MR SARDONICUS (1961) 

• Director: William Castle
• Featured gimmick: Punishment Poll!
• Cast: Oscar Homolka, Ronald Lewis, Audrey Dalton, Guy Rolfe
• Film: 89mins | USA | Subtitles | Intermission
• Event: 20:45 – 23:15 [18+]

Cult film night BAR TRASH continues our 13th sensational season — SCREAM FOR YOUR LIVES! — with our latest recreation of one of The King of Horror’s theatrical gimmicks, William Castle’s MR SARDONICUS (1961) complete with its original Punishment Poll!

“During the running of this most unusual film, you the movie-goer — right in your seat! — have an opportunity to decide the fate of the evil Mr Sardonicus.”

Gothic chiller MR SARDONICUS was one of William Castle’s faves, a story of a man whose face becomes frozen in a horrifying grin after robbing his father’s grave to obtain a winning lottery ticket. Castle claimed in his autobiography ‘Step Right Up! I’m Gonna Scare the Pants Off America’ that the studio regarded the original ending as too grim and wanted him to reshoot it, proposing a ‘more merciful’ alternative ending. This inspired him to suggest polling the audience at each show to choose their preferred ending: MERCY or NO MERCY. 

Just like in 1961, every patron will receive a FREE ‘thumbs up/thumbs down’ polling card, re-printed exclusively for this limited engagement at Genesis Cinema. Your card will ‘glow-in-the-dark’ to let our projectionist know which ending you want to see. Please remember to insert your polling card into the patented ‘Activator Booth’ in the foyer before taking your seat.

Polite notice: We are showing MR SARDONICUS with subtitles from the best available digital source. EVERY patron attending this screening will receive a FREE ‘glow-in-the-dark’ polling card to direct the ending of the film. Please do not – under any circumstances! – lick or attempt to eat your polling card.

/// BAR TRASH is a celebration of cult and curious cinema, hosted by queer film fanatic Token Homo and friends. Films are served with introductions, intermissions, prize giveaways, and subtitles / captions where possible. Tickets from £3.50 + fees. Adults 18+ only. Follow @tokenhomo on Instagram for updates. ///