The first of William Castle's "gimmick" films. In this one, admission included a $1000 insurance policy against "death by fright" issued by Lloyds of London.
During its initial theatrical release, attendees were given a small badge that said, "I'm no chicken. I saw 'Macabre'."
The insurance policy with Lloyds of London was real. A reported stipulation was that the "Lloyds of London" name could not be used on posters and other printed promotional material.
At some theaters, fake nurses were hired to be in attendance in the lobby and hearses and ambulances were parked outside.