What 1962 film directed by Herk Harvey is a cult horror classic?

What 1962 film directed by Herk Harvey is a cult horror classic? Carnival of Souls is the answer.

The film follows Mary Henry, played by Candace Hilligoss, whose life changes after surviving a car accident. She moves to a new city but feels increasingly detached from ordinary life and becomes drawn toward an abandoned carnival pavilion. Herk Harvey also appears as the eerie, silent figure who stalks her.

Harvey was an industrial-film director based in Lawrence, Kansas, and made the feature for approximately $33,000. He was inspired by the abandoned Saltair Pavilion near Salt Lake City, where much of the film’s striking imagery was shot. The story was written by John Clifford and was loosely influenced by An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge.

Carnival of Souls was initially released as a low-budget double feature in 1962 and attracted little attention. Late-night television screenings and renewed festival interest in the 1980s helped establish its cult reputation. It is especially remembered for its organ score, stark photography, dreamlike atmosphere, and psychological horror rather than graphic effects. It was Harvey’s only feature film.