The Red Circle

By Ryan Brlecic

B Movie: A low-budget commercial motion picture conceived neither as an arthouse film nor as pornography. In its original usage, during the so-called Golden Age of Hollywood, the term more precisely identified a film intended for distribution as the less-publicized, bottom half of a double feature. [excerpt from Wikipedia]

House on  Haunted Hill – 1959

This 1959 B/W horror film set the pace for B movies of its day. The filmmaker, or more importantly, carnival barker/pioneer of the low-budget gimmick picture knew how to get the most out of his audience. This was the second of five collaborations William Castle had with screen writer Robb White. It is also a close tie with Castle/White’s next picture The Tingler as the favorite of the quintet (both equally graced with Vincent Price, in a two picture deal).

You cannot deny the ominous floating head of Vincent Price as he invites you to the house all the while super-imposed amidst the arriving guests. At its heart everyone loves a good haunted mystery and with a very low budget Castle delivers every thrill. Even going so far as to unleash “Emergo” gimmick upon unsuspecting audiences in theatres across America. So take in Fredrick Loren’s haunted house party, $10,000 if you survive the night — and ignore Mr. Pritchard’s warnings. It’s only a party. Castle’s success with this low-budget horror film inspired another filmmaker of the time to try his own hand at low-budget film-making. One year later, Psycho was released.

House on Haunted Hill – 1999

40 years later plus inflation ($1,000,000 to survive the night) and another director with the first name William gets you a great “B-Make”. Teaming with most of the crew left over from the canceled HBO series “Tales of the Crypt,” and expressing an interest to make quality low budget horror films, producer Joel Silver started Dark Castle; which itself is lovingly took its name Mr. William Castle. Their first project was to remake House on Haunted Hill.

Packed with “pretty” actor’s and a Chris Kattan performance that he has yet to match, the film managed to deliever on the thrills. The filmmakers and actors all add to this update. In the case of Geoffery Rush’s demand to play his role of Steven Price as John Waters being honored, it showed an understanding that they knew they were in a modern B Movie. This is not to sell the film short however; it is still the highpoint of the Dark Castle horror films, and it delivered in its scares. This film can be polarizing, especially to those who cherish the original. However, to step back and see just how much the two truly compliment each other and the times they were made in, you begin to see how fun horror can be. And in that lives the spirit of William Castle.

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