#63: HARVEY, Herk: Carnival Of Souls (1962)

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HARVEY, Herk (United States)
Carnival Of Souls [1962]
Spine #63
DVD


Herk Harvey's macabre masterpiece gained a cult following through late night television and has been bootlegged for years. Made by industrial filmmakers on a modest budget, Carnival of Souls was intended to have the "look of a Bergman" and "feel of a Cocteau," and succeeds with its strikingly used locations and spooky organ score. Mary Henry (Candace Hilligoss) survives a drag race in a rural Kansas town, then takes a job as a church organist in Salt Lake City. En route, she becomes haunted by a bizarre apparation that compels her to an abandoned lakeside pavilion. Criterion is proud to present the ultimate special edition of this eerily effective B movie classic that continues to inspire filmmakers today.

Original version: 78 minutes
Director's cut: 83 minutes
Black & White
Monaural
1:33:1 aspect ratio
Criterion Release 2000

Director/Writers


Written by John Clifford.
Herk Harvey was 38 when he directed Carnival of Souls.

The Film

Film Rating (0-60):

60

The Extras

The Booklet

Eight-page wraparound featuring an essay by Bruce Cawin.

Commentary

Selected audio commentary by screenwriter Clifford and late director Harvey.

The Movie That Wouldn’t Die! The Story of Carnival of Souls

A documentary on the 1989 reunion of the cast and crew.

Excerpts

From films made by the Centron Corporation, an industrial film company based in Lawrence, Kansas that employed Harvey and Clifford for over 30 years.

Rare outtakes

More than 45 minutes, accompanied by Gene Moore’s organ score.

Essay

On the history of Centron from Ken Smith’s Mental Hygiene.

Printed interviews

With Harvey, Clifford, and star Hilligoss, illustrated with vintage photos and memorabilia.

Illustrated history

Of the Saltair resort in Salt Lake City.
The Carnival Tour

A video update on the film’s locations.
Theatrical trailer

Extras Rating (0-40):

39

60 + 39 =

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