The Tingler
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Movie Reviews of The Tingler
Movie Review: Look at that Tingler....
Summary: 4 Stars
THE TINGLER is "the" definitive William Castle gimmick movie. For the theatrical release, he boasted that the film was shot in "Percepto", meaning that in theatres every tenth seat would be hooked up so as to recieve a mild electric shock at scary moments in the film. He assured, however, that if you screamed, the tingling would stop, and you would be safe. Another gimmick used is a short color sequence of a bathroom, with blood filling the sink and bath tub. Sort of the precursor to STEPHEN KING'S IT. Yet another novelty was a black out sequence, when Vincent Price's voice would explain that a young woman in the audience had fainted. The house lights in the theatre would come up, and an actress would be walked out on a gurney. Then the film would resume. This gimmick was not used as much as the highly advertised "Percepto", mainly because each theatres would conform only to one gimmick for financial reasons.
The film itself is about a devoted doctor (Price, in a wonderfully overacted role), who after proving to himself and a colleague that fear can manifest as a large "worm like" thing on the spinal cord ("spine tingling"), sets out to find a live specimen. He discovers this in the recntly dead body of a deaf-mute, she cannot scream (the only way to destroy the Tingler), and so the Tingler snapped her spine. But when Price removes the Tingler, it escapes and runs amok during a showing of "Tolable David". Great fun, buy it. Ta ta, be good to eacother.
Movie Review: Scream! Scream for your lives!
Summary: 4 Stars
This is one of the best of the William Castle thrillers from the late 1950s through the early 1960s. Gimmick laden and full of fun, Castle films were always tongue in cheek and (nearly) always delivered.
"The Tingler" has always been one of my very favorites in the Castle stable from the first time I saw it on TV as a kid. Of course, it loses a little of its gimmick impact when watching the film on television because the climax happens in a theater. The screen goes black and patrons are encouraged, by the star of the film, Vincent Price, to scream for their lives. However, in later years I have been fortunate enough to see the film in a big theater with chairs wired for "shock" value and the result, I can tell you, is electrifying. But seeing this at home, on DVD does not really dampen the fun in the slightest way.
The script, though far fetched, is really imaginative and Price gives his performance as much gusto as he would any of his more prestigious rolls. The supporting cast, including Darryl Hickman, (Dobie Gillis' brother) are equally as good. There are also some wonderful (and colorful) surprises (in a B & W film) that I won't give away. The best thing about this DVD, however, is the fact that the print used for the transfer is excellent, much better than the poor quality of "The House On Haunted Hill" or "Day of the Triffids" offered on Netflix.
So purchase 'The Tingler" today and scream, scream for your lives!
Movie Review: A Fun Horror Flick
Summary: 4 Stars
I read what this movie was about before I watched it and I figured what I might be in for. I thought this movie would not hold me over but to my surprise it did. I have recently started watching a lot of Vincent Price movies lately and find myself always entertained with his character. The Tingler was laughable at certain parts and I don't mean that in a bad way but merely in a fun way. I found myself wondering what it would of been like to see the movie back when it was made. I was really loving a part where people are in a movie theater and The Tingler is loose and the lights are off. Just listening to the peoples panics and Vincent Price yelling about the Tingler made me like the film even more. You can see the wires and the Tingler looks like some kind of a worm but it didn't matter to me since I found myself enjoying it especially considering the time it was made. There was another really great part where color was used and it fit perfect and I would say it is probably my favorite scenes from the movie next to the pitch black theater. If you are a fan of Vincent Price or fun old horror flicks I say watch it at least once and see what you think.
The special features though not many are nice to have and the sound and video of the movie is kind of what you expect nothing great but not bad or ugly.
Movie Review: I Liked 'Ollie' Best!
Summary: 4 Stars
"Ollie" was my favorite person in this movie. What a strange dude! He was full of surprises, including reactions to things, comments he makes and, of course, deeds he commits.
Yeah, Vincent Price proves again what a fine actor we was, and is the star of the film, but I really enjoyed Philip Coolidge's (Ollie) performance. As for Price, watching this other day made me scratch my head and wonder how such a good actor could play in so many cheesy films?
Whatever, those two along with Patricia Cutts (the tramp wife), Judith Evelyn (Ollie's deaf-mute wife), Darryl Hickman and Pamela Lincoln all did a pretty nice job, although Price's acting talents stand out among the cast.
It also would have fun to see this in the theater 50 years ago when they rigged the seats to tingle during certain scenes! That really happened! Director William Castle really tried everything to get the audience. He even stopped the film and asked the audience to scream! It must have been hilarious. You have to give it to the man for his effort to promote his "horror" films.
The DVD looks good. This is a nice transfer, which is important with all the lights and shadows. You can see some alternate scenes, too, which are interesting.
Movie Review: William Castle is at it again - this time with "Percepto!"
Summary: 4 Stars
I enjoy hearing about the gimmicks William Castle used in his horror films. For "The Tingler" every few seats in the theater were rigged to vibrate at certain times so that its unlucky occupent would feel a tingling sensation and think they were being attacked by The Tingler! (This was called Percepto.) There's also one scene with a lot of bright-red blood (the rest of the picture is in black and white). And near the end of the movie "The Tingler" finally attacks YOU - the audience! - and you must listen to Vincent Price's instructions or you'll never be rid of it!The DVD includes a nice little 15-minute or so behind-the-scenes look at the movie, featuring Darryl Hickman (Dave). His recollections of William Castle and the plastic Tingler creature used in the movie are especially funny. There's also the drive-in version of the narration in the scene where you are attacked by The Tingler. And the trailer is fun to watch.
If you like this, go out and get "13 Ghosts" and "House on Haunted Hill" - and pray that they don't try to remake any more of these movies!