admittedly not big box-office but good quality performers,


Dunno about that. HOUSE OF WAX did unbelievable business when it opened, making it to #2 that year, as I recall (THE ROBE surpassed it, but technically all of the profits for that film was made the following year after it went into a general release at Christmas time). Both films were prestigious in nature from a technical aspect and that's what sold audiences on them, more than the story-- both horror and religious epics were considered passé at the time.

And likewise, CURSE OF FRANKENSTEIN was boffo at the box office, but I would chalk that up to the sensational aspect of horror and blood in color.