Active Retroculture | Electric seats and flying skeletons: William Castle's macabre marketing

The article explores the promotional strategies of filmmaker William Castle, who gained notoriety for his immersive and macabre cinema marketing techniques. During his career, Castle incorporated interactive elements into his screenings, such as electric seats and mechanical flying skeletons, to transform the movie-going experience into a physical event for audiences.

These tactics represented a shift in film exhibition, moving beyond traditional viewing to prioritize spectacle and audience engagement. By integrating physical gimmicks into the theater environment, Castle sought to heighten the suspense and entertainment value of his horror films, leaving a lasting impact on the history of cinematic promotion.