Starring Ronald Lewis, Audrey Dalton, Guy Rolfe, Oscar Homolka, Vladimir Sokoloff
Directed by William Castle
(actor & director credits courtesy IMDB.com)
A doctor is invited by his former love to visit the castle of her husband Baron Sardonicus, in order to treat the Baron's affliction, that keeps his face hidden behind an expressionless mask.
William Castle's film adaptation of the horror tale by Ray Russell is probably best known for the gimmick Castle employed in his advertising, and in the film itself, encouraging audiences to vote for punishment of Sardonicus via thumbs-up, thumbs-down cards provided in the theaters. It was also a phony gimmick as only one ending truly exists, according to most film historians. However, its period setting and distinguished cast make the film itself worthwhile. My friend Dan Day Jr. has pointed out that this was likely Castle's attempt to emulate the British horror popularized by the Hammer studio, ironic since Hammer and Castle would soon team up for the production of The Old Dark House a short time later. I enjoy the film quite a bit, although one senses we don't get to quite see all the depravities committed by Sardonicus in Russell's original story. Lewis is fine as the doctor, as is Rolfe as Sardonicus, and Dalton is a lovely damsel with a lot to play off in her dialogue, but I really appreciated the colorful characters added by Homolka and Sokoloff, who both added an old-world feel to the film that fit in well with the sets and art direction.
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