I got hooked on this film before it even properly started! And only because it's starts with a spoken warning that you're about to view the
ultimate in terror! It reminded me a little of the Universal Monster movies from the 30's. You know, those classic titles like Frankenstein and Dracula in which Edward van Sloan comes peeking from behind the curtain to warn us that the following film and I quote "may frighten you
it may even shock you". The Screaming Skulls has this too, only much more extravagant. The producers claim to give away free burial services (!) because it's very well possible that you'll DIE of fright! The intro even ends with the image of an open coffin, showing the note "reserved for you". That's priceless! But, say what you want about this film, it does attempt to build up a horrifying atmosphere and it often succeeds in doing so. With ominous sound effects, dark photography and neat set pieces, director Alex Nicol brings a modest tale of terror that is definitely worth checking out. The plot centers on the respectable widower Eric Whitlock who remarries the wealthy Jenny. The live in Eric's old mansion where Jenny is soon after terrorized by eerie noises and she constantly encounters human skulls around the house. Is it the spirit of Eric deceased wife that came back from the dead? Is there someone after her fortune? Or did the mentally unstable gardener Mickey finally went berserk? I won't spoil it for you, because the DVD I own did, and that really spoiled the fun for me. The Screaming Skull is a very cheap production; so don't expect brilliant shock effects or lots of bloody make up. It does, however, have some tension and a decent screenplay. Yes, it's full of flaws but what's the point in naming them all, as I'm sure you won't even consider watching this film in case you don't have a soft spot for cheap 50's ghost stories? Fact is that it's overall better than commonly believed and worth 70 minutes of your time.
Review of The Screaming Skull
