William Castle Week

When I used to frequent the IMDb Horror Board in the early 2000s, Mr. Sardonicus (1961) surprised me by being mentioned by several of my peers as William Castle's best film. Over the last few years, this has risen up my own Castle favorites list, currently sitting at #3. Only my favorite (and I think it is his masterwork), "Homicidal" (1961), and "The Tingler" (1959). Yes, "House on Haunted Hill" (1959) is dear to me, but I just think Mr. Sardonicus is a better film and Rolfe's hideous visage is fantastically grotesque.

Why I dig the film,..

✓ Castle introducing the film "in 1880 London"

✓ a slight feeling of Phantom of the Opera as Rolfe wears a featureless mask

✓ foggy and dead environs around Rolfe's estate, with the leafless skeletal trees and cursed soil yielding nothing

✓ Castle addressing the audience regarding Sardonicus' punishment card

✓ psychosomatic science and mental mindfuck torture causing face paralyses and frozen freak smile

✓ torture by leaches!!! Poor maid; Homolka loves her suffering, too!

✓ Homolka stuffing his face with food all over the master's table while Rolfe must watch, unable to open his mouth

✓ Rolfe selecting ladies so he can use them as guinea pigs

✓ graverobbing pops for lottery ticket back story

Updated rating: ****/*****