Vincent Price plays a scientist and doctor who by day helps patients and performs autopsies... but at night conducts experiments by injecting himself with lysergic acid (LSD) in search of the Tingler, a creature that runs up and tightens the spine in moments of fright. Where does it come from and can it be separated from its human host for further study? "The Tingler" works as a film on many levels. As a horror film on the base level, it's a decent story of a creature, of fear and of murder. The blood is minimal, there's no gore and the language is clean. No nudity. But it's what you expect from Vincent Price in the 1950s, and clearly one of his better performances. He will be remembered for such works as "Last Man on Earth", but this one ought not be overlooked.
On the upper level, it's also a story of marriage and adultery. I dare say this is the strength of the picture. The creature aspect is relatively small, at least until the end, but the marriage subplot runs strong, which seems bold for the time period. The word "divorce" is never uttered, and we are in a world where murder is an easier option than divorce. The banter between Price and his wife is biting and hard-hitting, at times maybe even edgy. Even with the horror aspects removed, this film could have been carried by the basis of their relationship.
And on the lower level, we are treated to some gimmicks -- not surprising from a William Castle film (see separate review for the documentary "Spine Tingler"). Audiences at the time had shocks built in their seats to feel the tingle, and if you are lucky enough to catch it in theaters, you may feel the same (at a screening in Chicago at the Portage Theater, a nurse walked the aisles with a joy buzzer). There's the scene where things go from monochrome to color. And there's the Tingler itself, which is so poorly constructed that we see its just a piece of rubber on a string -- beware should it break the fourth wall! While sillier than many Vincent Price films -- even sillier than most William Castle films -- this one is not to be overlooked, as it often is. If you get a chance to see a screening of it, I highly recommend this, especially if you get a horror-loving audience. If you must resort to DVD, I would encourage this as well. The film is certainly worth owning, and with many years passed by, it's likely to be fairly affordable.
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