| Macabre | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | William Castle |
| Produced by | William Castle |
| Written by | Robb White Theo Durrant (novel) |
| Starring | William Prince Jim Backus Christine White Jacqueline Scott Susan Morrow |
| Music by | Les Baxter |
| Cinematography | Carl E. Guthrie |
| Editing by | John F. Schreyer |
| Distributed by | Allied Artists |
| Release date(s) | October 1958 |
| Running time | 72 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $90,000 (estimated) |
| Box office | $5,000,000 (USA) ( January 1970) (sub-total) |
Macabre is a 1958 thriller film directed by William Castle, written by Robb White, and starring William Prince, Jim Backus, Christine White, Jacqueline Scott, and Susan Morrow. It is considered Castle's first foray into using the promotional gimmicks that later made him famous.[1] Some critics call this a suspense film, rather than a horror film, having established a "racing against time" plot-line.[2]
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A doctor's daughter has been kidnapped by a maniac and buried alive. The doctor must race against the clock to find and rescue her before her air runs out and she suffocates. Everything leads up to a surprise ending.
Castle took the bold step to mortgage his house to be able to make the thriller independently.[1] Filming took place from August 15, 1958 to August 23, 1958.
Macabre is considered Castle's first foray into using the promotional gimmicks that later made him famous.[1] A certificate for a $1,000 life insurance policy from Lloyd's of London was given to each customer in case he/she should die of fright during the film.[1][3][4] Showings also had ushers dressed in surgical garb with ambulances outside theater.
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