Macabre

Macabre is a 1958 American horror film directed by William Castle, written by Robb White, and starring William Prince and Jim Backus. The film falls into both the horror and suspense genres. It involved one of Castle's first forays into using the promotional gimmicks that later made him famous. A certificate for a $1,000 life insurance policy from Lloyd's of London was given to each customer in case they should die of fright during the film. Plot The film is set in the small town of Thornton, California. The plot consists of a frame story set in the present (c. 1958), an extended flashback to 1955, and an extended flashback set months before the present story. Below the events are given in chronological order. Before 1955, Jode Wetherby is the wealthiest man in town. His two daughters, Alice and Nancy Wetherby, are the heiresses to his large fortune. Alice dates police chief Jim Tyloe, but fatefully marries Rodney Barrett. This starts an enmity between Tyloe and Barrett. Meanwhile Nancy, although blind, is enjoying a life consisting of casual sexual relationships, fast cars, and voyages abroad.