Carnival Of Souls

Occasionally a feature film emerges from the midwest, although this is the first ever out of Lawrence, Kans, where a group of commercial film pros veered off into a try at producing theatrical entertainment.

There isn't very much here to sustain interest.

The mesmerising power of the carnival and dance-hall sequences far outweighs the corniness of the awkward intimate scenes.

Carnival of Souls works well enough as chill-up-the-spine cinema.

It depends on crisp black-and-white photography, atmosphere and surprisingly effective acting.

The workmanlike approach only serves to highlight its spectral qualities. It's like a kitchen sink version of 'The Shining.'

One of those unique horror movies where the low budget, gritty footage and rough performances combine to create not only an unsettling atmosphere of dread but also a study of existential angst in the face of unimaginable horror.

What is amazing about the film CARNIVAL OF SOULS is that the cheap budget works so much in its favor. There is little unreal to get between the actors and the viewer.

There is a nightmare quality to its best scenes, but the film is essentially a great half-hour Twilight Zone padded out to feature length.

Harvey leaves enough questions unanswered in this twilight zone to ensure that Carnival Of Souls enjoys a haunting afterlife in the viewer's mind.

A haunting ghost story.

This is one of the most original and unsettling horror movies to come out of America during its B-movie saturated, drive-in friendly period.