The Tingler was released in 1959. (same year Hal Jordan/Green Lantern made his comic book debut) At the time, it earned mixed reviews from critics. Overtime, the film became a cult classic for fans of classic horror films. First time I heard about The Tingler, James Rolfe AKA the Angry Video Game Nerd talked about it on his video series, Cinemassacre’s Monster Madness. Anyway, it’s Halloween Month. I’ll be watching and reviewing some spooky stuff. What should I review next? Please leave a comment and don’t forget to subscribe.
Although I’m not a big fan of classic horror films, I thought watching The Tingler before I see Demi Moore & Margaret Qualley in “The Substance.” I believe the former’s the first body horror film. If I’m wrong, notify me.
This review contains SPOILERS. If you’re somewhat interested in seeing The Tingler, read at your own risk.
Curable & Incurable Qualities
Curable: Vincent Price did a solid job for his performance.
Cinematography was shot normally.
Set Pieces were manually built by set decorators.
Before the film starts, William Castle addresses the audience they’ll feel a tingling (no pun intended) sensation. A electrical buzzer was stored underneath rows of seats. Quite impressive letting movie goers have a good time. Nowadays, a few movie theaters like Cinemark have D-BOX Seats. They’re designed for the audience to enhance the experience like a simulation ride whenever an action scene occurs.
Incurable: William Castle did a poor job directing. He didn’t double check the script for potential rewrites.
Like William’s OG “House on Haunted Hill,” it’s boring as heck. I didn’t feel a sense of dread. Not a tingle down my spine. I’d rather replay the Dead Space Trilogy. These games managed to scare the heck outta me.
The titular creature appears 57 minutes in wasting a huge chunk of the running time. Too much exposition taking about The Tingler. I expected this movie to be a body horror after 15-20 minutes of buildup. Imagine if we never got to see Ghostface in any “Scream” movie until Act 3? Would that work? Heck no! If you’re gonna buildup the main attraction, you have to be precise on Act 1. Not Act 2 and Act 3. I haven no choice but to Triple Down Points for making me feel miserably bored.
I didn’t care about the characters. They weren’t interesting at all. Dull as in staring at paint getting dry on a wall.
The creature has a weakness. Scream at the top of your lungs. Really? That’s the dumbest weakness I’ve ever heard. In John Carpenter’s “The Thing,” fire worked as a proper weakness on the monster.
The creature’s a centipede. Doesn’t creep me out. What creeps me out are tarantulas or giant spiders like Shelob from “The Lord of the Rings Trilogy.”
The movie’s quite dated. For instance, Dr. Chapin mentioned he misses watching silent movies growing up. Especially, Charlie Chaplin. Kinda jarring from a modern perspective we’re used to sound. Correct me if I’m wrong, movie theaters today never play silent movies.
The Final Verdict: F, FOR FAKER!
The Tingler’s not quite a legitimate classic horror film. Sorry folks, I’m not a big fan of old school horror films. I prefer “90s to modern including the Scream series, “From Dusk Til Dawn” & Grindhouse’s double header, “Planet Terror” & “Death Proof.” If I were you, skip The Tingler, watch James Gunn’s “Slither.” It’s a great body horror comedy definitely worth your spare time.
Nickthemoviecritic.com 