Image quality: Although the previously released films-to-DVD are stated as being 'remastered' - this is a term that is easily thrown around and can mean very little. I already owned the single-layered Strait-Jacket with Joan Crawford and the image quality actually looks about the same despite the chronologically newer transfer. So, as these are all shared with another feature - we can consider each of them single-layered and not especially improved upon the previous DVD editions. The Tingler and Homicidal look quite good, the contrast on 13 Ghosts and Zotz! looks a little suspect, Straight-Jacket had some visible noise but overall despite some chroma - I'd say that these are all completely watchable. Certainly not pristine transfers but despite a move to Blu-ray - these aren't going to look dramatically superior. The modest appearance of these 8 films on digital is really no surprise. Sony's come-ons are the three previously unreleased (on DVD), the documentary - and getting them all in one package.

Audio was acceptable if unremarkable. It was consistent and clear enough but the dialogue is not supported with any subtitles which is a surprise as, I believe the individual DVD editions did have optional English, French, Portuguese or Spanish.

The supplements on the first 4 discs seem to duplicate the previously released films-to-DVD with some minor new material and content for the Zotz! (1962) - original trailer, 13 Frightened Girls! (1963) - alt-openings, The Old Dark House (1963) - original trailer. These are good though are stealing a bit of thunder from the 5th disc documentary - which you may want to see first. What may be new (I don't own all the older DVDs to be absolutely positive) is Season 1, Episode 19 of Ghost Story entitled Graveyard Shift with Patty Duke and John Astin and a cameo by Castle as the aged studio head. The Magic of Illusion-O, Battle-Axe: The Making of Strait-Jacket, Scream For Your Lives: William Castle and The Tingler, Psychette: William Castle and Homicidal and the Joan Crawford Wardrobe Tests, Axe Tests, the alternate Country and Drive-In scenes - mostly made for further promotion - are all interesting. None are overly long and, at least, worth a peek.

The award-winning, hour-twenty two minute, 2007 - Spine Tingler! The William Castle Story documentary is great and where a lot of the shorter featurettes steal their content. It also offers a separate optional commentary track with Producer/Director Jeffrey Schwarz and Terry Castle for those who can't get enough (like moi). It focuses heavily on details like Joan Crawford's domination of Strait-Jacket and the Castle-produced Rosemary's Baby.  It has Diane Baker, daughter Terry, John Waters, Roger Corman, Leonard Maltin and many more with archive footage discussion of the impresario by Roman Polanski, Vincent Price and others. It's just great.

There was never anyone like William Castle. His finger was definitely on an entire era's movie-going pulse. For anyone who has seen Joe Dante's wonderful 'Matinee' from 1993 (a film I strongly recommend!) - they will know that John Goodman's character is a direct homage to Bill Castle.

Some of these films are wonderful enjoyment and I question any true film fans who would look down their nose at movies like The Tingler (1959), Homicidal (1961), Strait-Jacket (1964) and Mr. Sardonicus (1961) - they are pure entrainment. Cheesy - SURE - but they really define a time when one man's films were sneakily reaching out to embrace the public. You can really get an appreciation by watching the included Spine Tingler! The William Castle Story. Castle was dismissed by critics but adored by film-goers.

Despite the majority of the films in this package having been on DVD previously - the overall cost makes good financial sense for those who are just getting into the director/producer's oeuvre. You get 8 films and a feature length documentary for less than $60 (less than $7/each). We can complain that Sony are scrimping and not including films like "Macabre" - but I think this is a fabulous introduction to the director which will surely build more demand for his work like Shanks (1974), Project X (1968), Let's Kill Uncle (1966) or The Night Walker (1964). Let's hope for a Volume 2 !!