John Clifford, a native of Springfield, Illinois, was suddenly uprooted from his childhood home and forced to relocate to Chicago following the tragic and life-altering loss of his parents. This unforeseen and devastating event left him with no choice but to reside with his relatives in a new and unfamiliar city, a drastic change that would undoubtedly have a profound impact on his life.
Despite his fervent and unwavering aspirations to pursue a career as a writer, Clifford felt a sense of trepidation and intimidation wash over him as he contemplated the daunting task of crafting anything more substantial and meaningful than a simple joke. This feeling of inadequacy and self-doubt led him to explore alternative creative avenues, a decision that would ultimately prove to be a pivotal turning point in his early career.
Clifford's decision to venture into the realm of joke writing proved to be a wise and successful one, as he was able to sell his material to the renowned radio comedian Ken Murray. This significant milestone marked a major breakthrough in his career, and paved the way for future opportunities and successes.
Clifford's academic achievements culminated in a significant milestone, paving the way for a new and exciting chapter in his professional journey. He secured a coveted position at Centron Films, a highly respected organization based in Lawrence, Kansas, renowned for its impressive portfolio of expertise in producing a diverse array of high-quality educational and industrial films.
During the duration of his time at Centron, Clifford was afforded the distinctive privilege of collaborating with the company's director, Herk Harvey, a multifaceted and accomplished filmmaker whose discerning eye for narrative structure and pacing was unparalleled, allowing for the creation of a vast array of captivating and engaging cinematic experiences.
Clifford and Harvey, two visionary artists, converged their creative energies to craft a pioneering, low-budget horror masterpiece, "Carnival of Souls", a cinematic endeavour that would ultimately transmogrify into a cult phenomenon of unparalleled renown, captivating audiences worldwide with its eerie atmosphere, unsettling narrative, and haunting imagery.
The 1962 cult classic "Carnival of Souls" may have had a remarkably low production budget of merely thirty thousand dollars, yet its influence on the horror genre would be profound and enduring, largely due to the visionary direction and groundbreaking narrative approach of the film's creators, Clifford and Harvey.
