I’ve written a lot about Saltair’s charm and history, but since it’s a crisp October Thursday I thought I’d tap the old resort’s spookier side.
Some of the best (and possibly only) extant video footage of Saltair before it was destroyed by fire in 1970 comes from the 1962 horror flick Carnival of Souls, starring the alarmingly buggy-eyed Candace Hilligoss. The movie features a young organist who takes a job in Salt Lake City. While there, she’s inexplicably drawn to the abandoned remains of Saltair II. Saltair makes several appearances throughout the movie, but the old place really shines at the movie’s climax.
I found the following clip on YouTube (hat tip: Brian Butko/Lincoln Highway News). It starts with Hilligoss’ character saying spooky things in her psychiatrist’s office before getting scared and driving out to Saltair. The Saltair footage starts at about 1:56 with Hilligoss driving the Saltair approach. If you’re into Saltair, you’ll love this. If you’re not, this low budget B-movie scene will at least amuse you and spark the spirit of Halloween. Enjoy
You can watch the entire movie on Hulu for free.
See previous Saltair blogging here.
October 15, 2009 at 3:10 pm
LOVE IT! Thanks for posting this!
Saltair continues to amaze and intrigue me, and I can’t get enough of it! Driving out there, there are so many whispers and a thickness in the air of ghosts and stories from the past waiting to be heard!
October 16, 2009 at 4:37 am
I still want to go out and see the remains some time. The one time I went with you it was muddy or something and everyone just waited out at the road for you.
October 16, 2009 at 3:58 pm
We should go again before it rains or snows too bad. I can’t remember why you guys stayed at the road.