Rating: 
Summary: A bargain priced surprise of a DVD
Review: This DVD of Carnival of Souls and Horror Hotel features fully restored and remastered prints from the best sources that exist in the US, in the case of Carnival of Souls, the best print that exists, period making this a great bargain priced alternative to the Carnival of Souls Criterion Collection DVD. In the case of Horror Hotel, it was originally released in the UK as "The City of The Dead" and the VCI DVD uses the UK print, but for those that just want to see a version of the movie, such as myself, in excellent picture quality, this will definitely suffice, but purists shold get the VCI DVD. The interactive menu is very gaudy looking and only has 2 scenes in the selection menu per movie, but you can go chapter browsing through the DVD remote anyway for both movies, plus there are bios of the cast, etc. of both movies plus a promo for other Diamond Entertainment DVDs. Highly recommended for those Carnival of Souls and Horror Hotel fans on a tight budget but want quality.
Rating: 
Summary: Carnival of Souls: Criterion Collection
Review: I am reviewing this item not for the feature (as I already reviewed this excellent film a while back), I am reviewing the Criterion Special Edition DVD, which is a two-disc set packed and
loaded with tones of special features. The first disc contains the original theatrical version which director Herk Harvey edited some sequences and scenes out. The first disc also contains a really neat look back on the film in a 1989 documentary "The Movie That Wouldn't Die". There is also a very neat extra of 45 minutes of rare outtakes seen for the first time, and accompanied by the eerie organ music of Gene Moore. Some rare songs not heard in the original movie are here for your scary enjoyment. There is also a theatrical trailer feature.
A very interesting look back on the locations for Carnival of Souls is included, and it talks about the history of the Saltair Resort, which has a very magnificent history and was used for the carnival location, this is an illustrated history. On the second disc, there is a director's cut of the film, including some scenes not even shown on the VHS "director's cut" editions. One scene that is most notably absent from the original
is the scene where the priest talks to the church carpenter about how strange Mary Henry (Candace Hilligoss) is. This disc also contains a selected audio commentary by screenwriter John Clifford and the late Herk Harvey. Some excerpts of films made by the Centron Corporation. As well as an essay on the history of Centron. Some printed interviews with film illustrations are featured here as well. This DVD-set is the best DVD-set I've ever seen. The image quality of the black and white transfer is unbelievably clear, and is the best image transfer I've ever seen. The special features are very cool, and believe it or not, the outtakes featured here are remastered in picture quality as well, along with the music score. I was blown away with this DVD, and I'm sure you will be too. It is one of the best treatments to a cult classic every put on screen. I am so pleased with this DVD-set I could just burst. I thank the Criterion people for making this a dream come true :)
Rating:
Summary: I love you church organist
Review: Carnival of Souls aka "Corridors of Evil", is a crowning jewel in American Cinema. Despite the low budget and poor film quality, this 1962 masterpiece stands as a cult more than 40 years after it's release. Candice Hilligoss' fine performance will overwhelm you as she portrays a character caught in a purgatory between life and death. Her beauty alone will strike the viewer in a way few actresses can. Her physical acting, facial gestures, and line delivery will leave you wondering why this woman did not become a household name like Marilyn Monroe or Raquel Welch. The story is as simple as it is complex. A woman is an innocent passenger in a car that gets into a drag race with some teenage thugs. The result is her car going over a bridge into a fast running, sandy river. As she crawls out of the wreckage covered in mud, the viewer thinks she has survived, but has she? Ms. Hilligoss' character is a musician, an organist to be exact who takes a job as a church organist in Salt Lake City, Utah. As she begins her journey she is terrified of images of a phantom of sorts who seems to be seeking her out. Anyone who has driven for an average of twelve hours straight can tell you that driving can take its toll, and the mind can play tricks on a sleepy driver. However, after she checks into her room, she finds the same phantom lurking in the window, then in the hallway. Who is this creature, what does he want, where is he from? The main point of the film is not horror, but human nature. Are we all alone in this world? Is everyone an island unto themselves. The lesson is thrown upon our character by a minister, a psychologist, and a would be male suitor. They all try to help her in their own way (except the suitor who is only interested in her for a chance to have sex). But our character waves a hand at them all, convinced that she can do it her own way. She is an independent woman who needs no man or companionship; a view that may have gone against society's thinking in 1962. The male suitor (or 'just your normal guy' as he likes to call himself) is an obnoxious oaf to say the least. His headstrong pursuit of her is only his own selfish desire to have her. He's not an alcoholic he claims, yet he drinks at dawn. He quit college because he doesn't like to learn. This is not an ideal resume for a long term relationship for her or any other woman. When she is truly frightened by the visiting spectre, and she reaches out to him as a last resort for help, he runs. Not wanting to get involved, he was only interested in her for her body and his own sexual desire. Yet another lesson in this film for all the young ladies who care to pay attention. As the story goes on Candace's soul seems to deteriorate. She slips in and out of reality and a strange sort of parallel world. This dimension looks the same as real life, but she cannot be seen or heard. The department store dressing room for example, shows how the lost spirit must learn that she is no longer of this world, but now belongs in the spirit world, where yet another companion awaits her. Who is this man that haunts her in visions? We see at the end of the film that they are to be together forever. In the final seen where we see Candace's peek at her after-life. She screams in horror as the ghosts dance eternally as the haunt the carnival. She is finally captured by the ghosts and is spirited away. The police and minister are confused and baffled as her footprints and final body print leads nowhere. The minister gives a knowing look as if he has known all along, but says nothing. The minister must have known there was something wrong with his new organist when he first met and eventually fired her. She had not the soul of a musician, she only had a knowledge for music. She was told this too by the organ builder in the beginning of the film. When she is possessed in the church and her true musician ship comes out as she plays without control, that is her true spirit, but the misinster fires her for 'blasphony'. This film cannot be watched once and dismissed. It deserves to be watched over and over again. It is a timeless movie where something seems new every time you watch it. I applaud you 'Carnival of Souls'. One of the greatest movies ever made.
Rating:
Summary: Beautifully haunting ...
Review: I was hesitant to purchase this film, since I have seen so many flawed, tainted versions of it and been enthralled by the content and yet disappointed by the quality of the presentation. In the end, I found myself trusting the reputation of the Criterion Collection and purchased "Carnival Of Souls", finding it to be one of the finest DVDs I have ever purchased. The price of this DVD is worthy of the film, looking spectacular, crisp, clear, and utterly haunting. I wonder now how Herk Harvey (Director) didn't end up changing the film industry by his methods of film-making. This Criterion Collection version of "Carnival Of Souls" is well worth the price. I can't wait to view it once more!
Rating:
Summary: Carnival of Beauty
Review: When I first saw this movie I was spellbound. It has a remarkable charm that if you cannot enjoy, I pity you. It is rough around the edges for sure, things like out of cue footsteps etc. but these only add to the overall nightmarish feel of the film.
Someone mentioned An Occurence at Owl Creek Bridge and I feel that this film does follow along those lines and is very literary in that sense. Anyone who appreciates cult films, lost works of art and the surreal will love this movie. A+
Rating:
Summary: Holy Crud!
Review: This is one you must watch alone in the dark! It's really scary then. Yes you could watch it with a bunch of buds and make fun of it, but when everyone is gone and nobody is around to hold onto, this movie will move in with it's intense atmosphere and shocking conclusion. Definately a must buy!
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Summary: SALTAIR & SALT LAKE CITY are not in KANSAS anymore
Review: YOUR REVIEWERS NEED TO DO THEIR HOMEWORK. I originally saw this film in SLC about 3 years after it was made. The river may have been in Lawrence, Kansas, but the other scenes are in SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH and at the SALTAIR RESORT on the Great Salt Lake. The scenes at the 'carnival pavillion' are of the SALTAIR ballroom and amusement park. My parents met at a dance there in 1934 when the lake was still high but a small train ride was needed to reach the shore for bathing. Originally you just walked down the stairs to the water. Later the pavillion, still on the original pilings (shown in the next to last scene) was just used as an amusement park. I rode their huge roller coaster in 1956. The lake continued to receed, the roller coaster was blown down twice by high winds and eventually the place was closed. At the time this film was made, my high school friends and I used to sneak in and explore the condemned site. The 'prarie' referred to by one reviewer is in fact the Salt Flats and old beach area. I saw this film when one of several efforts to raise money for restoring SALTAIR was in progress. Arsonists burned the place down eventually. It was a stunninly beautiful place with one of the most beautiful ballrooms of the Victorian Era. We felt it as a huge loss of a city landmark. Other scenes are in downtown SLC: the church where the heroine plays is an Episcopal church where my best friend got married, the water fountain scene is on the grounds of the City and County Building, NOTE the VERY WIDE STREETS! Salt Lake is known for them. Many of the buildings shown still stand like ZCMI dept. store where the dress scene is taken (you can make out the letters set into the pavement as she exits the store) and Ron Wilson (the tire place with the mechanic) had a Chevrolet Dealership too, the Union Station (train scene) stands but I'm not certain about the Grayhound Depot (the spot where I departed from SLC 30 years ago (though I return for several visits a year.)
I loved "Carnival" when I first saw it and I love it now for both the sites and the story. Which, by the way, recalls Ambrose Bierce's "Incident at Owl Creek Bridge", the French film of which was first aired in the US on The Twilight Zone around the time this film was made.
Rating:
Summary: Great Atmospheric Film
Review: This is a really fantastic movie. The tone is very spooky and the cinematography is great, as well as the haunting organ score. What struck me most is that the lead actress, Candace Hilligoss, is a dead ringer for Gwyneth Paltrow; the resemblance is both physical and in her mannerisms. Any Paltrow fans would appreciate seeing this. It's freaky! I am surprised Hilligoss didn't make other movies; she's a great actress and perfect for the role. The abandoned pavilion location (Saltair Resort) is fascinating. The history of the location is as spooky and interesting as the movie itself! I highly recommend this movie for fans of atmospheric scary films.
Rating:
Summary: the criterion collection
Review: As if Rod Serling and George Romero collaborated on a low-budget horror film back in the early 60s,this thing weaves such a nightmarish spell to never be forgotten.Surprisingly,director Herk Harvey never made another movie.Harvey and the rest of his crew made industrial films and COS is their sole fictional film.Wow!What an amazing story!If you get the criterion collection edition you'll get the story of how it came to be,why it vanished then rose from the dead 20-odd years later.A classic.
Rating: 
Summary: Who wrote the box?
Review: A little reminiscent of Ghost Story, this film shows us the tale of a young organist who seems to be the sole survivor of a car crashing into the river. Her life continues as if torn between this world and the one beyond. This is where the box is misleading. When I watched the movie, I waited for zombies to come after her. I think I better description would be ghosts since the beings are not material in any way and only she can see them. Since this is an older movie, the special effects are minimal. However, the filmmaker did well with what he had. Because it is an older movie, the cast seems to really be projecting their voices to ensure they are heard. This gives the movie the feel of being just a movie. At no time will you feel like your are part of the action. But the film is not bad. If you are a fan of old horror films, then this would be an interesting film. This is a story you can tell around a campfire. For the average viewer, you may want to give this a skip.
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