#18 - The Tingler (1959)

The Tingler (1959)

(dir. William Castle)

Vincent Price plays a scientist who is researching the effects of fear. He discovers a creature that grows on people's spines when they are afraid, and names it the "Tingler" after the tingling sensation it creates. If allowed to grow to full size it can kill the person, but fortunately there is a way to release your fear - by screaming as loud as you can! This dubious science exists only to serve the film's gimmick, in which buzzers placed on random seats in the theater would go off to scare moviegoers during key scenes in the film. I imagine this was fun back in the '50s, but without the gimmick this film doesn't have a lot going for it.

Price is fun, as he always is, but he's working with a lame script and stupid story. The ending is especially bad - there are a couple of scenes where the "lights" go off (the screen goes black) and Price warns the audience about the Tingler, and then the story just sort of peters out. There is a side plot involving the theater owner and his deaf/mute wife, but that ends in a nonsensical way too.

Director William Castle was known for this sort of gimmick, and while this one is fun to read about it doesn't make for a very interesting home viewing experience. This may be worth watching for fans of classic horror films, but more for the novelty than because it is any good. Pretty skippable.