43 reviews
Have I got a story for you. Three actually.
From the team who brought us "Trilogy of Terror" comes a follow-up TV produced three part anthology by writer Richard Matheson and director / producer Dan Curtis. Not to be confused with the 1945 version with the same title (which is also an anthology), this TV feature was going to be a pilot for an up and coming TV series that didn't eventuate. The three stories that have been picked are all rather different in tone. Honestly the first two tales really do pale in comparison with the last one and if this one weren't tact on it would be quite a mediocre film. Curtis' sturdy direction is fine, without over-doing anything, but maybe could have used bit more spruce. Although saying that he comes into his own in the final story. Each story (adapted from Henry James' story) written by Matheson has its nice little touch and imaginative edge, but again it's the final one that only clicks and stands-out. There's no real wrap-around story holding these tales together, but it opens with quite an atmospheric beginning to kick off proceedings.
1/ "Second Chance" - (20 minutes) A young man buys an old vintage 1926 Jordan car, which he restores, every single feature, including the original number plates. He takes it out for a drive on an old back road and then finds himself transported back to 1926.
There's nothing horrifying about this one, but there's a "Twilight Zone" spin on the material and how things play out. Rather slow-moving and sappy with Ed Begley Jr.'s musty narration adding to the ponderous pace in this stop and go affair. The robust music score was kinda off, but it was exceptionally well shot. Curtis seems to be directing from the script. It's not bad and has an endearing stroke to it, but its quite uneventful and far from intriguing. This one feels rather misplaced compared with the other two. I can't knock that this isn't a smart little fantasy, but it doesn't grip you either.
2/ "No Such Thing as a Vampire" - (20 minutes) A professor living in a mansion in the eastern Europe with his wife, finds out that his wife has bite marks on her neck. He doesn't believe in vampires, but his superstitious servants and the surrounding village think otherwise. A doctor is called in to see her and he notices that the husband also has marks on his neck.
This broodingly unusual mystery is a tightly drawn up one idea concept and is shaped by its Victorian settings. It's more suggestive in its set-up and has things going on behind the scenes to throw you off course. Instead it gets rather clunky with a payoff that comes as quite a let down. Not that it wasn't good, just that I was expecting something more from this enliven mystery. Patrick Macnee is good in his sly performance, Elisha Cook Jr. equally so as superstitiously uptight servant. Horst Buchoiz and Anjanette Cormer are reasonably sound. The atmosphere is very bleak and is rallied up by the foreboding music score and flowing photography.
3/ "Bobby" - (30 minutes) A lady is staying alone in a beach house, while her husband is on a business trip. So during one stormy night she decides to perform a magic ritual to hopefully bring back her dead son who accidentally drowned. Nothing happens for a while, but then she hears a knock on the door and there sits a shivering and soaking-wet Bobby.
Now this is more like it! Haunting, creepy and truly disquieting is the key to this one. This dark little item was indeed captivating by consistently tightening the screws with controlled suspense and lingering on some spine-tingling images. Curtis paces it briskly and milks it out nicely with sweeping camera movements and a selectively alienating music score. The distinct performances are very impressive by Joan Hackett and Lee H. Montgomery. Montgomery is downright eerie and Hackett is truly fitting as the unhinged mother. It made great use of clichéd devices, like the thunderstorm to generate atmosphere. The close quarters made it thrillingly taut with its encroaching shadows and quiet air. The mind-snapping premise has that ambiguous build up too it and plays around with that feeling where things aren't what they seem, like the second one. This one does leave a lasting impression with its genuinely macabre conclusion.
I guess one out of three ain't bad, but again if it wasn't for the splendour packed final segment it wouldn't be worth your time in tracking it down. Still it's worth it if do happen to come by it.
1/ "Second Chance" - (20 minutes) A young man buys an old vintage 1926 Jordan car, which he restores, every single feature, including the original number plates. He takes it out for a drive on an old back road and then finds himself transported back to 1926.
There's nothing horrifying about this one, but there's a "Twilight Zone" spin on the material and how things play out. Rather slow-moving and sappy with Ed Begley Jr.'s musty narration adding to the ponderous pace in this stop and go affair. The robust music score was kinda off, but it was exceptionally well shot. Curtis seems to be directing from the script. It's not bad and has an endearing stroke to it, but its quite uneventful and far from intriguing. This one feels rather misplaced compared with the other two. I can't knock that this isn't a smart little fantasy, but it doesn't grip you either.
2/ "No Such Thing as a Vampire" - (20 minutes) A professor living in a mansion in the eastern Europe with his wife, finds out that his wife has bite marks on her neck. He doesn't believe in vampires, but his superstitious servants and the surrounding village think otherwise. A doctor is called in to see her and he notices that the husband also has marks on his neck.
This broodingly unusual mystery is a tightly drawn up one idea concept and is shaped by its Victorian settings. It's more suggestive in its set-up and has things going on behind the scenes to throw you off course. Instead it gets rather clunky with a payoff that comes as quite a let down. Not that it wasn't good, just that I was expecting something more from this enliven mystery. Patrick Macnee is good in his sly performance, Elisha Cook Jr. equally so as superstitiously uptight servant. Horst Buchoiz and Anjanette Cormer are reasonably sound. The atmosphere is very bleak and is rallied up by the foreboding music score and flowing photography.
3/ "Bobby" - (30 minutes) A lady is staying alone in a beach house, while her husband is on a business trip. So during one stormy night she decides to perform a magic ritual to hopefully bring back her dead son who accidentally drowned. Nothing happens for a while, but then she hears a knock on the door and there sits a shivering and soaking-wet Bobby.
Now this is more like it! Haunting, creepy and truly disquieting is the key to this one. This dark little item was indeed captivating by consistently tightening the screws with controlled suspense and lingering on some spine-tingling images. Curtis paces it briskly and milks it out nicely with sweeping camera movements and a selectively alienating music score. The distinct performances are very impressive by Joan Hackett and Lee H. Montgomery. Montgomery is downright eerie and Hackett is truly fitting as the unhinged mother. It made great use of clichéd devices, like the thunderstorm to generate atmosphere. The close quarters made it thrillingly taut with its encroaching shadows and quiet air. The mind-snapping premise has that ambiguous build up too it and plays around with that feeling where things aren't what they seem, like the second one. This one does leave a lasting impression with its genuinely macabre conclusion.
I guess one out of three ain't bad, but again if it wasn't for the splendour packed final segment it wouldn't be worth your time in tracking it down. Still it's worth it if do happen to come by it.
- lost-in-limbo
- Feb 8, 2007
- Permalink
Good TV Anthology Film.
Dan Curtis gives us another effective film, told in a trio of stories.
First has Ed Begley Jr. as a young man whose love of a car sends him on an intriguing time-travel excursion that, while not original, is at least satisfying.
Second has Patrick Macnee in a period piece as a husband worried over his fear that his wife is the victim of a vampire. Film has a clever twist that you may not see coming...
Third tale called 'Bobby' is by far the best, reminiscent of "Trilogy Of Terror" in how it tells the scary tale of a guilt-ridden mother who turns to the supernatural to resurrect her drowned son, a decision she comes to regret horribly...tense and effective, with a hair-raising final scene that will not be soon forgotten, after seen...
First has Ed Begley Jr. as a young man whose love of a car sends him on an intriguing time-travel excursion that, while not original, is at least satisfying.
Second has Patrick Macnee in a period piece as a husband worried over his fear that his wife is the victim of a vampire. Film has a clever twist that you may not see coming...
Third tale called 'Bobby' is by far the best, reminiscent of "Trilogy Of Terror" in how it tells the scary tale of a guilt-ridden mother who turns to the supernatural to resurrect her drowned son, a decision she comes to regret horribly...tense and effective, with a hair-raising final scene that will not be soon forgotten, after seen...
- AaronCapenBanner
- Aug 22, 2013
- Permalink
"Bobby" doesn't disappoint
I'd read countless statements and a few reviews stating that the 3rd segment here; "Bobby" amounts to what is the most frightening 30 minutes of television horror and scared many ****less when first viewed. Of course; for jaded horror viewers today, that kinda' statement can't possibly hold up. But; I watched "Bobby" (and the rest of "Dead Of Night") a few moments ago and "Bobby" doesn't disappoint.
"Bobby" is a very atmospheric episode. The tone is immediately set when the mother calls upon dark forces to return her son, Bobby, home. A few moments later Bobby returns and pretty soon it's clear he's not the way she remembered him. What follows is a cat and mouse game, extremely well played out, tense and quite frightening with one hell of an ending.
The other episodes of "Dead of Night", quite frankly, pale in comparison. "Second Chance" is a uneventful story about time travel with a twist in the end that justifies what's gone on before but little more than that. "No Such Thing as a Vampire" is a well acted little mystery, again, with an OK twist but rather slow and lacks any suspense.
"Dead of Night" will only be remembered for "Bobby" and, at the meager age of 36 years old, the episode still packs a punch. At it's basic core it's a frightening concept and with a running time of less than half an hour there's more tension and shock value to be found here than in many feature films.
Is it good value to recommend something that's only 1/3 good? In this case; I'd have to say Yes.
"Bobby" is a very atmospheric episode. The tone is immediately set when the mother calls upon dark forces to return her son, Bobby, home. A few moments later Bobby returns and pretty soon it's clear he's not the way she remembered him. What follows is a cat and mouse game, extremely well played out, tense and quite frightening with one hell of an ending.
The other episodes of "Dead of Night", quite frankly, pale in comparison. "Second Chance" is a uneventful story about time travel with a twist in the end that justifies what's gone on before but little more than that. "No Such Thing as a Vampire" is a well acted little mystery, again, with an OK twist but rather slow and lacks any suspense.
"Dead of Night" will only be remembered for "Bobby" and, at the meager age of 36 years old, the episode still packs a punch. At it's basic core it's a frightening concept and with a running time of less than half an hour there's more tension and shock value to be found here than in many feature films.
Is it good value to recommend something that's only 1/3 good? In this case; I'd have to say Yes.
"Bobby" is the best of the three
I saw this movie when it originally aired in 1977. I was only a little intrigued with the first two stories, but it was the third, "Bobby," that gave me nightmares for years. Joan Hackett is excellent (as usual) as Bobby's mother, and Lee Montgomery is equally good as a boy who goes from sweet victim to hellish tormenter. When I saw it again in '82, I was older of course and more cynical, but I found the ending just as frightening as it was the first time I watched it. Damn scary for a T.V. movie, and worth watching when Halloween rolls around!
An enjoyable 70s horror/fantasy trilogy
If you enjoy Twilight Zone and Night Gallery, this fine made-for-TV anthology will be right up your alley. It consists of three stories that each hit a different spot on the TZ spectrum, all with screenplays by horror/fantasy veteran Richard Matheson.
1. Second Chance. Ed Begley, Jr. plays a student who rebuilds an old car, which takes him back in time with unexpected results. This is one of those gentle, "what if" episodes that TZ did so well. Don't expect any scares. The original story is by Jack Finney, who wrote two memorable novels on the subject of time travel, and also the classic "Invasion of the Body Snatchers."
2. No Such Thing as a Vampire features a post-Steed Patrick Macnee as a doctor whose wife is suffering from the symptoms of vampire attacks. This has some scary moments and a very clever ending that would have felt at home on TZ or Alfred Hitchcock Presents.
3. Bobby is the story of a woman who can't cope with the loss of her young son, so she does everything in her power - including occult power - to bring him back. As anyone knows, you always get more than you bargain for when you make deals with the devil! This segment has a stalking terror element that may remind you of Matheson's "devil doll" segment in the earlier "Trilogy of Terror."
Of course, there are goofs, and 70s production values (day-for-night photography, etc.). Also awful 70s shag carpets and very obvious stunt doubles. But it's still loads of fun to watch and holds up well. The DVD has loads of extras, including 36 music cues by Dark Shadows composer Robert Cobert, deleted scenes, and a complete, 50-minute pilot called "Dead of Night" that Dan Curtis pitched to ABC back in 1969. You can also Dan Curtis doing a pretty decent Rod Serling impression in his guide track for the opening narrator.
1. Second Chance. Ed Begley, Jr. plays a student who rebuilds an old car, which takes him back in time with unexpected results. This is one of those gentle, "what if" episodes that TZ did so well. Don't expect any scares. The original story is by Jack Finney, who wrote two memorable novels on the subject of time travel, and also the classic "Invasion of the Body Snatchers."
2. No Such Thing as a Vampire features a post-Steed Patrick Macnee as a doctor whose wife is suffering from the symptoms of vampire attacks. This has some scary moments and a very clever ending that would have felt at home on TZ or Alfred Hitchcock Presents.
3. Bobby is the story of a woman who can't cope with the loss of her young son, so she does everything in her power - including occult power - to bring him back. As anyone knows, you always get more than you bargain for when you make deals with the devil! This segment has a stalking terror element that may remind you of Matheson's "devil doll" segment in the earlier "Trilogy of Terror."
Of course, there are goofs, and 70s production values (day-for-night photography, etc.). Also awful 70s shag carpets and very obvious stunt doubles. But it's still loads of fun to watch and holds up well. The DVD has loads of extras, including 36 music cues by Dark Shadows composer Robert Cobert, deleted scenes, and a complete, 50-minute pilot called "Dead of Night" that Dan Curtis pitched to ABC back in 1969. You can also Dan Curtis doing a pretty decent Rod Serling impression in his guide track for the opening narrator.
- LCShackley
- Aug 20, 2010
- Permalink
Dead of Night: better than Trilogy of Terror as a whole, but still a very uneven collection of tales.
Dead of Night is one of those legendary TV anthologies that tends to haunt the memory of anyone who saw it when they were young and impressionable, but like Trilogy of Terror, that 'other' fondly remembered anthology from director Dan Curtis and writer Richard Matheson, it's just one story out of the three that really warrants the attention.
The first story, 'Second Chance', is a rather charming time-twister of a tale which sees Ed Begley Jr. taking a trip into the past in his restored classic car and inadvertently saving the life of its original owner. It's well told and well acted, and contains a clever Twilight Zone-style twist at the end (not at all surprising since Matheson penned many an episode for Rod Serling's classic series) but this fantasy is just a little too gentle to sit comfortably as part of this collection.
Tale two, 'No Such Thing As A Vampire', has Patrick Macnee playing a jealous professor who exploits local superstition about vampires to do away with his wife's lover. Too far fetched to take seriously and a tad predictable, this is the least memorable tale of the trio.
As was the case with Trilogy of Terror's unforgettable Zuni Fetish Doll, the best is saved for last: 'Bobby' is a well crafted and genuinely scary occult story that stars Joan Hackett as a distraught mother who resorts to black magic to try and bring back her late son Bobby from the dead. Of course, meddling with dark forces is never a good idea and Bobby's mum learns a little too late that she should be careful what she wishes for. Atmospheric and very eerie, with a really creepy turn by Lee Montgomery as Bobby and a killer of a finalé, this is best watched alone in the dark on a stormy night for maximum effect.
The first story, 'Second Chance', is a rather charming time-twister of a tale which sees Ed Begley Jr. taking a trip into the past in his restored classic car and inadvertently saving the life of its original owner. It's well told and well acted, and contains a clever Twilight Zone-style twist at the end (not at all surprising since Matheson penned many an episode for Rod Serling's classic series) but this fantasy is just a little too gentle to sit comfortably as part of this collection.
Tale two, 'No Such Thing As A Vampire', has Patrick Macnee playing a jealous professor who exploits local superstition about vampires to do away with his wife's lover. Too far fetched to take seriously and a tad predictable, this is the least memorable tale of the trio.
As was the case with Trilogy of Terror's unforgettable Zuni Fetish Doll, the best is saved for last: 'Bobby' is a well crafted and genuinely scary occult story that stars Joan Hackett as a distraught mother who resorts to black magic to try and bring back her late son Bobby from the dead. Of course, meddling with dark forces is never a good idea and Bobby's mum learns a little too late that she should be careful what she wishes for. Atmospheric and very eerie, with a really creepy turn by Lee Montgomery as Bobby and a killer of a finalé, this is best watched alone in the dark on a stormy night for maximum effect.
- BA_Harrison
- Oct 23, 2011
- Permalink
DEAD OF NIGHT (TV) (Dan Curtis, 1977) ***
Horror anthologies have been a staple since the Silent days; ironically, this particular one shares its name with perhaps the most celebrated example in movie history – the 1945 Ealing film (another fine movie so entitled is Bob Clark's 1974 cult zombie flick actually better-known as DEATHDREAM!). Anyway, director Curtis had already tried his hand at the form with the popular TRILOGY OF TERROR (1975; TV), which had intended showcasing the versatility of its star i.e. Karen Black. Though some bemoaned the fact that here only the last segment was really scary, the very opening narration states that we would be seeing a tale of Mystery, another of Imagination and, well, just one of outright Terror! Incidentally, all three were scripted by genre expert Richard Matheson, with the second episode adapted from one of his own stories, the third an original and the first inspired by the writings of Jack (INVASION OF THE BODY SNATCHERS) Finney.
"Second Chance": this actually has the feel of a "Twilight Zone" with car fanatic Ed Begley Jr. buying a scrap of metal (the remnant of an automobile-against-train accident from 50 years before) who restores the vehicle to its original state. When he tries it out on the road, he begins to unaccountably pass by a number of similarly-vintage cars and soon realizes that he has been caught in a time warp and effectively gone back to the mid-1920s! Emerging from the car to check out his surroundings, it is stolen shortly thereafter, even if he does try to stop the thief's flight (though pedestrians he meets assure him that that reckless driver did in fact own a car like it). He goes to sleep by the porch of some house and finds himself once again in his own time, later meeting a girl from school he was sure he had never seen before; when she introduces him to her family, he is surprised to learn that not only is the girl's grandfather a car aficionado as well but he actually still owns one from his youth and it turns out to be the very same vehicle he himself restored, so that, by way of the three-second delay that it took him to intervene, the accident that claimed the life of the man and his female companion was miraculously averted!
"No Such Thing As A Vampire": this is more typical fare (down to the classical Transylvanian setting), but it still provides a sting in the tail – Patrick Macnee is a doctor whose wife (Anjanette Comer) seems to have fallen victim to a bloodsucker. The townsfolk are naturally terrorized, but the protagonist's butler actually happens to be a vampire hunter (played by Elisha Cook Jr.!). Still, the attacks persist and Macnee sends for his friend (Horst Buchholz) – the former gives him a lowdown of the recent events whilst sipping tea, but the guest begins to feel drowsy and loses consciousness after a while. It transpires that Buchholz was having an affair with the doctor's spouse, and the latter took advantage of local superstition to exact his revenge – indeed, he puts Buchholz in a coffin in the attic and smears his lips with a trickle of blood extracted from Comer and then, to complete the illusion, rouses Cook to locate and destroy the vampire via the traditional stake-in-the-heart!
"Bobby": like the famous Zuni Doll segment from TRILOGY OF TERROR, the best episode is left for last – interestingly, this draws both from it (a woman is terrorized in her remotely-located home by a strange presence) and from the afore-mentioned DEATHDREAM (a mother resorts to the occult to have her dead son restored to life). In fact, we first find Joan Hackett chalking a large symbolic circle on the floor by which to invoke the Forces of Darkness. In the meantime, she has spoken to her husband on the phone about how she is coping with their son's tragic demise in a drowning accident. Eventually, the boy does turn up knocking on the front door and complaining of the extreme cold (apparently, his body was never retrieved). His mother takes him inside and purports to treat her kid to his favorite food, but he suddenly turns hostile and knocks the plate off the table! His aggressive behavior continues to escalate and he even denounces the woman for her possessiveness – the boy demands that she play a game of hide-and-seek with him which grows more and more threatening, as he attacks her with a knife and even breaks the windshield of her car when, terrorized, she takes shelter inside it. She decides to call her husband for help but the man's voice is listless until she realizes that the wires have been cut and that the boy is on the other line himself! In the end, the kid throws his mother down the stairs and confesses to not wanting to come back because he hates her and, in fact, he sent a demon in his place (with the child's countenance now acquiring terrifying features)!
There is no doubt that the last section is the most effective here but the ones that preceded it, providing nostalgia and inventiveness in equal measures, make for more than adequate (and thankfully varied) build-up.
"Second Chance": this actually has the feel of a "Twilight Zone" with car fanatic Ed Begley Jr. buying a scrap of metal (the remnant of an automobile-against-train accident from 50 years before) who restores the vehicle to its original state. When he tries it out on the road, he begins to unaccountably pass by a number of similarly-vintage cars and soon realizes that he has been caught in a time warp and effectively gone back to the mid-1920s! Emerging from the car to check out his surroundings, it is stolen shortly thereafter, even if he does try to stop the thief's flight (though pedestrians he meets assure him that that reckless driver did in fact own a car like it). He goes to sleep by the porch of some house and finds himself once again in his own time, later meeting a girl from school he was sure he had never seen before; when she introduces him to her family, he is surprised to learn that not only is the girl's grandfather a car aficionado as well but he actually still owns one from his youth and it turns out to be the very same vehicle he himself restored, so that, by way of the three-second delay that it took him to intervene, the accident that claimed the life of the man and his female companion was miraculously averted!
"No Such Thing As A Vampire": this is more typical fare (down to the classical Transylvanian setting), but it still provides a sting in the tail – Patrick Macnee is a doctor whose wife (Anjanette Comer) seems to have fallen victim to a bloodsucker. The townsfolk are naturally terrorized, but the protagonist's butler actually happens to be a vampire hunter (played by Elisha Cook Jr.!). Still, the attacks persist and Macnee sends for his friend (Horst Buchholz) – the former gives him a lowdown of the recent events whilst sipping tea, but the guest begins to feel drowsy and loses consciousness after a while. It transpires that Buchholz was having an affair with the doctor's spouse, and the latter took advantage of local superstition to exact his revenge – indeed, he puts Buchholz in a coffin in the attic and smears his lips with a trickle of blood extracted from Comer and then, to complete the illusion, rouses Cook to locate and destroy the vampire via the traditional stake-in-the-heart!
"Bobby": like the famous Zuni Doll segment from TRILOGY OF TERROR, the best episode is left for last – interestingly, this draws both from it (a woman is terrorized in her remotely-located home by a strange presence) and from the afore-mentioned DEATHDREAM (a mother resorts to the occult to have her dead son restored to life). In fact, we first find Joan Hackett chalking a large symbolic circle on the floor by which to invoke the Forces of Darkness. In the meantime, she has spoken to her husband on the phone about how she is coping with their son's tragic demise in a drowning accident. Eventually, the boy does turn up knocking on the front door and complaining of the extreme cold (apparently, his body was never retrieved). His mother takes him inside and purports to treat her kid to his favorite food, but he suddenly turns hostile and knocks the plate off the table! His aggressive behavior continues to escalate and he even denounces the woman for her possessiveness – the boy demands that she play a game of hide-and-seek with him which grows more and more threatening, as he attacks her with a knife and even breaks the windshield of her car when, terrorized, she takes shelter inside it. She decides to call her husband for help but the man's voice is listless until she realizes that the wires have been cut and that the boy is on the other line himself! In the end, the kid throws his mother down the stairs and confesses to not wanting to come back because he hates her and, in fact, he sent a demon in his place (with the child's countenance now acquiring terrifying features)!
There is no doubt that the last section is the most effective here but the ones that preceded it, providing nostalgia and inventiveness in equal measures, make for more than adequate (and thankfully varied) build-up.
- Bunuel1976
- Oct 11, 2011
- Permalink
Bobby alone makes this anthology film worth watching
This horror anthology film that was made for TV features three stories. The first, 'A Second Chance' stars Ed Begley Jr. as a young man who finds that his newly purchased antique car can travel in time. It's an interesting little tale reminiscent of The Twilight Zone, but it doesn't really have any place in a supposed horror film (even one that was made for TV.
The middle tale, 'no such thing as a vampire', stars Patrick Macnee as Dr. Gheria, a wealthy British man whose wife believe that she's been the victim of a vampire. Gheria naturally doesn't believe this preposterous notion at first, then Micheal comes to help.... This tale was better than the first one, but even though it is enjoyable enough and boosts a nice twist, it's still nothing that special.
Which brings as to the third, last & hands down best story in this movie, "Bobby", in which a long deceased boy is brought back to life via the dark magiks that his distressed, grief-stricken mother partakes in. She's jubilant to find him at her door, but things soon turn sour as he's different now & playing sadistic games with mommy dearest. For all the horror and tension that the first two stories lacked, this one makes up for it....in spades. Lee Montgomery is suitably frightening as the titular Bobby and it remains one of the best short horrors ever made for American TV (now if only the first two parts were even half as good)
My Grade: B+
DVD Extras: deleted/extended from the 'no such thing as a vampire' segment; alternate intro vioceovers; Music score highlights; the unaired 1968 pilot episode of 'Dead of Night' (A Darkness at Blaisedon); & a photo gallery
The middle tale, 'no such thing as a vampire', stars Patrick Macnee as Dr. Gheria, a wealthy British man whose wife believe that she's been the victim of a vampire. Gheria naturally doesn't believe this preposterous notion at first, then Micheal comes to help.... This tale was better than the first one, but even though it is enjoyable enough and boosts a nice twist, it's still nothing that special.
Which brings as to the third, last & hands down best story in this movie, "Bobby", in which a long deceased boy is brought back to life via the dark magiks that his distressed, grief-stricken mother partakes in. She's jubilant to find him at her door, but things soon turn sour as he's different now & playing sadistic games with mommy dearest. For all the horror and tension that the first two stories lacked, this one makes up for it....in spades. Lee Montgomery is suitably frightening as the titular Bobby and it remains one of the best short horrors ever made for American TV (now if only the first two parts were even half as good)
My Grade: B+
DVD Extras: deleted/extended from the 'no such thing as a vampire' segment; alternate intro vioceovers; Music score highlights; the unaired 1968 pilot episode of 'Dead of Night' (A Darkness at Blaisedon); & a photo gallery
- movieman_kev
- Jan 28, 2009
- Permalink
Dead of Night: Below average horror anthology
From Dan Curtis the creator of the Trilogy of Terror movies comes another horror anthology movie and it's best anthology (Of what I've seen) that he did, though that's not saying much.
The first tale stars Ed Begley Jr in a car themed time travel effort which is perfectly charming but certainly isn't a horror therefore out of place here.
The second stars Avengers (1961) leading man Patrick Macnee in a tale called "No Such Thing as a Vampire" but is there? Fairly clever stuff, though nothing to write home about.
The third tells the story of a woman who using the dark arts resurrects her dead son, but he doesn't come back quite the same. Interestingly Curtis remade this for Trilogy of Terror 2 scene for scene and unless I'm too much mistaken used the same audio track for the kid.
If you like the Trilogy of Terror films you may enjoy this, for me I found it very underwhelming.
The Good:
First story is charming
The Bad:
First story isn't a horror
Ridiculous blood color
The first tale stars Ed Begley Jr in a car themed time travel effort which is perfectly charming but certainly isn't a horror therefore out of place here.
The second stars Avengers (1961) leading man Patrick Macnee in a tale called "No Such Thing as a Vampire" but is there? Fairly clever stuff, though nothing to write home about.
The third tells the story of a woman who using the dark arts resurrects her dead son, but he doesn't come back quite the same. Interestingly Curtis remade this for Trilogy of Terror 2 scene for scene and unless I'm too much mistaken used the same audio track for the kid.
If you like the Trilogy of Terror films you may enjoy this, for me I found it very underwhelming.
The Good:
First story is charming
The Bad:
First story isn't a horror
Ridiculous blood color
- Platypuschow
- Mar 31, 2019
- Permalink
Lovely tribute to "The Twilight Zone"!
Obviously made with love and care, "Dead of Night" is a movie consisting of three tales that is obvious tribute to "The Twilight Zone". First one about a car that can travel to the past is entertaining, albeit without horror aspect. Second tale is about a woman tormented by a vampire and it has a great atmosphere, but in my opinion never goes where you want it to go. Third one, later reused in "Trilogy of Terror II", about a mother and her resurrected son, is great and offers great performance and great creepy vibes. For a simple TV movie, "Dead of Night" is an excellent piece of entertainment and great watch for fans of the genre and casuals alike. I give it 7.5/10!
- markovd111
- Sep 1, 2022
- Permalink
The dead of night
is a state of mind!
I have a lot of love for director Dan Curtis and for the movies he made during the 1970s, particularly his made-for-TV movies and horror anthologies. He was responsible for some of the most modest yet delightfully entertaining genre outings back then, like the vampire epic "House of Dark Shadows" (based on his own cult-series) and the infamous "Trilogy of Terror" (featuring a segment with Karen Black versus a crazed Zumi doll). For this relatively unknown "Dead of Night", Curtis had the honor and pleasure – I presume – to work with the acclaimed writer Richard Matheson ("I Am Legend") who penned down three versatile short stories of – and I quote the narrator – mystery, imagination and terror! Admittedly all the stories are mundane and tame, but they are charming and the overall movie definitely isn't boring. When browsing through the other user- comments around here it seems that most of my fellow fans prefer the last segment, but I respectfully disagree because I found "Bobby" the most predictable and derivative of the three. Personally I've seen too many full-length films or omnibus segments in which a devastated relative desperately attempts to bring a loved one back from the dead – through whatever method – only to come to the obvious conclusion that doing so is a very bad idea and has painful consequences. No, in fact, my favorite segment is the (also predictable) opening segment "Second Chance" in which old-timer car fanatic Frank (Ed Begley Jr.) buys – for a miserable $100 – and restores an awesome Jordan Playboy that was involved in an accident that killed two people back in 1926. During its first ride, however, the Jordan somehow drives Frank all the way back into time as if it wants to restart its own life-cycle. "Second Chance" is a fantasy/fairy-tale instead of a suspense story and doesn't feature a single drop of blood or moment of tension, but it's likable and nostalgic. The segment in the middle is called "No such thing as a Vampire" and is primarily worth checking out for its cast that contains names like Patrick MacNee, Elisha Cook Jr. and Horst Buchholz. Is there a vampire on the loose in the mysterious old Gheria castle and is he stalking the lady of the house Alexis? The superstitious townsfolk avoids the place like hell, but the truth might not be so supernatural after all. "Dead of Night" might just be the most forgettable movie I watched this year, but at least I don't regret it.
One of my favorite TV movies
Dan Curtis is awesome for the few of you who don't already know that. This wonderful made-for-TV anthology horror film is further proof of his awesomeness. The movie opens with a piece that is actually not a horror story. It's a lovely fantasy about a man (Ed Begley Jr.) with a love for classic cars who rebuilds a Jordan Playboy roadster and somehow drives it back in time to 1926. I love this opening story so much. I have a special place in my heart for nostalgic stories like Somewhere in Time and Walking Distance and this reminds me of those. Gentle, leisurely paced, romantic time travel tales get me every time. Plus any movie that shows proper respect and love for the Playboy and its iconic advertisements is aces in my book.
The second story is a fun one. I won't spoil it for you but it stars Patrick Macnee and Elisha Cook, Jr. and centers around a woman being targeted by a vampire. This segment is the shortest but thankfully so since the plot is pretty thin. The third and final story is a nerve-wracking one about a grieving mother turning to black magic to bring back her dead son. It's basically one of those "be careful what you wish for" stories. Joan Hackett gives a gripping performance as the mom and young Lee Montgomery is pretty creepy as the son. It's intense stuff. This is likely going to be the favorite segment for most viewers as it's the only one that's truly horror. But as I said the first one is my personal favorite.
Overall Dead of Night is another feather in the cap of the great Dan Curtis. Despite being mostly limited to television he did more for onscreen American horror in the 1970s than pretty much any other filmmaker. Some may have had more important single films but he had the most consistent output. This is one of his more underrated efforts and I would recommend anyone who enjoys his other work check it out. In my opinion it's even better than his more famous anthology, Trilogy of Terror.
The second story is a fun one. I won't spoil it for you but it stars Patrick Macnee and Elisha Cook, Jr. and centers around a woman being targeted by a vampire. This segment is the shortest but thankfully so since the plot is pretty thin. The third and final story is a nerve-wracking one about a grieving mother turning to black magic to bring back her dead son. It's basically one of those "be careful what you wish for" stories. Joan Hackett gives a gripping performance as the mom and young Lee Montgomery is pretty creepy as the son. It's intense stuff. This is likely going to be the favorite segment for most viewers as it's the only one that's truly horror. But as I said the first one is my personal favorite.
Overall Dead of Night is another feather in the cap of the great Dan Curtis. Despite being mostly limited to television he did more for onscreen American horror in the 1970s than pretty much any other filmmaker. Some may have had more important single films but he had the most consistent output. This is one of his more underrated efforts and I would recommend anyone who enjoys his other work check it out. In my opinion it's even better than his more famous anthology, Trilogy of Terror.
If it weren't for the first two parts, this might have been a 10!
- mark.waltz
- Jul 8, 2020
- Permalink
Pilot portmanteau
- BandSAboutMovies
- Dec 7, 2018
- Permalink
another cool Matheson-Curtis 70s flick!
This is pretty cool!Richard Matheson and Dan Curtis(NIGHT STALKER,SCREAM OF THE WOLF)again collaborate.This was a failed pilot for a proposed tv series,but the movie can be enjoyed for what it is.There are 3 tales here,with "Bobby",the 3rd story,being the most chilling.Worth a look.
- staytherelass
- Aug 27, 2002
- Permalink
Heeeere's Billy! Two duds and the genuinely impressive gem that more than makes up for them.
- Foreverisacastironmess123
- Mar 14, 2017
- Permalink
An Anthology of Supposed Horror Tales
Summary taken from IMDb.Com: This anthology tells three stories: a man (Ed Begley, Jr.) buys a car that takes him back and forth through time; a tale of vampires; and a distraught mother asks for her drowned son to come back to life and gets more than she bargained for.
This film comes to us from director Dan Curtis and writer Richard Matheson. If you're not familiar with Matheson's name, you are missing out. His work with Roger Corman adapting Poe stories is legendary, he's the genius behind the various "I Am Legend" adaptations (and the original story) as well as other work (notably "Stir of Echoes"). Curtis is also a veteran horror director and his work ("Trilogy of Terror") is now classic in its own right.
This collection starts off slow, with a time-traveling car. The story itself has no horror elements to speak of, but is interesting just the same. Those who like science fiction or time travel tales will be in love, though I don't suggest thinking too hard or you might find some serious plot holes.
The second tale is weak, and offers little more than a buffer. While it certainly fits into the horror genre (it is about vampires, after all), there's not much of a story to tell. Perhaps if it had been expanded to feature length, but as is the story just doesn't seem to go anywhere and we don't get to know any of the characters well enough to care about them. If you're short on time, skip this middle section.
The third and final section also happens to be the best without a doubt. Called "Bobby", it is a variation on the old "Monkey's Paw" story where a mother wishes her son back from the dead (not unlike Bob Clark's "Dead of Night", coincidentally), with not so amazing results. The difference here is that instead of wishes or prayers, the mother turns to black magic. I can't say I was scared by this story, though I rarely am. I can say, however, that this might terrify other people. The mother's performance was respectable, and the boy's was downright chilling. If you watch only one section, watch this one. It will burn into your memory.
Dark Sky Films is fast becoming my favorite film distributor, bringing back old classics or films that time forgot. They're bringing back some impressive editions, and "Dead of Night" is no exception. The DVD includes another almost feature-length story on it worth seeing, and plenty of bonus features that have never been seen before by audiences. With horror being somewhat disappointing lately, it's great to see a company devoted to make the best years even better upon their return.
This film comes to us from director Dan Curtis and writer Richard Matheson. If you're not familiar with Matheson's name, you are missing out. His work with Roger Corman adapting Poe stories is legendary, he's the genius behind the various "I Am Legend" adaptations (and the original story) as well as other work (notably "Stir of Echoes"). Curtis is also a veteran horror director and his work ("Trilogy of Terror") is now classic in its own right.
This collection starts off slow, with a time-traveling car. The story itself has no horror elements to speak of, but is interesting just the same. Those who like science fiction or time travel tales will be in love, though I don't suggest thinking too hard or you might find some serious plot holes.
The second tale is weak, and offers little more than a buffer. While it certainly fits into the horror genre (it is about vampires, after all), there's not much of a story to tell. Perhaps if it had been expanded to feature length, but as is the story just doesn't seem to go anywhere and we don't get to know any of the characters well enough to care about them. If you're short on time, skip this middle section.
The third and final section also happens to be the best without a doubt. Called "Bobby", it is a variation on the old "Monkey's Paw" story where a mother wishes her son back from the dead (not unlike Bob Clark's "Dead of Night", coincidentally), with not so amazing results. The difference here is that instead of wishes or prayers, the mother turns to black magic. I can't say I was scared by this story, though I rarely am. I can say, however, that this might terrify other people. The mother's performance was respectable, and the boy's was downright chilling. If you watch only one section, watch this one. It will burn into your memory.
Dark Sky Films is fast becoming my favorite film distributor, bringing back old classics or films that time forgot. They're bringing back some impressive editions, and "Dead of Night" is no exception. The DVD includes another almost feature-length story on it worth seeing, and plenty of bonus features that have never been seen before by audiences. With horror being somewhat disappointing lately, it's great to see a company devoted to make the best years even better upon their return.
Not bad collection of fantastic tales.
From two legends, writer Richard Matheson and TV producer / director Dan Curtis, comes this decent three part anthology. It's slick, and entertaining, but doesn't really represent their best work. For the most part, the writing is uninspired. The movie has some twists up its sleeve, but they won't come as any great shock to the viewer. Curtis' efficient direction and the efforts of a solid cast help to keep things watchable. There is no connecting thread, but there is a narrator at the outset to set us up for the (mild) thrills and chills to come.
An appealing Ed Begley Jr. headlines 'Second Chance' as Frank, a young man whose hobby is restoring old cars. One day, he purchases a 1926 Jordan Playboy, and when he takes it for a spin, he is magically transported back to the year 1926. As is usually the case for tales such as this, he learns that his actions in the past will have consequences for the future. If there is a weak link here, it's this segment, scripted by Matheson from Jack Finney's story. It's very likable, to be sure, but has no real impact when it's over.
'No Such Thing as a Vampire' is a period piece starring Patrick Macnee as Dr. Gheria, who has a young bedridden wife played by Anjanette Comer. She lives in mortal fear of a vampire, and the frustrated doctor must call upon a character named Michael (Horst Buchholz) to come in and deal with the problem. Definitely more clever and macabre than 'Second Chance', this segment does come up with an amusing twist ending. Matheson scripted from his published story.
The best is saved for last with the flat-out horror show 'Bobby', an original by Matheson. Joan Hackett plays a grieving, unnamed mother who uses black magic to resurrect her son Bobby (Lee H. Montgomery) who drowned months ago. Needless to say, she comes to regret this decision, as the kid is now decidedly strange and soon begins to terrorize her. Some good suspense and creepiness here, in a section that falls back on that old reliable horror trope of a dark and stormy night. The ending is fun.
E. J. Andre, Ann Doran, Christina Hart, and Elisha Cook Jr. all give fine supporting performances, and both the music by Bob Cobert and cinematography by Ric Waite are excellent.
While this isn't anything special, lovers of the 1970s TV terror genre will want to see it for completions' sake.
Six out of 10.
An appealing Ed Begley Jr. headlines 'Second Chance' as Frank, a young man whose hobby is restoring old cars. One day, he purchases a 1926 Jordan Playboy, and when he takes it for a spin, he is magically transported back to the year 1926. As is usually the case for tales such as this, he learns that his actions in the past will have consequences for the future. If there is a weak link here, it's this segment, scripted by Matheson from Jack Finney's story. It's very likable, to be sure, but has no real impact when it's over.
'No Such Thing as a Vampire' is a period piece starring Patrick Macnee as Dr. Gheria, who has a young bedridden wife played by Anjanette Comer. She lives in mortal fear of a vampire, and the frustrated doctor must call upon a character named Michael (Horst Buchholz) to come in and deal with the problem. Definitely more clever and macabre than 'Second Chance', this segment does come up with an amusing twist ending. Matheson scripted from his published story.
The best is saved for last with the flat-out horror show 'Bobby', an original by Matheson. Joan Hackett plays a grieving, unnamed mother who uses black magic to resurrect her son Bobby (Lee H. Montgomery) who drowned months ago. Needless to say, she comes to regret this decision, as the kid is now decidedly strange and soon begins to terrorize her. Some good suspense and creepiness here, in a section that falls back on that old reliable horror trope of a dark and stormy night. The ending is fun.
E. J. Andre, Ann Doran, Christina Hart, and Elisha Cook Jr. all give fine supporting performances, and both the music by Bob Cobert and cinematography by Ric Waite are excellent.
While this isn't anything special, lovers of the 1970s TV terror genre will want to see it for completions' sake.
Six out of 10.
- Hey_Sweden
- Feb 21, 2016
- Permalink
Not The Best Movie, But Worth It
Like most anthologies, Dead of Night tries to have something for everyone which will, inevitably, leave some audience members preferring certain segments over other ones. In this film's case, we're stick with two duds out of three, but one story is so excellent that it's worth suffering through the others just to get to it.
Dan Curtis also made Trilogy of Terror which, for all of its classic status, is also similarly uneven with two lackluster tales and one finale kicker. People don't remember the other two stories, but they'll never forget that creepy Zuni doll. In Dead of Night, you'll never forget Bobby.
Bobby is the story of a grieving mother (Joan Hackett) who uses black magic to bring her dead son back to life with terrifying results. It's a 30 minute exercise in true fear and tension and it's stunning to me that Curtis had this in him where he seemed to be phoning in the other segments. The final shot is absolutely unforgettable and terrifying.
Dan Curtis also made Trilogy of Terror which, for all of its classic status, is also similarly uneven with two lackluster tales and one finale kicker. People don't remember the other two stories, but they'll never forget that creepy Zuni doll. In Dead of Night, you'll never forget Bobby.
Bobby is the story of a grieving mother (Joan Hackett) who uses black magic to bring her dead son back to life with terrifying results. It's a 30 minute exercise in true fear and tension and it's stunning to me that Curtis had this in him where he seemed to be phoning in the other segments. The final shot is absolutely unforgettable and terrifying.
- carolinephillips-47427
- Jul 13, 2019
- Permalink
ok but not fantastic.
The first film was the nicest of the three films in this anthology. It was a bit fantasy but not horror. The second was a disappointment. I'm still wondering what people have put out in the doors and windows because there isn't anything to see. The third was a horror. Most 70's films are insensitive and the third story was quite sad then it turned insane. Ok to watch during a rainy evening,
- nightroses
- Feb 27, 2022
- Permalink
Uneven, but worth your time
Dead of Night
3 tales of fantasy and horror. An old car gives a man a second chance in life, a husband fights against a vampire trying to take his wife and a woman brings her dead son back to life.
Perfectly reasonable, yet unremarkable anthology film. Oddly, the horror element at the end impresses the least.
Perfectly reasonable, yet unremarkable anthology film. Oddly, the horror element at the end impresses the least.
Enjoyable anthology outing
- Woodyanders
- Jan 25, 2016
- Permalink
Really good anthology
Dead of Night (1977)
Another horror anthology movie, I did get confused with the 1945 version with the same title (which is also an anthology), (I was hoping to see that one), I should read the first review first.
First story, I was watching on my Phone, While I was on the Bus, as the movie is on you tube.
Second Chance" I not sure think of this story, it did make me think for few hours after wards ,I liked how the story flowed.
This man buys classic car and fix up and then takes for Drive only find out that he as somehow went back in time.
While back time, The Car he was driving is taken by someone, who he tries stop, soon walks back and then wake up , Knowing he back in really time.
He falls love with Girl he never noticed before (That was first hint) Which I didn't get at the time but as the story went, it made more sense.
I thought this was very decent story, it wasn't scary at all but It' did make we think and the acting was really good.
Next story No Such Thing as a Vampire"
(I hope I don't sound like broken record, As you know i am not big fan vamps movie)
Patrick Macnee as a doctor whose wife is suffering from the symptoms of vampire attacks.
I found this story decent, there were some cool decent and creepy moment in this short that made really well.
The music in this segment was okay as it added bit more creepy feel to the story and I really enjoyed how the story came to a end
Bobby - (This is where Trilogy of terror 2 got this from) This is was lot more slowly paced then ^ Movie named there and it did have bit more creepy feel to it.
I liked how they try not show the face of kids though out the segment, it makes it feel a lot more darker,
I loved end of this short, now that is what you call decent Demon face, as that looks at more scary, then end of Trilogy of terror 2 Bobby segment.
7 out of 10
Another horror anthology movie, I did get confused with the 1945 version with the same title (which is also an anthology), (I was hoping to see that one), I should read the first review first.
First story, I was watching on my Phone, While I was on the Bus, as the movie is on you tube.
Second Chance" I not sure think of this story, it did make me think for few hours after wards ,I liked how the story flowed.
This man buys classic car and fix up and then takes for Drive only find out that he as somehow went back in time.
While back time, The Car he was driving is taken by someone, who he tries stop, soon walks back and then wake up , Knowing he back in really time.
He falls love with Girl he never noticed before (That was first hint) Which I didn't get at the time but as the story went, it made more sense.
I thought this was very decent story, it wasn't scary at all but It' did make we think and the acting was really good.
Next story No Such Thing as a Vampire"
(I hope I don't sound like broken record, As you know i am not big fan vamps movie)
Patrick Macnee as a doctor whose wife is suffering from the symptoms of vampire attacks.
I found this story decent, there were some cool decent and creepy moment in this short that made really well.
The music in this segment was okay as it added bit more creepy feel to the story and I really enjoyed how the story came to a end
Bobby - (This is where Trilogy of terror 2 got this from) This is was lot more slowly paced then ^ Movie named there and it did have bit more creepy feel to it.
I liked how they try not show the face of kids though out the segment, it makes it feel a lot more darker,
I loved end of this short, now that is what you call decent Demon face, as that looks at more scary, then end of Trilogy of terror 2 Bobby segment.
7 out of 10
Made for TV Anthology