Beginning with the 15th episode, Death's Head (1973), the television series title changed from "Ghost Story" to "Circle of Fear" and actor Sebastian Cabot's role as the host named Winston Essex was eliminated.
Contrary to popular belief, Circle Of Fear was no less supernatural or paranormal than Ghost Story. Featuring episodes with vampires (Elegy for a Vampire) and all manner of haunting activity. While Ghost Story had episodes that actually played down such fantastical horror elements, such as Creatures of the Canyon and Touch of Madness. Two episodes, which mostly dealt with psychotic pets and murderous relatives. The shows only real difference was a more surreal yet clinical and cerebral use of the genre to Circle Of Fear, with more 'shock' moments; as opposed to the sometimes faintly old fashioned Gothic mood and slower pace of Ghost Story, complimented by the Winston Essex character.
Two episodes of the series were included as bonuses in the 2009 DVD box set The William Castle Film Collection. On May 1, 2012, Sony released Ghost Story (a.k.a. Circle of Fear) - The Complete Series on DVD through its manufacture on demand (MOD) program.
The exterior shots at the beginning of the early episodes are of the Hotel del Coronado in Coronado, CA. This hotel is famous (or Infamous) for being one of the most haunted hotels in California.
Executive-produced by William Castle, 'Ghost Story' initially featured supernatural entities such as ghosts, vampires, and witches. By mid-season, low ratings led to a title change and a shift--for the most part--away from paranormal themes.
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