William Castle at Columbia: Volume Two [Import]

Zotz! (1962)

A mild-mannered professor of ancient languages finds a mysterious coin that, once he translates its inscription, grants him the ability to slow down time, inflict pain, and kill. But when Russian spies learn about the coin, the stage is set for a hilarious chase as they pursue the prof in an effort to get their hands on the powerful artifact. Tom Poston, Julia Meade, Jim Backus, Margaret Dumont star in this quirky mix of comedy, action, and fantasy from director William Castle. 85 min. BW/Rtg: NR

The Old Dark House (1963)

In William Castle's spin on the J.B. Priestley novel, Tom Penderel (Tom Poston), an American car salesman living in England, gets a strange invitation to spend the weekend at the spooky old Femm Estate. When the members of the eccentric Femm family start getting picked off one by one, Tom must find the killer and stop him before he winds up next on the hit list. Robert Morley, Janette Scott co-star in this comic horror tale. 86 min. C/Rtg: NR

13 Frightened Girls (1963)

Directed by William Castle, this winning thriller follows 13 female students at a Swiss boarding school as they stir up trouble for their diplomat parents while vacationing. After a Russian spy is found murdered, the girls find themselves in a heap of trouble that could have international implications. Kathy Dunn, Murray Hamilton, Joyce Taylor, and Hugh Marlowe star. 89 min. C/Rtg: NR

Strait-Jacket (1964)

After 20 years in the booby hatch, Lucy Harbin (Joan Crawford), convicted for the axe murders of her husband (an uncredited Lee Majors) and his lover, finds peace at her daughter Carol's (Diane Baker) home. But once heads start to roll again, it looks like Lucy's given decapitation another crack. Classic William Castle shocker, written by Robert Bloch ("Psycho"), reassures "It's only a movie...It's only a movie." With Leif Erickson, George Kennedy, Howard St. John. 93 min. BW/Rtg: NR

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