Carnival of Souls

About Carnival of Souls

"Carnival of Souls" is a 1962 American independent horror film directed and produced by Herk Harvey, and written by John Clifford from a story by Harvey. The film is about Mary Henry, a young woman who has a traumatic car accident that results in eerie and haunting aftermath. Mary's strange journey takes her to a deserted carnival, which further pushes her to the edge of reality and into the unknown.

Making/ Production

The film was shot in Lawrence, Kansas and Salt Lake City, Utah. It took only three weeks to film, with most of the footage shot at the Saltair pavilion outside Salt Lake City. The budget was only $33,000 and the film was released by Herts-Lion International Corp.

Actors

• Candace Hilligoss as Mary Henry - Hilligoss' striking performance as the traumatized young woman sets the unique and eerie tone for the movie.
• Frances Feist as Mrs. Thomas - Feist played the boarding house proprietor with a mysterious charm which adds to the film's enigmatic allure.
• Sidney Berger as John Linden - Berger's character is meant to provide a slice of reality and normalcy in Mary's surreal world, a task Berger successfully pulls off.

Trivia/ Interesting Facts

• The movie was shot in just three weeks.
• The film was largely ignored upon release but gained a cult following through late night television and has been influential to a range of directors and artists.
• Director Herk Harvey was inspired to make the film after passing the abandoned Saltair pavilion while on vacation.

Awards

Despite its cult classic status, "Carnival of Souls" did not win any awards at the time of its release. It has since been recognized for its significance within the horror genre.

Quotes

• "The only person you belong to is yourself."
• "It's funny... the world is so different in the daylight. But in the dark, your fantasies get so out of hand."
• "We're all so frightened by time, the way it moves on and the way things disappear."

Music, Soundtrack

• The film features a chilling and memorable organ score by composer Gene Moore. The music reinforces the film's haunting vibe and is a key component to its eerie atmosphere.
• The soundtrack perfectly captures the film's quirky, B-movie spirit, and has since become synonymous with the film itself.