In our previous blog we checked out two of the hottest movies around, and the gimmicks that helped cause a stir among the movie-going public. Of course, these sorts of conceits are always great for grabbing attention – like The Blair Witch Project’s spear-heading of the ‘found footage’ genre – and getting bums on seats. But way back when, just going to the cinema could be a gimmick in itself. Check it out…
The Film: The Tingler (1959)
Ever seen The Tingler? You probably have if you dig on B-movie horror, but your experience would have a tad different to those going to the movies in 1959. The William Castle-directed thriller told the tale of a genius scientist who figures out that there’s a parasite attached to good human-folk that feeds on fear. Ah, William Castle – that should set alarms bells ringing. He was a big-time schlock horror man, the Godfather of Gimmicks. He once offered a $1,000 life insurance policy should any audience member die during his film Macabre. With The Tingler though, he modified certain cinema seats to give the audience an electric shock when characters on-screen were scared.
The Film: Clue (1985)
We all love a game of Cluedo, right? Or Clue, as it’s known across the Atlantic. So you’re probably familiar with the game’s concept: take six guests, one labyrinthine mansion, and throw in a body for good measure. Now, all you have to do is figure who the killer is, how they did it, and where. Well, the film follows the same path – with a slight difference. Just as no game of Cluedo is ever the same, the movie is just as modular. There were three different endings shot for the film (Don’t worry, we won’t spoil them here), with a different one shown in different theatres. Cunning!
Whether you’re in it for the gimmick, or just for a great movie-going experience, you’ll want a snazzy set to watch it on. And here at Cheap TVs, we’ve got just that, with an extensive range of affordable televisions – so you’ll always find what you want from us. For more information, please don’t hesitate to contact us on 0121 327 3273 and our dedicated team will be delighted to help.
