Thriller

Even tho I was about 8 years old at the time, I can still vividly recall this series, which used to scare the crap out me!

I especially remember (as mentioned by the other reviewer) the episode "the Hungry Glass"; MAN! Was it scary! If anyone knows where I can get a copy of this episode, PLEASE let me know!

Several years ago, several episoded were re-issued, but the only memorable ones were the one with William Shatner with the picture of the Grim Reaper, and the one about the man who was buried alive. A disappointing collection.

I hope that they release MORE episodes in the future!

To this day, Karloff's brilliant 60's THRILLER ranks the highest. It also still scares all hell out of me. Do you need a more glowing recommendation than that?

Many of the excellent stories were taken from the 'Weird Tales' pulp magazines, and it was that rare case that the writer's adaptations actually surpassed the original bizarre plots. Usually, it's the opposite aggrevations. The notable authors consisted of Robert Bloch, Richard Matheson, Augest Derelith, Cornell ('Rear Window') Woolrich, John D. MacDonald ('Cape Fear'), Philip McDonald and Poe; etc. Also, Donald S. Sanford (the 'Outer Limit's' "The Guests" episode) wrote many outstanding scripts for the show. One was 'Ordeal of Dr. Cordell' as a pre-UNCLE Robert Vaughn appears as a scientist who gets exposed to a deadly nerve gas. He survives, but whenever he hears the sound of a bell, he goes beserk and commits brutal murders. The frightening ending in the bell tower is excruciating. Their only foray into Science-Fiction, complete with a dark and forboding 'Outer Limits' mood.

Other memorable episodes were:

1) THE CHEATERS - a Bloch tale about a pair of accursed eye glasses, and the devastating effects they have on those who put them on. A true paranoia excursion into hell.

2) THE GRIM REAPER - another Bloch story about a grusome painting that carries a deadly curse. Stars a 'pre-Kirk' William Shatner. A thoroughly chilling score from Jerry "Alien" Goldsmith.

3) WAXWORKS - Bloch again. A creepy wax museum of infamous murders may be responsible for a few grisly murders. Superb script is a clever blending of the film noir mystery crossed with the supernatural horror genres. A great performance from Oscar "Mr. Sardonicus" Homolka & a "pre-Tarzan" Ron Ely.

4) PIGEONS FROM HELL - scary Robert E. Howard story about two teenage brothers who end up having to spend the night in an old, deserted southern mansion. They soon learn the meaning of 'regret'.

I'll stop here, and encourage you to check out this haunting memorable show.

There's no doubt about it, that this show had some of the eeriest and most unsettling stories to ever be aired on network TV. However, it would (I feel), be naive to think this show was the best of its kind. Like other anthology shows of its genre (NIGHT GALLERY, THE TWILIGHT ZONE, etc.) it suffers from a hodgepodge of dull scripts, mixed in with some genuinely effective ones. While the good on this series could be really good, the weaker shows could be insufferably boring. As a horror/fantasy enthusiast, it's those shows which I enjoy the most from this series, but the non-horror, the crime "thriller"s, those are generally a disappointment.

That aside, the horror segments on this show are some of the best ever done for television. Very moody, atmospheric pieces, suitably filmed in black and white. I suppose one could say that this series is what THE TWILIGHT ZONE would have been like, had it been a horror show, or what NIGHT GALLERY would have been like, had it been in black and white. Boris Karloff introduces each segment, in his usual drawl, but although he does fairly well at that, he doesn't have quite the same eerie restraint that Serling had on his series'.

Among some of the better segments on this show, that I enjoy:

"The Weird Tailor": Extremely clever story, with perhaps the most chilling final moments of any of the THRILLER episodes.

"A Wig for Miss Devore": One of Patricia Barry's best roles, and one of THRILLER's best shows.

"The Remarkable Mrs. Hawk": Jo Van Fleet is great in this one, as is John Carradine. This plays like a dark comedy...twisted and fun.

"The Cheaters": Most remember the final moments from this episode, but the whole show is very well done.

Definitely a series worth checking out for horror fans, and those who appreciate quality television. It's a shame this series doesn't get enough of the credence it deserves. It's not perfect, but it's certainly not without its laurels.

This was one of the first television "horror anthology" shows. It came on before Twilight Zone and Night Gallery and Tales From The Crypt. Boris Karloff was a wonderful host. He probably scared more people then any other horror star in history. He hosted the show and also acted in it on occasion. I saw the episodes in syndication and didn't think they had aged at all. They had the highest quality horror writers turn out the best scripts and it clicked magnificently. One episode I remember was one with Dick York were Boris was a mad scientist and turned Dick's wife into a zombie before he could rescue her. The final scene showed him screaming in horror at the sight of his zombie bride. I saw that episode as a nine year old and it scared the bejesus out of me. Another episode was one called Yours Truly Jack The Ripper based on a short story by Robert Bloch (he's the man who wrote Psycho). It had a really neat twist at the end. They didn't use gory special effects on the show and a lot of big name stars got their start on it. They should put it out on video like they did with The Twilight Zone so a new generation can enjoy it and say "They don't do it like that anymore".

Never saw this series before I watched the DVD set, I was mostly impressed by it, though it took a awhile to find its way. It started out with crime "thrillers", which ranged from moderately interesting to instantly forgettable, though when it showcased horror, it really hummed, with presentations like 'The Hungry Glass', 'The Grim Reaper', & 'Pigeons From Hell' being the standouts.

Boris Karloff presented all 67 episodes, and was as effective a host for this, as Rod Serling was for "The Twilight Zone". Karloff was in my view the greatest horror film actor who ever lived, and appeared in several episodes, the best of which was 'The Incredible Doktor Markensen'.

Not as moralizing as "The Twilight Zone", this series was noticeably grimmer in tone, though wonderfully filmed in Black & White.

If you can get past the crime episodes, this is well worth viewing.