The Screaming Skull (1958)

User Rating:

2.7/10   

Director:

Alex Nicol

Writer:

John Kneubuhl (writer)

Release Date:

January 1958 (USA)

Genre:

Horror | Thriller

Tagline:

FREE!! We guarantee to bury you without charge if you die of fright during SCREAMING SKULL!

Plot:

A newlywed couple arrives at the home of the husband's late wife, where the gardens have been maintained by a gardener faithful to the dead woman's memory. Soon eerie events lead the new wife to think she is going out of her mind.

Plot Keywords:

Newlywed | Gardener | Mansion | Mental Illness | Skull

Cast

John Hudson	...	Eric Whitlock
Peggy Webber	...	Jenni Whitlock
Russ Conway	...	Reverend Edward Snow
Tony Johnson	...	Mrs. Snow
Alex Nicol	...	Mickey

Runtime:

68 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

USA:Unrated | UK:X (original rating) | UK:PG (re-rating) (2005)

Company:

American International Pictures (AIP)

Trivia:

The newlyweds' car is a rare mid-50's gull-wing Mercedes.

Goofs:

Continuity: Length of the candle in the bedroom.

Quotes:

Jenni Whitlock: Eric, when you found me, what else was there?
Eric Whitlock: What do you mean, 'What else?'
Jenni Whitlock: A skull?

Movie Connections:

Featured in Ernest Scared Stupid (1991)

I never heard a skull scream

Narrator: "The Screaming Skull" is a motion picture that reaches its climax in shocking horror. It's impact is so terrifying that it may have an unforeseen effect. It may *kill* you! Well, the screaming skull may not kill you, unless you are susceptible to suggestion and loaded and marry the wrong jerk - one who may have killed his first wife.

This is more thriller than horror as it is basically an attempt by a husband to drive his new wife back to a mental institution so he can whoop it up with her money.

Unfortunately for him, the creepy gardener liked his old wife and is keeping an eye on him.