Ep. 24: Carnival of Souls, with Loretta Belgian Strong Dark Ale, from Fieldwork Brewing

We're buying a ticket to Carnival of Souls today, and ordering Loretta, from Fieldwork Brewing Co, in Monterey, CA.

This is Herk Harvey's only feature film, which I think is really unfortunate. This is a really cool, spooky, well made film. I feel Herk could have been a really good filmmaker.

Where the low budget really crops up is in the acting. Lead Candace Hilligoss, as Mary, is an exception. She's excellent.

Early on we get a sense that something's off.

An Occurence at Owl Creek Bridge by Ambrose Bierce has been mentioned in reviews of Carnival. It was made into a famous Twilight Zone episode. Is Mary really going through the events of this film, or is it a flashforward of what might have been had she not died?

I really enjoy the opening credits.

Mary's an organist in a church, which is an odd choice of profession, considering her ambivalence toward religion. Unless you're in a prog rock band, organist is a gig pretty much limited to the church.

After a traumatic accident that she barely survived, while her friends did not, Mary still plans to leave for Utah. Again, her behavior is suspect. She's not seeing her folks before she leaves? Odd.

I've never seen girlie pics up in a church before, like I see in this church.

The tone of this film is tense and unsettling throughout.

Off to Utah. Beautiful state, with otherworldly landscapes. The Carnival of Souls organ theme is really unnerving. I reference Argento and Suspiria, with how it is an essential element of the film, so you get an idea how much I like this one.

She sees the Saltair, a creepy pavilion in the middle of nowhere. Then, we see The Man, for the first time. The Man is played by Herk Harvey.

A gas station attendant fills in a bunch of information, which we've noticed is a theme.

A second Twilight Zone episode, The Hitch-Hiker, may have influenced this story.

Mrs. Thomas' boarding house/not a boarding house, where you can take as many baths as you want.

The other occupant of the house, John, reminds Jayson of Quagmire.

We had to touch on Candace Hilligoss again, who really does a great job.

The set up in this house could be a weird series: A dead woman and a sexual predator in a boarding house that's not a regular boarding house, where you can take as many baths as you want.

John doesn't look like he bathes, except in booze. Speaking of which, Loretta is delicious, and as it warms slightly, opens up, exhibiting so many more flavors.

When Mary plays organ, everyone stops to listen. The priest says, "We have an organist who can stir the soul." Just not her own soul.

Jayson mentions a website where the locations for Carnival have been tracked down. Find it here.

An organist working at a non-Mormon church in Salt Lake City in 1962 would have been rare.

Mary plays, everyone stops, even The Man, who walks in the church and stops upon hearing her play. Powerful stuff.

There may be a link between the stained glass window, the bible verse Matthew 10:1 and Mary's plight.

People read so much into this film, and Herk's response was almost always counter to those readings.

Mary is drawn to the pavilion, and her new boss the priest takes her. The drive reminds Jayson of Kubrick's The Shining.

We touch again on how well done this film is. I think we lost a true talent in Harvey. I wish he had made more films.

We pause to discuss more breweries in Monterey, CA and the surrounding area: Among them, Alvarado St. Brewing, Dust Bowl Brewing Co., and Other Brother. It's a pretty area and cool beer scene, if you're looking for a trip. Loretta's putting us in a Carnival of Souls vibe.

We meet John Linden, who's a real creepy creeperton. He tries to come in uninvited, then tries to force his way in. Disturbing.

The Man shows up again, this time in the house!

Mary freaks out Mrs. Thomas.

John pops in the next morning with coffee and last nights leftover whiskey. Yet another red flag. He's also admittedly stupid. Oh, and it's a workday.

Mary's day shopping is shot and acted wonderfully. The wavy screen means we're in the other world, and all sound drops out.

We meet Dr. Samuels, who attempts to help a distressed Mary. He isn't a psychiatrist, he may be a doctor of political science for all we know. There's a foreshadowing moment in his office.

Mary's drawn to the pavilion again.

Mary goes into a trance and plays non-church music at church, and a scary montage accompanies it. The priest is not amused, and fires her.

This should be the end of a terrible day, but she has a date with John, so it's going to get worse.

Worst. Date. Ever. John's a terrible person. I'd date the Man over him.

John's friend tries to one-up him in the horrible department: "That's not the kind of pig you usually drag around."

We pause to admire Loretta again. Such a great beer.

Not one to take no for an answer, John forces himself into Mary's room. Then the Man pops up and terrifies Mary. John can't see him and bails.

We discuss PTSD, which we feel Mary suffers from. It's serious stuff.

Dr. Samuels conveniently shows up next morning. Mrs. Thomas is not very sympathetic to Mary's situation.

Mary leaves, stops at a mechanic's. The Man shows up. This leads to another well shot sequence where Mary's between worlds. Many scary, disturbing moments.

She ends back up at Dr. Samuels. The early foreshadowing pays off with a great scare.

All roads lead to the Carnival of Souls. Mary resignedly goes to the pavilion. The Ghouls start coming. Ghouls dancing in the ballroom is scary, but they're never menacing.

Mary watches the Ghouls dance, then breaks when they come for her. The chase leads outside to the desert, where they catch her.

Dr. Samuels, a cop, the priest and a random guy at the pavilion. They can't explain what happened to Mary. Tracks come out, but just end.

The car is found, as is Mary. The end. Jayson and I have different takes on this story. I think her spirit didn't know it was dead, but Jayson thinks at the moment of death in the car, she flash forwarded to a "what could have been." I'm right.

We both like this movie, a lot. I really wish we could have seen more Herk Harvey films. Candace Hilligoss was fantastic. And absolutely we recommend Fieldwork's Lorett. It's so delicious.

Intro music for this episode is a mix of (1) Turn on The Funk (Story Blocks Audio subscription), (2) sample 1961’s The Phantom Planet [in the public domain], and (3) sample 1968’s Voyage to the Planet of Prehistoric Women [in the public domain]. Outro music Vintage Background Jazz Atmosphere by Volodymyr Piddubnyk (Story Blocks Audio subscription).