Photo: James Rojas/WBZ NewsRadio
BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — The Coolidge Corner Theater in Brookline is screening the 1959 horror classic “The Tingler,” including with the original immersive experience.
“Back in 1959, what they would do is they would wire movie theater seats with buzzers,” Program Director Mark Anastasio told WBZ NewsRadio’s James Rojas, who got to experience the rigged seats for the upcoming showings. The gimmick for this film was coined the name “Percepto.”
Anastasio explained that during a specific scene of the movie, the lights and screen of the theater goes dark. Actor Vincent Price, who played the protagonist in the film, announced to the audience that “the tingler” is on the loose, encouraging screams as some audience members got unexpectedly jolted from a vibrating motor attached to their seats.
Director William Castle is known for his use of gimmicks for his film releases, and the “Precepto” was one of his most well-known. It was even honored "The Most Inane and Unwelcome 'Technical Advance" in Hollywood History" award in Harry and Michael Medved’s 1980 book “The Golden Turkey Awards.”
All month long, the Coolidge Corner Theater has been hosting the “Schlock and Awe” program, a revival run of various Castle horror films and gimmicks for local residents.
“It really felt like the right time to put on a program like Schlock and Awe where you’re giving people an additional reason to get off the couch and come out to the movies,” Anastasio said.
The event included cult classics like “Macabre,” “13 Ghosts,” “House on Haunted Hill” and, of course, “The Tingler,” all with its own immersive experience.
“It’s very hard to keep "the tingler" at bay,” Anastasio added.
“The Tingler” will be screening at the Coolidge Corner Theater on Oct. 30 and Nov. 7.
WBZ NewsRadio’s James Rojas (@JamesRojasMMJ) reports.
Follow WBZ NewsRadio: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | iHeartmedia App | TikTok