Mr. Sardonicus is a 1961 horror film produced and directed by William Castle. It tells the story of Sardonicus, a man whose face becomes frozen in a horrifying grin while robbing his father's grave to obtain a winning lottery ticket. Castle cited the film in his memoir as one of his favorites to produce.
Theatrical release poster
Advertisement from 1961
Guy Rolfe displays the torturous make-up used to transform him into Mr. Sardonicus.
William Castle was an American film director, producer, screenwriter, and actor.
William Castle with a fake cockroach, c. 1976
William Castle, director at Columbia Pictures (1946)
The Tingler, 1959: "Can You Take Percepto?"