Carnival of Souls: A Classic Review

This post was written by Cin-Ob Supreme BOB, from Bob-O-Rama.

One of the creepiest movies I have ever seen is the 1962 film Carnival of Souls. It stars Candace Hilligoss as Mary Henry and was produced and directed by Herk Harvey. It wasn't very popular when it first came out, but has since gained cult status.

Carnival of Souls has a Bergman feel to it. The music is uber-creepy and very effective. The zombies, lost souls, or whatever the hell they are, are nightmarish and more than likely an inspiration for the zombies in George Romero's Night of the Living Dead.

Carnival of Souls is the story of a spiritual marginal. It follows Mary as she wavers between the land of the living and the land of the dead. She is haunted by a mysterious 'ghoul' (portrayed perfectly by the film's director, Herk Harvey), who eventually claims her soul.

It you haven't seen Carnival of Souls, I would definitely recommend it. It is creepy, atmospheric, and best watched at night with all of the lights out. The movie is in public domain and can be found on IMDB, Prelinger Archives, or YouTube.