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Tuesday, April 23, 2013

Movie Review Monday: Macabre (1958)

Macabre (1958)

I love vintage scary movies!  I can't stand scary movies made today since I have yet to see one that is about the story, as opposed to a gross back story and the most disgusting ways in which to kill people.  I much prefer the likes of Val Lewton and William Castle.  So after watching a fascinating film about William Castle, I was excited to see Macabre was on after it.


Macabre (Source)

After the film began, I realized that I had seen part of it before and realized why I did not remember the end. The premise was quite disturbing to me, and I am sure I turned it off the previous time I had viewed it.  Well, this time I sat through the entire thing.


Macabre (Source)

The premise is basically this:  A doctor's child has been kidnapped and buried alive and he has only a few hours before she suffocates.  It is so difficult for me to watch things involving children in pain since I spent my childhood dealing with physical pain (my disabilities) and to see the suffering of the innocent is just sad.  My anxiety was at a 10+ the whole time.  I was able to appreciate the film after I knew the ending (I won't spoil it for you).  


Macabre (Source)

The actors in the film were wonderful.  They played it just right.  The doctor, played by William Price, was perfect in the role.  He played to role seriously, so the film was suspenseful, as opposed to really cheesy, like it could have been from the gimmicks Castle employed like offering life insurance to anyone dying of fright while viewing the film.  I also was thrilled to see one of my favorite actors, Jim Backus, as the police chief.  I'm willing to see anything with him in it.




One of my favorite parts of the film was actually the ending credits.  It's macabre, in a good way.  It's so fun, and definitely summarizes the film if you missed anything.  I would definitely say "see it", but know the premise definitely is anxiety inducing.

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