My analysis of this quintessential American horror
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Archived from the IMDb Discussion Forums — Carnival of Souls
musicbymartin — 10 years ago(November 02, 2015 12:44 PM)
This film is an American horror, and is a compact satirical masterpiece, juxtaposing individualism with the organisations of the establishment.
Our heroine resists joining the church or taking up a job - 'I have no desire for the company of other people. The carnival she is drawn to is abandoned, hints at nuclear apocalypse. Our heroines death is linked to the death of communities, the death of fun and celebration.
She is the independent modern woman, enjoying racing with her young friends at the start, and it's notable that her moment of awakening comes during a dance. Is this the emergence of the youth culture in the US, the growth of discos and nightclubs?
She wanders around a department store, the inner sanctum of American consumerism. Here, she becomes invisible to others, the loneliness and pointlessness of the consumer is the focus here - no one is listening, it's just a one-way transaction: "why can't anybody hear me!" she cries. When she becomes invisible a second time, notice the symbols of Americana which become silent and ignore her - the cop, Greyhound, taxi, town park etc.
She delights many with her organ playing, the organs motto is "cast out Devils" so her playing is a kind of self-Excorcism, music therapy, until later on when she seems to lose control of her hands and feet. She loses control of yet another form of communication, a creative form this time.
She refuses the priests offer of help - she wants to go it alone (the picture I'm trying to pain out above) and whilst this may be the American Dream, if renders her effectively dead. She also rebuffs the suitor because she sees him as the spectre. What exactly does she see here?
In what is for me the most harrowing scene, she barricades herself in her flat whilst screaming "I don't wanna be left alone!" - this is true insanity.
So she loses touch with the other shoppers, with the church, with the world of work and is instead
drawn to the silent minority community outside the main town. She is outside the norm here- these people are beatniks, communists, Iroquois.
So, I feel this is a movie about the individual's place in the community, and the satirical tone shows the true horror most would feel to lose that place. -
PimpinAinttEasy — 10 years ago(November 10, 2015 10:06 PM)
cheers. great review/analysis. but:
She is the independent modern woman, enjoying racing with her young friends at the start
even in this scene, candace hilligoss has an uninterested and dazed look on her face.
and it's notable that her moment of awakening comes during a dance.
but even over there, she is quite uninterested. -
PimpinAinttEasy — 10 years ago(November 10, 2015 11:35 PM)
here is my review:
Dear Herk Harvey and John Clifford,
the following quote by Robert Crumb came to mind while I was watching your film:
"Hell is yourself too."
I watched your interview on the criterion DVD and both of you seemed like regular nice guys. Not the sort of misanthropes who would have written and directed this film. But then, you could have been wearing a veil of normalcy.
I have lived alone in Bombay and I have always felt like Mary Henry when I am on a day out with co workers. Everyone would be excited and I would be wondering whats the big deal. It is evident from the detached expression on Mary Henry's (Candice Hilligoss) face during the exciting drag racing scene at the beginning of the movie, that she is an isolated and misanthropic person. It was a great way to start the movie. You had me interested right there.
John, Mary Henry's characterization was great. She is a woman on the brink, unable to fit into regular society. She wants to turn her back to it because she is neither a hipster nor a square. She cannot connect with the partying working class guy or the conservative religious crowd that seems to populate the small town. Was this some sort of commentary on American society of the 60s? I think so.
It is to your credit that you did not make this a pean for individuality. So Mary is also not entirely happy with her solitude. She does make attempts to form human relationships by going out to a club and trying to dress well. The scene at the boutique was very well done. I completely identified with it. I have often felt like that. That people are not not paying attention to me. Who hasn't? Good job there, guys.
Once again, great characterization. Candace Hilligoss does a good job as the isolated lady. She even has the whole lesbian vibe
The Saltair amusement park looked forbidding. You guys did a great job filming it. I almost felt like it was this other worldly place faraway from civilization. What an ingenious choice of location. The likes of Eli Roth can learn a thing or two from you guys.
The interesting and strange locations - like the initial organ playing sequence in a factory like place and then the car wash, intensified Mary Henry's sense of weirdness.
Cant beat you guys for creating atmosphere. The film was awash with this aura of Christianity thanks to the visuals and the great background score by Gene Moore.
And before I forget, the title sequence was great. I am surprised more people have not ripped this off. And I am surprised you guys did not make more feature films. What happened?
Best Regards,
Pimpin.
(9/10) -
musicbymartin — 10 years ago(November 11, 2015 09:35 AM)
Hey thanks for your feedback and review
I take on board your points about her initial disinterest , I'll have to rewatch
Good to see we agreed that isolation is the main theme here. The films genius is that the true themes are hidden away but it's s testament to the makers that those with the right eyes get it. -
classics_guy — 10 years ago(December 17, 2015 01:42 PM)
I identify with the character as well.
I don't recall ever truly connecting with another human being, fully.
at school I never enjoyed the company of other children and they didn't want mine.
I don't 'fit' in with regular Society either. I am basically introverted and very disinterested in what other's find 'exciting' it in fact leaves me flat emotionally or drained.
I can be friendly when out. but there is an awkwardness. Mary was able to be friendly with the saleslady at the department store and even the landlady. and with Mr Thomas. then she ends up shutting them out or is they who shut her out? everyone seems to turn on her in someway.
It's the same with me. people will seem to be interested in knowing me for a bit then lose interest or just turn on me. I act about the way Mary Henry does. not mean, not wild or outgoing. just disconnected from my fellow man (and woman)
I do know if you don't follow SOMETHING or other. the majority of people will take a dislike to you. speaking of religion. I used to frequent an antique store owned by a family of 'Christians' very nice to me, so it seemed. asking what I do on the holidays they learned I have no close family ties and usually spend it alone.
the young girl said, I feel sorry for him. the mother said. why? he isn't family or anything. so much for Christian love. my point being even the Minister did not know what to do with her. I think people like Mary Henry (and she was described as a loner at the beginning) and myself and others on here are simply Enigmas. that no 'group' knows if they should like or hate you. if they can't figure you out they are indifferent or feel they must hate you. so do we end up being loners by choice or are born that way? maybe both. I do feel self-imposed isolation is best than feeling isolated with people you have no connection to. some of us are just wired differently.
and you don't have to be a serial killer or Unabomber to be that way.
but I don't like people as a whole. because there is simply too much following, back-stabbing and phoniness that I can't tolerate. if that is conforming. no thanks. I will continue to be 'odd' and isolated.