Steven graduated Cum Laude from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Mass Communications, focusing on film studies, journalism and theatre arts. Dubbed a "prolific" writer by Hollywood icon Kenneth Johnson (The Incredible Hulk, V, The Bionic Woman, Alien Nation), Steven has been honored by the Arkansas College Media Association for his story writing prowess. He has also received recognition for his dramatic writing from the Eerie, Shriekfest and Screamfest horror film festivals. Publications include: Carroll County News, Saline Courier, Forum, Echo and Moroch.

CASTLE'S 'MACABRE,' HORROR MOVIE MARATHON tomorrow on TCM

Posted Tuesday, March 3, 2015, at 4:09 PM

William Castle perfected the brilliant marketing strategy of gimmicks in the late 1950s and 1960s to accompany his scary movies.

Tomorrow, Turner Classic Movies follows up its 31 Days of Oscar with a mini horror movie marathon, which features the first gimmick-filled feature film by the king of promotions William Castle -- "Macabre" (1958).

Castle was an orphan that dropped out of high school to work in the theater. He made his Broadway debut, at the age of 15, as an actor, in 1929. Three years later, Castle was directing actor Bela Lugosi in a theatrical production of "Dracula" on Broadway.

Mr. Castle began working in film and radio in 1937. But it wasn't until he began making independent motion pictures, forming his own production company in 1955, that he gained the moniker "King of the Gimmicks." Castle mortgaged his home to make his first venture titled "Macabre," which was the first of his movies to employee his brilliant marketing strategies.

Castle said that "Macabre was "so terrifying we insure you for $1,000 against death by fright!" Castle's first ever gimmick was giving every customer a certificate for a $1,000 life insurance policy from the Lloyd's of London.

The policy had to be signed by moviegoers, in case they were scared to death, literally, during the film. Castle even had nurses in the lobbies and hearses parked outside the venues showing the picture.

Check out the T.V. listing below for all of tomorrow's horror films, including Castles' "Macabre."

5 a.m. - "A Bucket of Blood" (1959)

6:15 a.m. - "Macabre" (1958)

7:45 a.m. - "The Brain That Wouldn't Die." (1962)

11 a.m. - "Dementia 13" (1963) Directed by Francis Ford Coppola

12:30 p.m. - "The Last Man on Earth" (1964) Star Vincent Price

2 p.m. - "Spider Baby" (1964) Stars Lon Chaney Jr.

3:30 p.m. - "Equinox" (1970)

5 p.m. - "Night of the Lepus" (1972) Stars Janet Leigh