The Tingler (1959)

So much has been made of The Tingler's gimmick -- theatre seats outfitted with tiny electro-shock devices -- that most people don't know that it's actually a pretty good horror movie. It's no classic like The Exorcist, but it's enjoyable, even at its cheesiest, and delivers more than its fair share of tense moments along the way. Without the interactive electro-shock gimmick, and experienced in one's living room rather than in a theatre, the climax simply doesn't work, but the basic, admittedly silly premise is interesting enough to make most viewers overlook this flaw. There's also some atmospheric lighting and camerawork that make an asset of the film's budgetary constraints, and an outrageous insertion of color into one sequence that's so ridiculous that one can't help but enjoy it. The script has its saggy expository moments, but these are relatively few, and the excitement of most of the set pieces makes the wait worthwhile. Most of all, Tingler has Vincent Price, more restrained than in many of his films, but clearly in control of the film. It's easy to make fun of Price -- and well justified -- but he had an undeniably unique presence, and it's the rare Price thriller that isn't buoyed by his participation. Tingler is a cheap, lowbrow horror flick, but it's professionally made and quite watchable. ~ Craig Butler, All Movie Guide