Mr. Sardonicus premieres in New York City in 1961. The William Castle film is a horror morality tale and the audience is asked to participate in a “punishment poll” near the end of the film with a glow-in-the-dark card showing a thumb up or thumb down to determine the fate of the villain. Only the thumb down ending was ever shot.
This Day in Halloween: William Castle's horror morality tale "Mr. Sardonicus" premieres in New York City in 1961. / Illustration by Allison Jimenez