X-Nico

4 unusual facts about William Castle


Movie gimmick

Horror film director William Castle had a particular reputation for gimmicks, being termed 'King of the Gimmicks' by James Waters.

Ranald Graham

In 1974 Graham wrote the screenplay for the horror film Shanks, directed by "Hollywood B-movie veteran" William Castle and starring Marcel Marceau.

Ray Russell

His most famous short fiction is "Sardonicus", which appeared in the January 1961 issue of Playboy magazine, and was subsequently adapted by Russell into a screenplay for William Castle's film version, titled Mr. Sardonicus.

William Castle

He came up with the idea to give every customer a certificate for a $1,000 life insurance policy from Lloyd's of London in case they should die of fright during the film.


13 Frightened Girls

13 Frightened Girls (also known as The Candy Web) is a 1963 Cold War spy film directed and produced by William Castle.

Risus sardonicus

A case of risus sardonicus features in the short story "Sardonicus" by Ray Russell, later used as the basis of the 1961 William Castle movie Mr. Sardonicus.


see also