Herk Harvey

Directing

Herk Harvey

Born 1924-06-03 · Fort Collins, Colorado, USA

Harold Arnold "Herk" Harvey (June 3, 1924 – April 3, 1996) was an American film director, actor, and film producer. Harvey is best known for his sole feature film, Carnival of Souls, a low budget 1962 horror film starring Candace Hilligoss. It was produced and directed by Harvey for an estimated $33,000. Harvey had witnessed the recent success of Elmer Rhoden Jr. and fellow industrial filmmaker Robert Altman in producing low-budget feature films in nearby Kansas City, and began to secure backing from local investors in order to mount a similar project in Lawrence. While returning to Kansas after shooting a Centron film in California, Harvey developed the idea for Carnival of Souls after driving past the abandoned Saltair Pavilion in Salt Lake City, Utah. Hiring an unknown New York actress, Lee Strasberg-trained Hilligoss, and otherwise employing mostly local talent, Harvey shot Carnival of Souls in three weeks, on location in Lawrence and Salt Lake City, using a script penned by Centron associate John Clifford. Harvey also played an uncredited role as the film's most prominent "ghoul." Originally marketed as a B film and released by an upstart distribution company that quickly went bankrupt, Carnival of Souls never gained widespread public attention upon its original release but today has become hailed as a cult classic. Set to an organ score by Gene Moore, Carnival of Souls relies more on atmosphere than on special effects to create its mood of psychological horror. The film has a large cult following, built up primarily via late-night television screenings, and has been released on DVD by the Criterion Collection (complete with a host of special features, including an hour of excerpts from Harvey's Centron productions). To this day, the movie is still discussed by film buffs and occasionally has screenings at Halloween and art film festivals.

Acting credits

Carnival of Souls poster
6.9

Mary Henry ends up the sole survivor of a fatal car accident through mysterious circumstances. Trying to put the incident behind her, she moves to Utah and takes a job as a church organist. But her fresh start is interrupted by visions of a fiendish man. As the visions begin to occur more frequently, Mary finds herself drawn to the deserted carnival on the outskirts of town. The strangely alluring carnival may hold the secret to her tragic past.

Carnival of Souls

1962

Murder Ordained poster
5.0

This is the story of a minister who's feeling unhappy in his marriage who then has an affair with a church employee, who is also married, and who also has affairs, and whose husband is unwilling to divorce her. One day the minister's wife is found dead, in what appears to be an auto accident, but the highway patrolman who investigated the accident doesn't think that it's an accident but doesn't have enough evidence to justify an investigation. Later, when the woman's husband is killed an investigation begins.

Murder Ordained

1987

Star 34 poster
9.0

A young Eastern couple inherit a Kansas farm, on which they must reside for a certain time in order to qualify for inheritance. Their visits to well over a hundred scenic and historical points of Kansas lead the couple to permanent residence there.

Star 34

1954

No artwork available
8.0

An educational short film exploring the geography, culture, and daily life of South Korea. Produced by Centron and directed by Herk Harvey, it offers students a concise introduction to the country, highlighting its people, economy, and traditions.

Korea: Overview

1980

exposer poster
9.0

A man battling drug addiction is stalked by an ominous masked photographer.

exposer

2022

The Movie That Wouldn't Die! – The 'Carnival of Souls' Story poster
NR

Documentary about the making of the 1962 cult film "Carnival of Souls".

The Movie That Wouldn't Die! – The 'Carnival of Souls' Story

1998

No artwork available
7.0

A 1961 industrial film produced by Centron Corporation for Monsanto, illustrating modern herbicide methods and the fight against unwanted vegetation.

Operation Grass Killer

1961

Why Study Home Economics? poster
9.0

Two sisters are trying to decide which classes to take next semester. When one wants to take home economics, the other is stunned. Why should anyone need to study home economics?

Why Study Home Economics?

1955

No artwork available
2.2

Old short about the importance of good platform posture and how we can improve it through the simple knee test.

Speech: Platform Posture and Appearance

1949

Dance, Little Children poster
3.7

This public health drama follows a small town’s struggle as syphilis spreads among its young people. When local officials turn to the state health department for help, a field investigator steps in to trace the infection, interview those at risk, and ensure testing and treatment. Directed by Herk Harvey (later of Carnival of Souls), the film mixes education with stark warnings: after all, one bad date can change everything.

Dance, Little Children

1961

Case History of a Sales Meeting poster
NR

A satirical short film that humorously explores the absurdities of a corporate sales meeting. Through exaggerated interactions and miscommunications, the film highlights the challenges of decision-making and office dynamics in a comedic, insightful way.

Case History of a Sales Meeting

1963

What About School Spirit? poster
10.0

At a school social, Jim, a student at Lawrence High, proudly tells his cousin Sally about his school’s spirit. He recalls how enthusiasm once spiraled out of control—until Bob, the senior class president, stepped in to guide it in a more positive direction.

What About School Spirit?

1958

No artwork available
9.0

A lighthearted industrial short produced by Centron and directed by Herk Harvey, this film promotes the versatility and wholesome appeal of pork. Combining humor with mid-century marketing flair, it highlights pork as an ideal choice for the American dinner table.

Pork: The Meal with a Squeal

1963

What About Prejudice? poster
5.0

At East High, students resent the admission of Bruce—an unseen classmate their parents have warned them to avoid. But when an unexpected incident unfolds, they are forced to confront and reconsider their own prejudice.

What About Prejudice?

1959

Speech: Using Your Voice poster
3.3

An educational short film about correct speaking methods.

Speech: Using Your Voice

1950

Rebound! poster
NR

After losing his sight, Bob falls into despair—until a local institute helps him discover new abilities and reinterpret his life without vision.

Rebound!

1955

No artwork available
7.0

George is a dealthly dull after-dinner speaker who thinks he's great because he keeps getting invited to speak, probably because of a severe shortage of speakers in his town. John, however, is invited to speak because he's genuinely interesting. The difference between the two? John uses gestures when he speaks, while George just stands there like a mannequin and drones on and on and on.

Speech: The Function of Gestures

1949

No artwork available
9.0

Barbara and her family move into a new neighborhood, and Barbara tries to make friends with her new neighbors. However, soon she realizes that no one wants anything to do with her. She can't understand why, until one day she overhears two of the local girls talking about Barbara's problem: she had bad manners!

Manners in Public

1958

Behind the camera

Carnival of Souls poster
6.9

Mary Henry ends up the sole survivor of a fatal car accident through mysterious circumstances. Trying to put the incident behind her, she moves to Utah and takes a job as a church organist. But her fresh start is interrupted by visions of a fiendish man. As the visions begin to occur more frequently, Mary finds herself drawn to the deserted carnival on the outskirts of town. The strangely alluring carnival may hold the secret to her tragic past.

Carnival of Souls

1962

Carnival of Souls poster
6.9

Mary Henry ends up the sole survivor of a fatal car accident through mysterious circumstances. Trying to put the incident behind her, she moves to Utah and takes a job as a church organist. But her fresh start is interrupted by visions of a fiendish man. As the visions begin to occur more frequently, Mary finds herself drawn to the deserted carnival on the outskirts of town. The strangely alluring carnival may hold the secret to her tragic past.

Carnival of Souls

1962

The Griper poster
10.0

Betty Ann, a perky high school student, is friends with George, a dour sort who is always complaining about life. Betty Ann's friends can't see how she can hang with a "wet blanket" like George, and eventually Betty finds herself more and more taking on George's attitude.

The Griper

1954

Star 34 poster
9.0

A young Eastern couple inherit a Kansas farm, on which they must reside for a certain time in order to qualify for inheritance. Their visits to well over a hundred scenic and historical points of Kansas lead the couple to permanent residence there.

Star 34

1954

The Gossip poster
8.0

Jean, a popular high schooler running for Pep Club president, suddenly finds her best friend Laura turning against her. The rift stems from Frieda, a classmate spreading malicious gossip that threatens Jean’s reputation and friendships.

The Gossip

1955

The Procrastinator poster
8.0

Pretty, bright high school student Jean is in no hurry to start her homework - not when she has comic books and the radio to keep her occupied. Her mother is tired of Jean's procrastination.

The Procrastinator

1952

Cindy Goes to a Party poster
7.0

Cindy, a 12-year-old tomboy, is devastated when she learns that she hasn't been invited to a neighborhood birthday party. That night in bed, her fairy godmother visits her, tells her enough with this tomboy baloney, gives her a frilly new party dress and some rules on how proper young girls are to behave at parties.

Cindy Goes to a Party

1955

No artwork available
8.0

An educational short film exploring the geography, culture, and daily life of South Korea. Produced by Centron and directed by Herk Harvey, it offers students a concise introduction to the country, highlighting its people, economy, and traditions.

Korea: Overview

1980

Why Study Industrial Arts poster
4.0

A high school student really likes his shop class...perhaps a bit too much!

Why Study Industrial Arts

1956

A Life to Save poster
NR

When elderly Mary Wilkens falls ill, her husband grows suspicious of Dr. Jacksburg’s questionable treatments. With the help of a trusted physician and the American Medical Association, the truth emerges: Jacksburg is a fraudulent doctor with a revoked license. Mary’s testimony ultimately shuts down his clinic and exposes his dangerous practices.

A Life to Save

1954

Responsibility poster
7.0

In a student council election deadlock, the principal holds the deciding vote between Lloyd, the model of responsibility, and Hank, a reckless troublemaker. Turning to the audience, he asks which candidate they would choose—reminding them that true leadership requires being capable, educated, and responsible.

Responsibility

1953

No artwork available
7.0

A 1961 industrial film produced by Centron Corporation for Monsanto, illustrating modern herbicide methods and the fight against unwanted vegetation.

Operation Grass Killer

1961

Why Study Home Economics? poster
9.0

Two sisters are trying to decide which classes to take next semester. When one wants to take home economics, the other is stunned. Why should anyone need to study home economics?

Why Study Home Economics?

1955

What About Juvenile Delinquency poster
2.8

A teen drops out of a gang when they mug his father for his pencil.

What About Juvenile Delinquency

1955

The Innocent Party poster
4.7

Don and Nicky head into the city, where a reckless night with two fast girls leaves Don with more than he bargained for. Pressuring his girlfriend Betty into sex, he unknowingly passes along a venereal disease. When the school doctor diagnoses him with syphilis, Don must face the shame of his actions and warn Betty—before it’s too late.

The Innocent Party

1959

The Trouble Maker poster
5.6

Mel, a high school student who thrives on gossip and stirring conflict, pushes his luck when he targets the school’s star quarterback. Faced with the backlash of loyal classmates, he may finally be forced to reckon with the harm his words cause.

The Trouble Maker

1959

Dance, Little Children poster
3.7

This public health drama follows a small town’s struggle as syphilis spreads among its young people. When local officials turn to the state health department for help, a field investigator steps in to trace the infection, interview those at risk, and ensure testing and treatment. Directed by Herk Harvey (later of Carnival of Souls), the film mixes education with stark warnings: after all, one bad date can change everything.

Dance, Little Children

1961

Your Junior High Days poster
6.0

This classroom guidance film eases seventh-graders into the realities of junior high. No longer the top students or star athletes, they must adjust to bigger challenges, shifting friendships, and greater independence. The message: fit in with your peers, follow the trends, and don’t forget your gym locker combination.

Your Junior High Days

1961

Case History of a Sales Meeting poster
NR

A satirical short film that humorously explores the absurdities of a corporate sales meeting. Through exaggerated interactions and miscommunications, the film highlights the challenges of decision-making and office dynamics in a comedic, insightful way.

Case History of a Sales Meeting

1963

No artwork available
9.0

In a classroom discussion on alcoholism, students debate its causes and consequences—dismissing alcoholics as wasteful or weak, yet struggling to agree on how they might return to responsible citizenship.

What About Alcoholism?

1956

What About School Spirit? poster
10.0

At a school social, Jim, a student at Lawrence High, proudly tells his cousin Sally about his school’s spirit. He recalls how enthusiasm once spiraled out of control—until Bob, the senior class president, stepped in to guide it in a more positive direction.

What About School Spirit?

1958

The Snob poster
5.5

Former childhood friends Sarah Inman and Ron Johnson have drifted apart in high school. Ron hosts open parties every Friday, but Sarah never attends, preferring to stay home with her homework and dismissing her classmates—especially popular class president Bill Tyler—as shallow. Her aloofness has earned her a reputation as a snob, though she doesn’t realize it. When Ron reluctantly invites her at his mother’s urging, Sarah agrees to go, setting the stage for a clash between her world of isolation and Ron’s world of popularity.

The Snob

1958

No artwork available
9.0

A lighthearted industrial short produced by Centron and directed by Herk Harvey, this film promotes the versatility and wholesome appeal of pork. Combining humor with mid-century marketing flair, it highlights pork as an ideal choice for the American dinner table.

Pork: The Meal with a Squeal

1963

What About Prejudice? poster
5.0

At East High, students resent the admission of Bruce—an unseen classmate their parents have warned them to avoid. But when an unexpected incident unfolds, they are forced to confront and reconsider their own prejudice.

What About Prejudice?

1959