Product: 13 Ghosts (1960)
Rating: 5.0
Smart and clever; fun and silly...
When I'm up, late at night, when the info-mercials start, I put on my favorite guilty pleasure, 13 Ghosts. I've always loved the William Castle films, and this is the most delightful of all, loaded with creeps, as well as loads of humor. One special thing is the love of the parents for their kids. The kids are played by (not so kid-like) Jo Morrow, cute as ever, and the terrific Charles Herbert, given top-billing over Donald Woods (the real main character). The charming Rosemary de Camp is on hand, as well as Martin Milner, just before he became a hit on TV in "Route 66". "The Wizard of Oz" hadn't yet become it's annual TV sensation, and Margaret Hamilton is on hand to provide a wonderfully creepy housekeeper.I just can't say enough about how much I enjoy this film. It has a great script by Robb White, and William Castle directs as if nothing could be more fun.Side 1 of the DVD requires the viewer (provided in theaters in the 60's), side 2 has a version where you don't need the viewer. Castle's gimmick is complete with this DVD, which includes the viewer.When I first saw 13 Ghosts in the theater, when I was 10, I felt so cool that I knew what a Ouija board was...some things you simply don't forget.This is a good film for kids, too, age 10 or older, though kids today are more resilient to the supernatural than I was, back then; a much simpler time.