Orphaned at 11, future horror impresario and master of the cheap thriller, William Castle, dropped out of school at 15 to embark on a showbiz career. His penchant for promotion soon led him to Hollywood, where he joined Columbia Pictures and quickly became a director. Castle gained a reputation for bringing films in fast and cheap and was put to work making all kinds of B-movies – from mysteries and film noir, to westerns and adventure pictures. But Castle’s true talent became apparent when he struck out on his own and formed an independent production company. Under his own shingle, Castle began producing a string of over-the-top, melodramatic horror films that he boosted with sensational hucksterism and stunts. From his first independent feature – Macabre, where he offered $1000 life insurance policies to attendees in case they died of fright – it was clear that Castle had found his calling. This October, we celebrate this master showman with a series highlighting his career from beginning to (almost) end. Come join us for some frights – you might find this series particularly shocking!