The Screaming Skull (1958) is an independently made American black‑and‑white horror film directed by Alex Nicol in his directorial debut.
Distributed by American International Pictures, it was released in August 1958 as a double feature with Terror from the Year 5000.
The story follows newlyweds Jenni and Eric Whitlock as they move into Eric’s isolated estate, where Jenni becomes convinced she is being haunted by the ghost of Eric’s deceased first wife, Marion. Strange screams, eerie apparitions, and the recurring appearance of a skull drive Jenni toward psychological collapse. The film is famous for its tongue‑in‑cheek opening warning that the movie is so frightening it “may kill you,” promising a free burial for anyone who dies of fright.
Film Details
Title: The Screaming Skull
Year: 1958
Genre: Horror / Psychological Thriller
Director: Alex Nicol
Writer: John Kneubuhl (screenplay), based on the short story The Screaming Skull by Francis Marion Crawford
Producer: John Kneubuhl
Starring:
John Hudson as Eric Whitlock
Peggy Webber as Jenni Whitlock
Russ Conway as Rev. Edward Snow
Alex Nicol as Mickey
Cinematography: Floyd Crosby
Editing: Betty J. Lane
Music: Ernest Gold
Production Company: Madera Productions, Inc.
Distributed by: American International Pictures
Release Date: August 1958
Runtime: 68 minutes
Country: United States
Language: English
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