Carnival of Souls (aka Corridors
of Evil) is
Dark Psychological Horror
Carnival of Souls makes the
jump from Sunday afternoon favorite to cult classic. This horror movie
from the 60s is experiencing a bit of a resurgence, and with good
reason.
Release: 1962 Directed by: Herk Harvey Written by: John Clifford and Herk Harvey
Starring:
Candace Hilligoss as Mary Henry Frances Feist as Mrs. Thomas, Landlady Sidney Berger as John Linden Art Ellison as Minister Stan Levitt as Dr. Samuels
So many classic horror movies, even many of those that
achieved popularity first through a cult following
rather than mass
acceptance, are directed by names that rise to notoriety over time for
their skill and library of horror creations. And then there’s
Carnival of Souls (aka Corridors of Evil,
1962). Herk Harvey, the director of Carnival of Souls
is known for short documentaries (Leo Beuerman, 1969,
Signals: Read 'Em or Weep, 1981) and for directing
short films that teach life-lessons to growing teens (The
Gossip, 1955, The Snob, 1958, Exchanging
Greetings and Introductions, 1960). Not exactly the directing
career one expects from the creator of psychological horror as intense
as Carnival of Souls.
Before
the beginning credits roll the story jumps right in as three
young women (Sharon Scoville, Mary Ann Harris and Candice Hilligoss) are
convinced to participate in a drag race by two boys in the car stopped
next to them at a traffic light. The cars speed along a dirt road and
come upon a bridge, and suddenly the car carrying the three women
bursts through the guard rail and sinks to the bottom
of the raging
river below.
Hours later, one of the women, Mary (Hilligoss), emerges from the river
and walks across the muddy bank, seemingly unharmed.
When asked how she
managed to escape the crash she just walks on in silence.
Three days later Mary, who is a professional organist, accepts a job in
Utah playing organ for a small church. As she is leaving her hometown
she proclaims that she will never return.
During the drive to Utah Mary has visions of a strange and disfigured
man (played by Director Herk Harvey himself) staring at her through her car’s windshield
that cause
her to run off the road. She is able to drive her damaged car out of
the ditch and on to the Utah boarding house that will be her new home.
The visions, however, continue. Everywhere she looks the strange man is
there, yet nobody can see him but her. And what about
that carnival
building she passed on her way into town, and why does she feel so
drawn to it?
Carnival of
Souls is a psychological horror/thriller
that uses irony and isolation to craft a tale of a
woman slowly losing
her mind. Mary feels separate from other people, yet her actions and
behavior seem to purposely drive a wedge between her and anyone that
tries to get close. Imagery and symbolism are used heavily by director
Herk Harvey in an attempt to convey more to the viewer than what is
happening on the screen.
The primary warning to anyone considering watching Carnival
of Souls for the first time is one of expectation. Carnival
of Souls has elevated to cult status among many, and even
classic horror status to some. With this status comes an expectation of
a cinematic masterpiece that may not be apparent
upon an initial
viewing.
The
effects are minimal, the gore is non-existent and the
imagery usage can feel at times like the storyline is less than
coherent.
Carnival of Souls is one of those
movies that you
happen across by accident on a lazy Sunday afternoon that is so
surprisingly good and engaging that you remember it
fondly for the rest
of your life. When you watch Carnival of Souls try
and get into that mindset, and you will really be in for a
treat.
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or Comments about Carnival of Souls?
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Hours later, one of the women, Mary (Hilligoss), emerges from the river
and walks across the muddy bank, seemingly unharmed.
When asked how she
managed to escape the crash she just walks on in silence.
yet nobody can see him but her. And what about
that carnival
building she passed on her way into town, and why does she feel so
drawn to it?
Carnival of Souls is one of those
movies that you
happen across by accident on a lazy Sunday afternoon that is so
surprisingly good and engaging that you remember it
fondly for the rest
of your life. When you watch Carnival of Souls try
and get into that mindset, and you will really be in for a
treat.
Blink
Del.icio.us
Digg
Furl
Google
Simpy
Spurl
Technorati
Y!
MyWeb