Scare Tactic: The Life & Films of William Castle

by John Law

In Scare Tactic, John W. Law artfully resurrects the intriguing life and outrageously splendid work of legendary horror film director, William Castle. Clearly written and thoroughly researched, Scare Tactic is the only book of its kind, delivering a complete biography of Castle - surveying not only the multiple influences on Castles career but also the importance of the man himself. Laws fascination with Castle is contagious, but he cuts through the ballyhoo and showmanship to deliver the facts in an articulate and insightful manner. Anyone interested in the history of cinema, the horror movie genre, cult films, or the cinema of exploitation would do well to read Laws study, since - in the tradition of P.T. Barnum - Castle is one of the most important showmen the American cinema has ever known.

264 pages, Paperback

First published April 28, 2000