Black Noon

I recently watched the horror western Black Noon (1971) on Tubi. The storyline follows a reverend whose wife falls ill during their journey across the desert as they head to their new home. Forced to seek refuge in a small town until his wife recovers, the reverend is asked to speak at the local church. Miraculous events unfold as he speaks, leading the townsfolk to implore him to stay and continue aiding them. Meanwhile, the reverend's wife grows increasingly suspicious of the sinister forces at play.

Directed by Bernard Kowalski (Stiletto), Black Noon stars Roy Thinnes (Airport 1975), Yvette Mimieux (The Time Machine), Gloria Grahame (In a Lonely Place), Ray Milland (Dial M for Murder), Leif Garrett (The Outsiders), and Lynn Loring (Horror at 37,000 Feet).

This movie evokes the atmosphere of a feature-length Twilight Zone episode. While it starts with a slow, methodical setup, it excels in establishing the characters, the town, and the circumstances that draw the reverend into the unfolding events. Although the acting isn't extraordinary, the authentic settings, attire, and props contribute to the film's immersive feel. The climax of Black Noon is truly captivating. With a clever twist and a magnificent ending at the church, it couldn't have been executed better. The reveal at the end is reminiscent of a classic Twilight Zone episode, leaving viewers mesmerized by the revelation of what was truly happening all along.

In conclusion, Black Noon is a must-see for patient horror movie fans who appreciate films from this era. I would rate it 7.5/10 and strongly recommend it.

One of my sci-fi/horror/fantasy reviews written 50 years ago: Directed by Bernard L. Kowalski; Produced and Written by Andrew J. Fenady for Screen Gems, broadcast by CBS TV. Photography by Keith Smith; Edited by Dann Cahn; Music by George Duning. Starring Roy Thinnes, Yvette Mimieux, Lyn Loring, Ray Milland, Gloria Grahame, Henry Silva and Hank Worden.

Interesting made-for-TV horror feature, which, in the tradition of Fenady's curious "Rawhide" episodes, emphasizes the supernatural within a familiar Western format, up until some last minute plot slippage. The film is very effective as a combo "Curse of the Undead" and "The Brotherhood of Satan", exploring devil worship, voodoo, wild dream sequences, and stark good versus evil confrontations. Especially fine is Silva portraying evil personified as a Paladin-dressed gunfighter.

Whenever people ask me to name the scariest movie I've ever seen, I invariably reply "Black Noon" and to this day nobody's ever heard of it.

I watched it alone some 30 years ago at the tender age of 13 when my parents had gone out for the evening. As far as I know its only ever been shown once in the UK and sadly is unavailable on DVD or VHS.

If anyone can trace a copy please let me know.

If I watched it again now it would probably be a big disappointment but it has always stuck in my memory as a particularly disturbing little film!

I too watched "Black Noon" as a ten-year-old in the States on ABC's "Movie of the Week". In particular, Hank Worden, as old Joseph, really scared the hell out of me as a kid.

It's possible that if I were to view it now as an adult (having watched many creepy movies since then, like "Carnival of Souls", "Rosemary's Baby", and "The Shining", it may not stand up to the creepy memories I have of this movie. But I'd love to get the chance to see for myself!

ABC produced a couple of high quality films for their "Movie of the Week" series. Some better than others. "Crowhaven Farm" was actually the scariest of them all. Hope Lange as an unwitting victim amongst a secret coven of witches was so chilling.

Seared in my memory, though probably not as scary as the above two mentioned "Movies of the Week" would be "The House on Greenapple Road" (with a young Eve Plumb as the young daughter in a brutally bloody scene in the kitchen) and "The House That Wouldn't Die" with Barbara Stanwyck. Also, I vaguely remember another "Movie of the Week" with Lesley Ann Warren, Peter Haskill, and Ryan Hope. Pretty good, though not truly as scary as "Black Noon" or "Crowhaven Farm".

One other last "Movie of the Week" I remember was "Maybe I'll Come Home in the Spring" with Sally Field. Kind of hooky, not at all scary, but I do remember enjoying it as a young girl.

I cannot believe how unknown this movie is,it was absolutely incredible. The ending alone has stuck with me for almost thirty years. The road sign through the rearveiw mirror blew me away. If you liked "RACE WITH THE DEVIL" you will love this movie