The Tingler Blu-ray Review

Shout! Factory’s Blu-ray release of "The Tingler" presents the 1959 film in its original theatrical aspect ratio of 1.85:1, encoded in MPEG-4 AVC. Boasting a resolution of 1080p, this edition utilizes a BD-25 layer, achieving impressive clarity and detail. The black-and-white cinematography by Wilfrid M. Cline is characterized by strong grayscale and excellent depth, creating a three-dimensional feel that enhances the film's noirish elements. Despite the inherent limitations of the film stock, the transfer remains highly clean with no significant image stability issues, save for minor flickering around background objects. The occasional tiny white specks and dirt barely detract from the overall experience.

Particularly worth noting is the infamous color sequence, where blood red is used for dramatic effect. While this scene shows higher grain and a denser texture, it remains a testament to the quality of the film’s preservation. Shout! Factory has maintained strong detail with sharp, crisp images throughout most of the movie, ensuring that facial features such as moles and wrinkles are clearly visible at reasonable distances. Black levels are impressively deep and natural, with excellent saturation that brings out textures and patterns effectively. Even as strings and other practical effects from the era become evident, they contribute to the nostalgic charm rather than detract from the viewing experience.

Overall, Shout! Factory has done an admirable job in maintaining the integrity of "The Tingler" while upgrading its visual presentation to meet modern standards. The only minor drawback is some slight wear in specific scenes, but on balance, the transfer provides a clean and engaging viewing experience that is likely to satisfy both new viewers and nostalgic fans alike.

Shout! Factory's Blu-ray presentation of "The Tingler" features a single DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Mono track, operating at 1674 kbps, 24-bit. This monaural mix delivers clear, precise sound, with no noticeable hiss or dated elements affecting the quality. The audio presentation maintains a clean layer, creating a balanced interplay between the score and dialogue that enhances the overall viewing experience. Composer Von Dexter's foreboding score effectively mimics the emotional tension intended for the audience, contributing significantly to the film's atmosphere.

The clarity of the dialogue is worth noting, with vocals sounding full, clear, and crisp. Despite its vintage pedigree, the track boasts a commendable range and depth, with both high and low sounds fluctuating seamlessly between musical cues and spoken words. Background noises, like in Chapin's lab scene, initially appear as hiss but are actually elements like tape recorders, further illustrating the track's attention to detail.

For those requiring subtitles, Shout! includes English SDH options accessible through the menu or remote control. While the audio does not employ modern surround sound features or low-frequency extensions, it remains a solid mono presentation that faithfully represents the original soundscape of "The Tingler".

The Blu-ray extras for "The Tingler" are both comprehensive and meticulously restored, appealing to cinephiles and fans of William Castle's unique approach to horror. The disc features a new, insightful audio commentary by author/historian Steve Haberman, who offers detailed mini-biographies and filmographies of the cast, although his commentary does have occasional lulls. Pamela Lincoln and Barry Lorie's interviews offer charming and nostalgic perspectives on their experiences, though their upscaled 1080p quality can't completely mask the original recording dates from the late nineties and early DVD era. The vintage featurette "Scream for Your Lives! William Castle and The Tingler" provides in-depth reflections on Castle's work with Vincent Price and his innovative promotion techniques. Fans are further treated to original promotional materials, including the amusingly gimmicky "Drive-In Scream!" audio and the still gallery with rare images.

Extras included in this disc:

• NEW Audio Commentary by Author/Historian Steve Haberman: Detailed mini-biographies and filmographies with occasional silent breaks.
• NEW I Survived the Tingler - An Interview with Pamela Lincoln: Pamela Lincoln, discussing her role and the film's impact.
• NEW Unleashing Percepto - An Interview with Publicist Barry Lorie: Barry Lorie on promotional tactics including seat buzzers.
• Scream for Your Lives! William Castle and The Tingler: In-depth retrospective featurette with cast and biographer interviews.
• William Castle's Drive-In Scream! Audio: Drive-in audio feature prompting patrons to turn on their headlights.
• Original Scream Scene: Recording of audience reactions.
• The Original 1959 Theatre Lobby Recording: Audio-only promotional trailer.
• Theatrical Trailer
• Still Gallery: Fifty-two curated images including posters, lobby cards, and behind-the-scenes photos.

"The Tingler" is a captivating example of William Castle's innovative approach to horror filmmaking. Starring Vincent Price as Dr. Warren Chapin, the film explores the bizarre concept of fear manifesting physically as a parasitic creature that clamps onto the spinal cords of terrified individuals. This creature, known as "The Tingler," can only be neutralized by the human act of screaming. Castle's directorial signature is evident throughout, particularly in a scene where Dr. Chapin's manipulative experiments involve his unfaithful wife Isabel, contributing to the film's unique blend of suspense and humor. Castle, much like Alfred Hitchcock, delighted in manipulating his audience, employing gimmicks such as the infamous Percepto! device to enhance the viewing experience.

Set pieces and performances in "The Tingler" are notably engaging. Price delivers an outstanding performance, skillfully navigating some of his career’s most challenging and campy dialogue. His portrayal of the eccentric surgeon/scientist adds a depth that enhances the film’s charm and believability. Supporting cast members, like Judith Evelyn playing a deaf-mute who becomes one of Chapin's patients in fear, also deliver solid performances that contribute to the film's eerie atmosphere. The inclusion of Henry King’s "Tol'able David" within the movie sets up a fascinating interplay between silent-era horror and Castle's contemporary thrills, making for an intriguing meta-cinematic moment that still resonates.

"The Tingler" is a mix of clever pseudo-science, nostalgic horror, and masterful performance. While its scares may seem playful by modern standards, it remains a delightful piece of cinematic history, perfect for both horror aficionados and younger audiences. The film is undeniably most effective when experienced in a theater with William Castle's original "spookshow" effects, underscoring the timeless appeal of both Castle’s showmanship and Price’s magnetic screen presence.

William Castle’s “The Tingler” receives outstanding treatment on Blu-ray through this release, providing both fans and collectors with a high-quality presentation of this iconic horror film. The transfer is excellent, boasting a clear and sharp visual experience that highlights the film's eerie atmosphere. The audio quality is equally impressive, delivering crisp and clean sound that enhances the overall viewing experience.

The disc is packed with a variety of extras that cater to both new viewers and seasoned fans. These supplemental materials include insightful commentary by Steve Haberman and featurettes that delve into the film's production and Castle's unique brand of showmanship. Additionally, the Scream Factory release ports over extras from previous releases while introducing several new interviews, offering a comprehensive package for enthusiasts of classic horror cinema.

In conclusion, “The Tingler” is often considered one of William Castle's better-made works and I encourage you to check this out from The Master of Shock. In the UK, Powerhouse Films will very shortly put out William Castle at Columbia Volume One, a limited edition box set that includes a different commentary than the one here. It retains several of the featurettes on the Shout! disc and adds a couple new interviews. It does not port over, however, this pretty informative commentary by Steve Haberman. The Tingler is RECOMMENDED to fans of Castle and Price. Completists will want to own both the Shout! and Powerhouse set. (It doesn't appear that the latter will give it a stand-alone release.)