For today’s adventure into the world of televised horror, we have another episode of the Boris Karloff-hosted anthology series, Thriller!
In this episode, a concert pianist (Judith Evelyn) is haunted by visions of mysterious piano and the sound of someone playing. Is she losing her mind, is she being set up, or is her house truly haunted? This enjoyable episode was directed by actress Ida Lupino.
For tonight’s episode of the Boris Karloff-hosted anthology series Thriller, we have “The Grim Reaper!”
The Grim Reaper tells the story of a mystery writer (Natalie Schaefer) who purchases a painting of the grim reaper. She claims that she’s just bought the painting as a bit of an ironic joke but her nephew (William Shatner!) claims that the painting has a violent history. Everyone who has owned it has died. At first, Schaefer is dismissive of Shatner’s story. But then, blood appears on the reaper’s scythe.
This enjoyable and fun little episode was written by Robert Bloch of Psycho fame. It was originally broadcast on June 13th, 1961.
Enjoy!
In tonight’s episode of the Boris Karloff-hosted anthology series, Thriller, Edward Andrews plays a bookseller who discovers that his wife has numerous lovers. Fortunately, he has a collection of books that is just full of good ways to take care of the competition!
This episode was written by Robert Bloch and was based on his short story.
Enjoy the little tribute to the power of literature!
For tonight’s televised horror, here’s another episode the Boris Karoloff-hosted anthology series, Thriller!
This episode, Well of Doom, shows what happens when two demons kidnap two men on their way to a bachelor party and force them to slog across the moors, to a mysterious castle. This episode is full of atmosphere and it also features great work from Henry Daniell and Richard Kiel as the two demons.
Enjoy!
For tonight’s episode of televised horror, we have the tenth episode of the Boris Karloff-hosted anthology series, Thriller!
In this episode, Boris Karloff not just hosts but also plays the main role, a mentalist named Clayton Mace. Mace has always been a self-admitted fake but suddenly, he starts to have real visions, all dealing with the death of people that he knows. Even worse, his predictions keep coming true…
As we all know, Karloff’s was the best and he definitely elevated this episode!
Enjoy!
For tonight’s televised horror, we have another episode of the Boris Karloff-hosted anthology series, Thriller!
In this episode, a religious fanatic in a named Freitag (Martin Gabel) lives in a resort community and targets young people who he believes have failed to live up to his standards. His latest targets are played by Olive Sturgess and Richard Chamberlain. This is actually a rather grisly little episode. With its theme of religious hypocrisy, I can only imagine how people reacted when it was first aired on November 1st, 1960.
Enjoy!
For tonight’s televised horror, we have The Purple Room, an episode of Thriller! This was an anthology series, which was hosted by Boris Karloff. Admittedly, Thriller was not always a horror show. Several of the episodes were crime stories that had a diabolical twist. But anything hosted by Boris Karloff is perfect for October viewing.
The Purple Room is the story of what happens when a skeptic (played by a young Rip Torn) learns that he must spend a year living in a house that may or may not be haunted. This episode is enjoyably creepy and, of course, it has a twist.
This episode originally aired on October 25th, 1960.
Tonight’s televised horror is another episode of the 2002 revival of The Twilight Zone.
In fact, it’s a sequel to a classic episode that aired during the show’s original run!
Remember that episode about the creepy little kid in Ohio who could read thoughts and mentally make just about anything happen? He wanted it to snow so it snowed and ruined the crops. He got mad at someone who drank too much so he turned the guy into a big jack-in-the-box. His aunt sang too much so he took away her mouth. That episode was called “It’s A Good Life.”
Well, It’s Still A Good Life catches up with that boy 41 years later. He’s still ruling that little town with an iron hand but now, he’s got a daughter. And she might have powers of her own…
Bill Mumy and Cloris Leachman both appeared in the original episode and they reprise their roles here.
Enjoy!
Tonight’s televised horror is another episode from the 2002 revival of The Twilight Zone!
In Night Route, Ione Skye nearly gets hit by a car and, afterward, finds herself haunted by visions of a mysterious bus. Featuring atmospheric direction from Jean de Segonzac and a good performance from Ione Skye, this episode of the Twilight Zone makes a nice companion piece to tomorrow’s horror on the lens!
Enjoy!
For today’s excursion into the world of televised horror, we have another adaptation of a Stephen King short story.
In The Revelations of Becka Paulson, Becka Paulson (Catherine O’Hara) accidentally shoots herself in the head and subsequently finds herself being spoken to by a photograph of a tuxedo-wearing man (Steven Weber). The photo has some suggestions as to how Becka can get out of her stifling marriage.
(In the original Stephen King short story — which he later adapted into a chapter of his novel The Tommyknockers — the talking photograph was a picture of Jesus.)
The Revelations of Becka Paulson originally aired on June 6th, 1997, as a part of Showtime’s The Outer Limits series. Steven Weber not only played the man in the tuxedo. He also directed this episode as well.
(The episode itself runs for 44 minutes. The video below has some extra stuff, including alternate takes and a scene that was cut out of the original broadcast, tacked onto the end.)
Enjoy!
Through the Shattered Lens 