The Tingler (1959)

The Tingler is a 1959 American horror film produced and directed by William Castle. It is the third of five collaborations between Castle and writer Robb White, and stars Vincent Price, Darryl Hickman, Patricia Cutts, Pamela Lincoln, Philip Coolidge, and Judith Evelyn.

The film tells the story of a scientist who discovers a parasite in human beings, called a “tingler”, which feeds on fear. The creature earned its name by making the spine of its host “tingle” when the host is frightened. In line with other Castle horror films, including Macabre (1958) and House on Haunted Hill (1959), Castle used gimmicks to sell the film. The Tingler remains most well-known for a gimmick called “Percepto!”, a vibrating device in some theater chairs which activated with the onscreen action.

The Tingler received mixed reviews and is generally considered a camp cult film.

Cast

• Vincent Price as Dr. Warren Chapin
• Judith Evelyn as Mrs. Martha Ryerson Higgins
• Darryl Hickman as Dave Morris
• Patricia Cutts as Isabel Stevens Chapin
• Pamela Lincoln as Lucy Stevens
• Philip Coolidge as Oliver ‘Ollie’ Higgins