Review of The Screaming Skull (1958) by Jack P — 19 Feb 2013

Not bad but definitely worth a watch. This film is interesting, I mean its not a great one but a pass nonetheless. It opens up stating that the company who made the movie is offering free burial services to whoever happens to die of fright while watching this movie, which sets the bar insanely high for the flick but if its anything to die of its laughter with this one. Its super low budget but the narration at the beginning was pretty cool. The plot itself is about a couple of newlyweds who move into a house, its very weird since the character Eric used to live in the house with his ex-wife who died outside in the courtyard by slipping on a leaf and breaking her skull...well that is seriously the explanation given. But Eric doesn't seem to be bothered at all by this. One of the more weirder parts are when we see an obelisk of his departed wife along with a painting that depicts his ex-wife. Its really just convoluted back story that we don't really need.

I really have to address the idea of the skull getting around because in different shot its just rolling around, and this movie is filled with jump cuts. In fact the skull itself doesn't really scream, the only thing that really screams is Jenny, Erics new wife. And its incredibly annoying to hear. The skull just appears randomly and we are expected to be scared from it. Its very campy, the music is very chilling and it does have a good deal of atmosphere to it and I like that. This one is public domain so you can find it anywhere, I would say definitely see it if you are a fan of cult, definitely worth it for some chills and laughs.