“Why can’t anybody hear me?!”
The Fascinating Origins of a Classic Horror Film
In the early 1960s, director Herk Harvey stumbled upon an abandoned amusement park in Salt Lake City, sparking the idea for what would become the classic horror film Carnival of Souls. With a shoestring budget and a cast of mostly unknown actors, Harvey set out to capture the haunting atmosphere of that desolate park. Join us – Pete Wright and Andy Nelson – as we kick off the One-and-Done series with a conversation about Harvey's 1962 film Carnival of Souls.
Exploring the Liminal Space Between Life and Death
Our discussion of Carnival of Souls delves into the film's unique storytelling approach and its exploration of the space between life and death. We examine how the protagonist, Mary Henry (played by Candace Hilligoss), navigates this liminal space after surviving a tragic car accident, and how her experiences blur the lines between reality and the supernatural.
Throughout our conversation, we touch on:
- The effective use (overuse?) of organ music and striking visual imagery
- The ambiguity of certain scenes and their room for interpretation
- The film's influence on later horror movies
A Timeless Classic That Continues to Captivate
Despite its low budget and relatively unknown cast, Carnival of Souls has endured as a classic of the horror genre. Its haunting imagery, ambiguous storytelling, and exploration of existential themes continue to captivate audiences decades after its initial release. We have a great time talking about it, so check it out then tune in. The Next Reel – when the movie ends, our conversation begins!
Film Sundries
Follow the other podcasts in The Next Reel’s family of film podcasts:
Here’s where you can find us around the internet:
What are some other ways you can support us and show your love? Glad you asked!
- You can buy our movie-related apparel, stickers, mugs and more from our MERCH PAGE.
- Or buy or rent movies we’ve discussed on the show from our WATCH PAGE.
- Or buy books, plays, etc. that was the source for movies we’ve discussed on the show from our ORIGINALS PAGE.
- Or renew or sign up for a Letterboxd Pro or Patron account with our LETTERBOXD MEMBERSHIP DISCOUNT.
- Or sign up for AUDIBLE.
What is The Next Reel Film Podcast?
The Next Reel team has been dedicated to reviews, news, and commentary on world film for a decade. This podcast is The Next Reel master feed including all the episodes of The Next Reel, Trailer Rewind, The Film Board, The Speakeasy, and the other shorts, interviews, and specials we've produced over the years.