actor Vincent Price. Kim Newman gives a very energetic view about this very eccentric director and finds something new in-depth information about this 1959 film in particular. But Kim Newman dares you to venture into the scary world of the ‘THE TINGLER’ movie.
Special Feature: I Survived ‘THE TINGLER’ [2018] [1080i] [1.37:1] [4:08] With this featurette, we get to view this archival interview with the actress Pamela Lincoln who played the character Lucy Stevens in the 1959 film ‘THE TINGLER’ and Pamela Lincoln also talks about this being her claim to fame. But Pamela Lincoln proclaims that ‘THE TINGLER’ is a very good “cult film.”
Special Feature: Unleashing “Percepto” [2018] [1080i] [1.37:1] [2:57] With this featurette, we get to view an interview with Veteran Hollywood Marketing Executive Publicist Barry Lorie who worked for Columbia Pictures Publicity Department and publicised a lot of William Castle films and especially the 1959 movie ‘THE TINGLER’ and had to go to certain cinemas to help install the electronic gizmo “Percepto” and of course talks in-depth about the playful use of the “Percepto” gimmick that was under the majority of the seats in the cinema of the paying public and says it was a very successful gimmick.
Special Feature: Scream for Your Lives! William Castle and ‘THE TINGLER’ [1999] [480i] [1.37:1] [15:40] With this featurette, we get to view this rare archival documentary about the making of the film ‘THE TINGLER’ [1959] and people involved with this document talk in-depth about the William Castle films that are famous for well-made cheesy fun, such as films as ‘THE TINGLER’ and ‘STRAIGHT-JACKET’ and are classics of the 1950’s and 1960’s “schlock” shock horror period and they are definitely an acquired taste. Contributors include: Darryl Hickman [Actor], Bob Burns [Archivist and Monster Enthusiast], Lucy Chase Williams [Author of “The Complete Films of Vincent Price”], David J. Skal [Film Historian], William Castle (archive footage) (uncredited), Philip Coolidge (Oliver “Ollie” Higgins) (archive footage) (uncredited), Pamela Lincoln (archive footage) (uncredited) and Vincent Price (archive footage) (uncredited).
Special Feature: Theatre Lobby Spot [Audio only] [1959] [1080p] [1.78:1] [2:36] With this featurette, we get to hear this 12” 78 R.P.M. archival promotional audio recording featuring actor Vincent Price that would be played continuously and automatically in the cinema’s lobby when the audiences come to see the film ‘THE TINGLER.’
Special Feature: ‘THE TINGLER’ Isolated Music and Audio Sound Effects Track [1959] [1080p] [1.85:1] [81:29] With this featurette, we get to hear the wonderful atmospheric isolated composed music by Von Dexter and of course the ghostly horrific sound effects for the film ‘THE TINGLER.’
Special Feature: Theatrical Trailer [1959] [1080p] [1.78:1] [2:24] With this featurette, we get to view the Original Theatrical Trailer for the film ‘THE TINGLER.’
Special Feature: Joe Dante ‘THE TINGLER’ Trailer Commentary [2013] [1080p] [1.78:1] [3:00] With this featurette, we get to hear this short critical appreciation commentary from director Joe Dante for the film ‘THE TINGLER.’ At the same time, we get to view several clips from the film ‘THE TINGLER.’
Special Feature: ‘THE TINGLER’ Promotional Items: With the following, we get to view two special featurette related to the film ‘THE TINGLER’ and they are as follows:
Promotional Material Gallery: With this featurette, we get to view 33 wonderful 1080p Black-and-White and Colour images of Stills, Lobby Cards and Film Posters for the 1959 film ‘THE TINGLER.’ Please Note: To advance the images, you have to press the right hand NEXT button on your remote control. Press MENU or TOP MENU to exit this featurette.
“Percepto” Instruction Manuel: With this featurette, we get to view 25 images black-and-white images of the original “Percepto” instruction manual gallery pages of the original installation guide of how to install the “Percepto” electronic buzzer for the 1959 film ‘THE TINGLER.’ Please Note: To advance the images, you have to press the right hand NEXT button on your remote control. Press MENU or TOP MENU to exit this featurette.
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’13 GHOSTS’ Special Features
Special Feature: Spine Tingler! The William Castle Story [2007] [480i] [1080p] [1.78:1] [81:45] With this featurette, we get to view this Jeffrey Swartz acclaimed documentary, and delves into the life and career of William Castle, a producer of horror films who had a natural talent for creating attention-grabbing and seat-filling gimmicks to promote his various projects in his 1950’s heyday. Contributors include: William Castle [Archive footage], Terry Castle [Daughter of William Castle], Paul Sammon [Film Historian], Norman Horowitz [Business Associate], Hawk Koch [Friend and Personal Assistant], Budd Boetticher [American Film Director], Marilyn Hill Nash [William Castle friend], Thomas Page [William Castle friend], Michael Schlesinger [Columbia Pictures Repertory], Leonard Maltin [American Film Critic and Film Historian], Richard Kahn [William Castle friend and Business Associate], David Del Valle [Journalist, Columnist and Film Historian], Ruth Scully [Sister of Ellen Castle], Sidney Balkin [William Castle friend and Business Associate], Jacqueline Scott [American actress and star of ‘Macabre’], John Waters [American Filmmaker and Writer], Bob Burns [William Castle fan], Stuart Gordon [American Filmmaker and Theatre Director], Donald F. Glut [American Writer and William Castle fan], Fred Olsen Ray [American Film Producer and Director], Roger Corman [American Film Director], John Landis [American Filmmaker and Actor], Bob Thomas [Film Historian and Journalist], Joe Dante [American Film Director], Darryl Hickman [Actor in ‘THE TINGLER’], Pamela Lincoln Yergen [Actress in ‘THE TINGLER’], Barry Lorie [Publicity Department at Columbia Pictures], John Badham [American Film Director and Colleague], Forrest J. Ackerman [Editor of Famous Monsters of Filmland], Marcia Scullly Little [William Castle Niece], Steve Beckel [William Castle friend and Personal Assistant], Anne Helm [Canadian actress for ‘Strait-Jacket’], Diane Baker [American actress for ‘Strait-Jacket’], Jeannot Szwarc [French Director and Family friend], Steven North [Producer for ‘Shanks’], Marcel Marceau [French Mime Artist and Star for ‘Shanks’], Norman Horowitz [Business Associate], William J. Immerman [William Castle fiend and Business Associate] and Kyle Newell and Will Newell [Grandchildren of William Castle].
Special Feature: Spine Tingler! The William Castle Story Audio Commentary [Audio only] [2008] [480i] [1080p] [1.78:1] [81:43] With this featurette, we get to hear this audio commentary with Film Producer, Director, and Editor Jeffrey Schwarz and Daughter of William Castle Terry Castle. Jeffrey Schwarz informs us that they are recording this audio commentary somewhere in California on the 19th March, 2008 and both of them are here to talk about the wonderful 2007 documentary about the life and times of the great showman William Castle.
Special Feature: Larger Than Life: The Making of Spine Tingler! The William Castle Story [2011] [480i] [1080i] [1080p] [1.78:1] [0:00] With this featurette, we get an in-depth look at the documentary “Spine Tingler! The William Castle Story” that was directed by Jeffrey Schwarz and we also get lots of input from people who admire the larger than life great showman of William Castle, and Jeffrey Schwarz talks about all the people who contributed to the amazing documentary because of William Castle’s amazing career and that the American people were such massive fans of William Castle’s brilliant and totally unique films. Contributors include: Jeffrey Schwarz [Director, Producer and Editor], Philip Harrison [Editor], Michael “The Millionaire” Cudahy [Composer] and Grant Nellessen [Graphic Designer].
Special Feature: '13 GHOSTS' – The Magic of Illusion-O [2001] [1080i] [1.37:1] [7:42] With this featurette, Michael Schlesinger, Bob Burns, Fred Olen Ray and others discuss the William Castle 1960 film '13 GHOSTS' and also talk highlights about the Illusion-O system, where theatre-goers were given a special viewer so that they could see the ghosts in the film, and also includes film clips from the 1960 film '13 GHOSTS.' Contributors include: William Castle [Archive footage], Michael Schlesinger [Columbia Pictures Repertory], Donald F. Glut [American Writer, Motion Picture Film Director and Screenwriter], Bob Burns [Monster Enthusiast] and Fred Olen Ray [American Film Producer and Director].
Special Feature: Stephen Laws Introduces '13 GHOSTS' [2018] [1080p] [1.78:1] [12:14] With this featurette, we get a personal appreciation of the film '13 GHOSTS' by the acclaimed horror author and massive William Castle film fan Stephen Laws and also included are film clips from the 1960 film '13 GHOSTS.'
Special Feature: Theatre Lobby Spot [1960] [1080p] [1.78:1] [2:24] With this featurette, we get to hear the Columbia Pictures '13 GHOSTS' promotional 12” 78 R.P.M. recording that was originally played continually and automatically in the cinema foyer when people came to see the film '13 GHOSTS.’ The 12” recording contained Narration Announcer, Music and Sound Effects.
Special Feature: '13 GHOSTS' Isolated Music and Sound Effects Track [1960] [1080p] [1.85:1] [84:26] With this featurette, we get to hear the wonderful atmospheric isolated composed music by Von Dexter and of course the ghostly horrific sound effects for the film '13 GHOSTS.’ So sit back and enjoy the ride folks!
Special Feature: Theatrical Trailer [1960] [1080p] [1.78:1] [2:27] With this featurette, we get to view the Original Theatrical Trailer for the film '13 GHOSTS.’
Special Feature: Sam Hamm '13 GHOSTS’ Trailer Commentary [2008] [1080p] [1.78:1] [2:48] With this featurette, we get to hear a short critical appreciation from American Screenwriter Sam Hamm for the William Castle film '13 GHOSTS.’
Special Feature: Image Gallery: With this featurette, we get to view 44 wonderful 1080 black-and-white and colour promotional, on-set photography, poster art and archival materials for the film '13 GHOSTS.’ Please Note: Use the right hand NEXT button on your remote control to advance the images. Press MENU or TOP MENU to exit the featurette.
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‘HOMICIDAL’ Special Features
Special Feature: ‘HOMICIDAL’ Audio Commentary with Lee Gambin [Audio only] [2018] [1080p] [1.85:1] [88:00] With this featurette, we get to hear from Author and Film Historian Lee Gambin for the film ‘HOMICIDAL’ Lee Gambin doesn’t steer away from the gimmicks, he is very eager and moves away from illogical rational direct at film. Lee Gambin is also spot on about the Fright Break! Lee Gambin also comments that William Castle’s ‘HOMICIDAL’ goes beyond inspiration and lifts wholeheartedly from the work of Alfred Hitchcock, particularly ‘Psycho.’ Finally, Lee Gambin feels 'HOMICIDAL' is actually one of William Castle’s best films overall, exploring subject matter that wasn’t necessarily the norm at the time in the 1960’s and says thank you for listening to my audio commentary and god bless William Castle.
Special Feature: Stephen Laws Introduces 'HOMICIDAL' [2018] [1080p] [1.78:1] [7:46] With this featurette, we get to view a personal introduction and appreciation of the 1961 horror film 'HOMICIDAL' by the acclaimed Horror novelist, horror movie fan and a big massive William Castle fan. As an added bonus, we get to few a few clips from the 1961 film 'HOMICIDAL.'
Special Feature: Psychette: William Castle and 'HOMICIDAL' [2002] [480i] [1080i] [1.37:1] [7:42] With this featurette, we get to view this short in-depth appreciation discussion about the William Castle 1961 horror movie 'HOMICIDAL' with Bob Burns, David Del Valle, Michael Schlesinger, Fred Olen Ray and others they talk about the making of the film ‘HOMICIDAL.’ Contributors include: William Castle (archive footage), Donald F. Glut [American Writer, Motion Picture Film Director and Screenwriter], Bob Burns [Monster Enthusiast], David Del Valle [Journalist, Columnist and Film Historian], Michael Schlesinger [Columbia Pictures Repertory] and Fred Olen Ray [American Film Producer and Director].
Special Feature: Youngstown, Ohio ‘HOMICIDAL’ Film Premiere [1961] [1080p] [1.37:1] [5:02] With this featurette, we get to view this short original promotional reel about the film premiere of 'HOMICIDAL' that was held at the Palace Theatre in Youngstown, Ohio in which William Castle interviews attendees of the ‘HOMICIDAL’ film premiere.
Special Feature: Ballyhoo! [2018] [1080i] [1.37:1] [3:51] With this featurette, Bob Thomas [Entertainment Journalist] recalls the time he went to interview Director William Castle in 1960 and is really excellent and it is actually a very good insightful look at the man the director.
Special Feature: ‘HOMICIDAL’ Isolated Music and Sound Effects Track [1961] [1080p] [1.85:1] [87:22] With this featurette, we get to hear the brilliant Isolated Composed Film Score by Hugo Friedhofer and also experience the spooky sound effects track for the 1961 film 'HOMICIDAL.’ All in all, I hope you enjoy this very creepy menacing experience folks.
Special Feature: Theatrical Trailer [1961] [1080p] [1.78:1] [2:18] With this featurette, we get to view the Original Theatrical Trailer for the film 'HOMICIDAL.’
Special Feature: Image Gallery: With this featurette, we get to view 40 wonderful 1080p black-and-white and colour images of promotional and on-set photography, poster art and archival materials for the 1961 film 'HOMICIDAL.’ Please Note: Use the right hand NEXT button on your remote control to advance the images. Press MENU or TOP MENU to exit the featurette.
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‘MR. SARDONICUS’ Special Features
Special Feature: ‘MR. SARDONICUS’ Audio Commentary with Kat Ellinger and Samm Deighan [2018] [1080p] [1.78:1] [89:36] With this featurette, we get to hear from Kat Ellinger [Editor in chief of Diabolique Magazine] and Samm Deighan [Associate Editor of Diabolique Magazine] who are both are very excited to talk about the 1961 William Castle film ‘MR. SARDONICUS,’ and they both feel it is William Castle’s most gothic film and possibly most different from his other films and especially a very special film in that regard. One of the female commentator asks the other female commentator how would she of voted, and that folks you will have to purchase this Blu-ray release to find out how she would of voted, and at that point this audio commentary with Kat Ellinger and Samm Deighan comes to an end, and I really enjoyed hearing the comments by Kat Ellinger and Samm Deighan made towards this 1961 William Castle film.
Special Feature: Gothic Castle [2018] [1080p] [1.78:1] [27:51] With this featurette, we get a critical in-depth analysis by Jonathan Rigby who is the Author of American Gothic: Six Decades of Classic Horror Cinema and is here to talk about the William Castle 1961 film ‘MR. SARDONICUS.’ As ab added bonus, we get to view several clips from the film ‘MR. SARDONICUS.’
Special Feature: The Punishment Poll [2002] [1080i] [1.37:1] [5:55] With this featurette, we get to view an interview with Richard Kahn [Columbia Pictures Publicity Department] and talks about the success of the American television series “Alfred Hitchcock Presents” which really influenced William Castle, especially when at the start of some of his films and would of course talk to the audience in the cinema, because William Castle felt Alfred Hitchcock created a special magic talking to the camera at the start of his television programme and William Castle wanted to emulate that similar situation at the tart of some of his films, like a true showman that he was, and of course Richard Kahn eventually gets round to talking about the William Castle “Mr. Sardonicus Punishment Poll” and whether you want Mr. Sardonicus to live or die by the audience in the cinema, and if you have not seen the film ‘MR. SARDONICUS,’ then of course you have find out how the majority of the audience voted.
Special Feature: Taking “The Punishment Poll” [2002] [1080i] [1.37:1] [7:36] With this featurette, we get to meet David Del Valle, Michael Schlesinger, Fred Olen Ray and others who discuss in-depth the William Castle 1961 film ‘MR. SARDONICUS.’ Contributors include: William Castle (archive footage), David Del Valle [Film Historian], Michael Schlesinger [Columbia Pictures Repertory], Don F. Glut [Film Historian], Bob Burns [Monster Enthusiast] and Fred Olen Ray [Movie Director].
Special Feature: ‘MR. SARDONICUS’ Isolated Music and Sound Effects Track [1961] [1080p] [1.85:1] [89:55] With this featurette, With this featurette, we get to hear the wonderful atmospheric isolated composed music by Von Dexter and of course the ghostly horrific sound effects for the film ‘MR. SARDONICUS.’
Special Feature: Theatrical Trailer [1961] [1080i] [1.78:1] [3:35] With this featurette, we get to view the Original Theatrical Trailer for the film ‘MR. SARDONICUS.’
Special Feature: Stuart Gordon ‘MR. SARDONICUS’ Trailer Commentary [2013] [1080i] [1.78:1] [3:57] With this featurette, we get to hear a short critical appreciation from Stuart Gordon [Director] for the Original Theatrical Trailer for the film ‘MR. SARDONICUS,’ but Stuart Gordon also talks about other information for the 1961 William Castle film.
Special Feature: Image Gallery: With this featurette, we get to view 51 wonderful 1080p black-and-white and colour promotional and on-set photography, poster art and archival materials related to the 1961 film ‘MR. SARDONICUS.’ Please Note: To advance the images, you have to use the right hand NEXT button on your remote control. Press MENU or TOP MENU to exit the featurette.
Finally, the WILLIAM CASTLE AT COLUMBIA VOLUMN ONE Limited Edition Blu-ray box set from Powerhouse Films and INDICATOR is a totally pure delight, with a fantastic set that is absolutely full of wonderful exclusive extras loaded with gorgeous transfers for each film! This set is a continuing love letter to the master of gimmicky horror thrillers from Powerhouse Films and INDICATOR, and William Castle was a showman of the highest order, and lovers of his films should be falling over themselves to own this wonderful WILLIAM CASTLE AT COLUMBIA VOLUMN ONE Blu-ray set, because this is about as essential as it gets for enthusiastic B-movie film fans. Very Highly Recommended!
Andrew C. Miller – Your Ultimate No.1 Film Aficionado
Le Cinema Paradiso
United Kingdom
