Billy Boy had tricks up his sleeves

"Dark Castle Entertainment" is not just any name arbitrarily stamped onto a film production company. The founding partners strategically chose this moniker to honor eccentric horror filmmaker, William Castle. Dark Castle revamped two of his heart-palpitating flicks, "House on Haunted Hill'" and "13 Ghosts" (re-spelled to "Thir13en Ghosts"), to contemporary pieces of horror. Ghoulish in expression and ominous in stature, Castle even looked like someone who was born to ingeniously direct scary movies. By today's standards, the special effects he deploys throughout his thrillers look rough-hewn, if not a bit "film school, 101." But back in the 50s and 60s, his peers and audiences considered such tricks of the trade as downright clever and convincingly frightful. Take, for example, the witch-faced housemaid "gliding" across the floor in "House on Haunted Hill," scaring the wits out of poor Nora Manning, the film's most naive character. Castle's intent is to give the appearance that the housemaid is floating in air. But her movements seem clunky and forced. A moviegoer of modern times would be inclined to speculate that the housemaid "glides" across the floor through the aid of a cooperative dolly. Nowadays, you can't help but view such a ploy as pure, campy fun, done Castle's way.

Horror movie buffs will smugly inform you that Castle's tricks took place live in the movie theaters, too. He became infamously known for incorporating gimmicks during the movie watching experience to beef up the terror factor and rev up audience participation. His novelty "tinglers" were like birthday party games for the creepy set. Compared to his film rivals, Castle was driven by quirky creativity and shock value. Over time, these movie shenanigans punctured the film budgets, prompting Castle to cut back on delivering these gimmicks per his financial backers. In "Strait Jacket", he dreamed up cost-effective tactics to keep the horrific thrills alive without sacrificing his funds: he sent star Joan Crawford on a promotional tour to theaters and carved out cardboard axes as favors to audiences. Below is a sampling of Castle's brilliant gimmicks, as directly lifted from Wikipedia. For a complete list, visit the William Castle page:

• The Tingler (1959): Filmed in "Percepto". In the film, a docile creature that lives in the spinal cord is activated by fright, and can only be destroyed by screaming. In the film's finale one of the creatures removed from the spine of a mute woman killed by it when she was unable to scream is let loose in a movie theatre. Some seats in theatres showing the Tingler were equipped with military surplus air-plane wing de-icers (consisting of vibrating motors) purchased by Castle, attached to the underside of the seats. When the Tingler in the film attacked the audience the buzzers were activated as a voice encouraged the real audience to "Scream - scream for your lives." Articles regarding this often incorrectly state the seats in the theatre were wired to give electrical jolts.
• 13 Ghosts (1960): Filmed in "Illusion-O". A hand held ghost viewer/remover with strips of red and blue cellophane was given out to use during certain segments of the film. By looking through either the red or blue cellophane the audience was able to either see or remove the ghosts if they were too frightening.
• Mr. Sardonicus (1961): In this gothic tale set in 1880 London a baron's face is frozen into a permanent grotesque hideous smile after digging up his father's grave to retrieve a lottery ticket left in the pocket of his father's jacket. The audiences were allowed to vote in a "punishment poll" during the climax of the film - Castle himself appears on screen to explain to the audience their options. Each member of the audience was given a card with a glow in the dark thumb they could hold either up or down to decide if Mr. Sardonicus would be cured or die during the end of the film. Supposedly, no audience ever offered mercy so the alternate ending was never screened.

Today, studios have interactive web sites and social media to serve as economical conduits in executing frightful tricks and priming would-be audiences for a gut-wrenching showdown. I shudder to think what kind of bone-chilling antics Castle would post on Facebook.

Photo source: The 500 Club

Agnes casts her spell

The mass of fiery red hair...eyes painted a campy blue...billowy parfait-colored dresses...You may automatically associate Agnes Moorehead with the 1960s mischievous comedy, "Bewitched," in which she portrayed the acid-tongued mother-in-law to Samantha's blubbering husband Darrin, but this seasoned actress can conjure up more than just witchcraft on the small screen. With her trademark smoldering gaze and sky-high cheekbones, this unconventional beauty has played every kind of character imaginable ranging from a haughty mystery writer in "The Bat," to her Oscar-nominated performance as a scraggly housekeeper in "Hush, Hush, Sweet Charlotte." Even Moorehead's booming voice and unadulterated bravado landed her the role of a larger-than-life evangelist in "What's the Matter With Helen?," heard only through a spiritual radio show played during the movie. 

Thus far, I'm most enamored by Moorehead's knockabout spin as the stealthy Madge Rapf in the 1947 film noir, "Dark Passage." This stylish drama pairs legendary Hollywood couple Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall as a convicted killer on the lam and the heroine who stows him away in her home while naturally falling for his je ne sais quoi.  Moorehead's Madge is the best friend to Bacall's Irene and the former lover to Bogart's Vincent. To ward off suspicions from passersby and the police, Vincent undergoes plastic surgery to alter his face.  If you don't mind discovering the movie's "big reveal," witness this bone-chilling scene when Vincent drops into Madge's apartment to surprise her with his minty-new mug. Moorehead's drawn-out diction and dramatic facial expressions bring an authentic realism to the character's unsavory ways. I love how Madge's disposition drastically jumps from comfortably coquettish to nervously fearful in just a matter of minutes. Notice how her neck jerks the second Vincent hints around to his true identity. Now listen to her stammer and watch her recoil as she fruitlessly defends herself. The once stalwart woman turns into a vulnerable soul. And don't panic or recoil yourself: this particular clip involves some "Bewitched" antics at the end thanks to modern technology.

When the Loew's Jersey screened this movie, the host asked the audience afterwards if they thought Madge hurled herself off of the balcony intentionally or if she accidentally fell toward her demise. The moviegoers were split in their assessment.  I concluded that she adored herself too much to commit suicide. You'll have to see “Dark Passage” in full to grasp the concept of this calculating narcassist  and the brilliant way the movie tucks her into the story.  Incidentally,  the taffeta dress becomes this character.  The bold stripes and colossal hoop represent her proud and demanding personality. Even her taut bun embodies a lethal sharpness. Thank you, Agnes, for living out a character we love to loathe!

Rock this frock

I'm simply dying to slither my way into this snazzy little number named Leighton, designed by the fashion forward "House of J.Crew." The snug bustier and contrasting peplum overlay evoke the 1950s, when style was both sophisticated and playful. A cocktail dress such as this could be seen plastered on the body of sultry Marilyn Monroe or fitted upon girl-next-door Debbie Reynolds. Many women of today are fixated upon vintage fashion, often watching black and white films to assess starlets' styles then scouring consignment shops for similar get-ups. A mimicked frock such as this is still worth the purchase: it's made of a quality blend of cotton and silk faille, thereby producing a material with a shiny look and crisp feel. The skirt peeking from below is of a fitted pencil style to make we gals feel extra vixenous. So if you're in a tres vintage mood, make a splash at your next wedding event or dinner party in the Leighton. Adorn your neck with a classic pearl necklace, slip on a pair of kitten heels and clasp your hand around a kiss-locked clutch to complete your 1950s look. Your other hand will be holding an Old Fashioned. Photo source: J.Crew

-Dani 

Balling our eyes out over this beauty

Also snatched up at SJS's auction in Manns Choice, PA, was this stunner of a gumball machine created by Parkway Machine Corp. in Baltimore. Our parting dollars? 35 clams as they'd say in the olden days. We're not sure how much it's valued for or what decade this sweet contraption hails from, but despite its stacked years, it's practically in mint condition. The knockout red paint itself is something to marvel over with its smooth and lustrous surface that's barely seen a scratch. A thick cursive type is engraved upon the heavy-duty glass. Inside, are the manly mechanisms that get this baby churning. Our educated guess is that it welcomes a coin of any price since we don't detect any numbers or cent signs etched anywhere on the machine. We love the "churck, churck, churck" sound it releases when we turn the key. It's a nostalgic and soothing sound. I wonder what we should fill this machine with? Traditional gumballs? Jelly beans? Mike and Ikes? Maybe unconventional wasabi peas?

-Matt and Dani

Getting back on track

After a three-month winter lull, Retro Confidential has vowed to get back on track with posting our vintage objects of affection and discussing all things throwback. How fitting that we'd like to re-enter the spotlight so to speak by introducing this eye-popping wind-up roller coaster from circa 1940s. A whimsical toy like this set us back about $100 at SJS's auction in Manns Choice, PA. The pertinent cars and belt may be missing from the tracks, but the vibrant colors and charming illustrations are enough to keep our attention. Plus, significant elements like the key and bell are kept intact (notice the image of the creepy clownish face below, grinning from ear to ear.) Created by an American toy manufacturer called J. Chein and Company, this amusement park fixture is trimmed with all the essential vendors and attractions: a side show, hot dog stand, shooting gallery, salt water taffy shop and "play baby doll" game. We'd also love to hone in on the faux cobblestones painted on the bottom. Though it's slightly tarnished, this roller coaster still looks pretty slick. If it came equipped with the cars and belt, this miniature attraction fetches a value of $350. Enjoy the ride!

-Matt and Dani