13 Ghosts opens across the U.S. in 1960. The William Castle haunted house horror film is known mostly for one of Castle’s trademark gimmicks to enhance and promote the film. Audiences at the larger theaters could see the ghosts — or not, depending on which pair of “Illusion-O” glasses they chose to wear. For audience members who didn’t get the glasses, they could see the ghosts just fine without them. The film was a hit, and was remade in 2001.
This Day in Halloween: William Castle's haunted house horror film "13 Ghosts" opens across the U.S. in 1960. / Illustration by Deanna Lim