Movie Released: 1958 in b/w | DVD Release Date: January 21,2003
Newlyweds Jenni (Peggy Webber) and Eric (John Hudson) move to Eric’s country home where Jenni learns of the tragic demise of her new husband’s first wife. Jenni starts hearing screaming and sees a skull around her home and property. She comes to the conclusion that her husband’s late wife is keeping an eye on the estate and wishes his new wife harm. Is Jenni going crazy or is there more going on than she could have ever imagined?
[easyazon_link identifier=”B000087F1Z” locale=”US” nw=”y” nf=”y” tag=”rabidreaders-20″]Screaming Skull[/easyazon_link] released in 1958, was directed by Alex Nichol. The movie starred John Hudson, Peggy Webber, Russ Conway and Alex Nichol.
[easyazon_link identifier=”B000087F1Z” locale=”US” nw=”y” nf=”y” tag=”rabidreaders-20″]Screaming Skull[/easyazon_link] is not a subtle movie. Long before the twists are revealed, astute viewers will have a pretty good idea of what it going on. This foresight comes with modern viewing and its clear how terrifying this well-acted piece likely was in its day. Low budget and simply made, there are few missed opportunities in building the tension and by the end of the film, viewers are on the edge of their seat wondering if any of the characters will come out alive…. Or the viewers are the overdub at the start of the film promising a free casket to anyone that might die of fright while viewing [easyazon_link identifier=”B000087F1Z” locale=”US” nw=”y” nf=”y” tag=”rabidreaders-20″]Screaming Skull[/easyazon_link].
Alex Nichol made his directorial debut and played the role of Mickey, the developmentally disabled gardener. While as no way the lead, Mickey is the most interesting character in the movie. Sporting a Bieberesque haircut (perhaps a sign of a man too grief stricken to care about appearance?), Mickey’s tie to the house is his connection with Eric’s first wife, Marion. When things start to happen to Jenni, Eric suggests that Mickey’s devotion to Marion might be influencing his actions toward the new lady of the house. Mickey does, in fact, seem to have his finger on the pulse of what’s happening on the estate. Nichol’s acting in the role is nothing short of brilliant.
John Hudson and Peggy Webber both are quite creditable in their roles. Webber plays the neurotic newlywed to perfection. Webber discovered that she was pregnant during production, so scenes in which she might have had to take falls, were rewritten (source: Wikipedia). In actual fact, the more submissive Jenni made for an actress playing a woman who thinks she’s going insane with conviction. She seemed always to ask, “Is this really happening?” Each actor was paid $1,000 for their services and offered a piece of the back-end. While not critically well received, with time [easyazon_link identifier=”B000087F1Z” locale=”US” nw=”y” nf=”y” tag=”rabidreaders-20″]Screaming Skull[/easyazon_link] has become a cult classic.
There are some continuity issues in the movie; but for the most part, it is perfect 50s campy fun. I don’t think anyone would truly die of fright, but to say that there aren’t scary moments in the film would be misleading. If I were having friends over for a fun movie night, [easyazon_link identifier=”B000087F1Z” locale=”US” nw=”y” nf=”y” tag=”rabidreaders-20″]Screaming Skull[/easyazon_link] might even make the cue.
[easyazon_link identifier=”B000087F1Z” locale=”US” nw=”y” nf=”y” tag=”rabidreaders-20″]Screaming Skull[/easyazon_link] is a fun look at classic psychological horror.Screaming Skull is available as a DVD and Amazon Instant Video:
Amazon U.S. • Amazon U.K. • Amazon Canada
| Title | Screaming Skull |
|---|---|
| Director | Alex Nicol |
| Actors | Russ Conway, William Hudson, John Hudson, Toni Johnson, David McCallum |
| Length | 1 hours and 8 minutes |
| Rating | not rated |
| DVD Release | January 21, 2003 |