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IMDbPro

The Norliss Tapes

  • TV Movie
  • 1973
  • 1h 12m
IMDb RATING
6.2/10
1.7K
YOUR RATING
Angie Dickinson and Roy Thinnes in The Norliss Tapes (1973)
Home Video Extra (Clip) from Anchor Bay Entertainment
Play trailer2:12
1 Video
25 Photos
Horror

An investigative reporter stumbles onto an artist that has made a pact to come back after his death to sculpt a statue of a demon using human blood and clay. Once the demon is awakened he wi... Read allAn investigative reporter stumbles onto an artist that has made a pact to come back after his death to sculpt a statue of a demon using human blood and clay. Once the demon is awakened he will be granted immortality.An investigative reporter stumbles onto an artist that has made a pact to come back after his death to sculpt a statue of a demon using human blood and clay. Once the demon is awakened he will be granted immortality.

  • Director
    • Dan Curtis
  • Writers
    • William F. Nolan
    • Fred Mustard Stewart
  • Stars
    • Roy Thinnes
    • Don Porter
    • Angie Dickinson
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    6.2/10
    1.7K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Dan Curtis
    • Writers
      • William F. Nolan
      • Fred Mustard Stewart
    • Stars
      • Roy Thinnes
      • Don Porter
      • Angie Dickinson
    • 50User reviews
    • 37Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • Videos1

    The Norliss Tapes
    Trailer 2:12
    The Norliss Tapes

    Photos24

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    Top cast17

    Edit
    Roy Thinnes
    Roy Thinnes
    • David Norliss
    Don Porter
    Don Porter
    • Sanford T. Evans
    Angie Dickinson
    Angie Dickinson
    • Ellen Sterns Cort
    Claude Akins
    Claude Akins
    • Sheriff Tom Hartley
    Michele Carey
    Michele Carey
    • Marsha Sterns
    Vonetta McGee
    Vonetta McGee
    • Mme. Jeckiel
    Hurd Hatfield
    Hurd Hatfield
    • Charles Langdon
    Bryan O'Byrne
    Bryan O'Byrne
    • Mr. Dobkins
    Robert Mandan
    Robert Mandan
    • George Rosen
    Ed Gilbert
    Ed Gilbert
    • Sid Phelps
    • (as Edmund Gilbert)
    Jane Dulo
    • Sarah Dobkins
    Stanley Adams
    Stanley Adams
    • Truck Driver
    Bob Schott
    Bob Schott
    • Sargoth
    George DiCenzo
    George DiCenzo
    • Man in Langdon Gallery
    Patrick Wright
    Patrick Wright
    • Larry Mather
    Nick Dimitri
    Nick Dimitri
    • James Raymond Cort
    Bob Harks
    Bob Harks
    • Deputy
    • (uncredited)
    • Director
      • Dan Curtis
    • Writers
      • William F. Nolan
      • Fred Mustard Stewart
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews50

    6.21.6K
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    Featured reviews

    6pembriar

    Well, it was scary in the 70s...

    I ordered this hard-to-find show on eBay and got an excellent copy of it. I'd been literally waiting years to finally watch the TV show that had left the greatest impression of terror on me since childhood. I mean, I wasn't let down when I acquired a DVD of Trilogy of Terror with Karen Black; that last episode with the freaky doll still creeped me out... kinda.

    Well, last night I sat down, put the disc in my trusty old DVD player , and -- uh, found it to be a less-than-horrific experience. Of course I knew it wasn't going to have the same sort of effect on me that it did back then, so I prepared myself for a bit of disappointment.

    It was okay I guess, and considering I'm much older and can follow the storyline infinitely better than I did when I was 9 helps too. I liked the shots of the Bay Area and the Pacific coastline, and a young and lovely Angie Dickenson is always easy on the eyes, but still -- I wasn't even so much as mildly surprised throughout the entire film. The evil manifestation that happened at the end of the film almost had me laughing -- and I scolded myself for mocking this beloved show.

    As a made-for-TV film it is somewhat enjoyable and certainly above average, but as with all things nostalgic and memorable, don't get your hopes up too much like I did.

    Okay, now I'm off to find some "ABC Movie of the Week" episodes that hopefully have aged a little better than this one did...
    KEITH-LANCASTER

    A film that qualifies as a genuine "creepie".

    My wife watched this and wished she had,nt. One of my favorites it had some very scary scenes especially the one when the sister opens the drapes at the motel. If you like scary stuff you will enjoy this but be prepared for an ending which leaves you wondering.
    seekrmk4

    Excellent Roy Thinnes Movie....in same class as Night Stalker

    It's a shame that this movie is not readily available, like "THE NIGHT STALKER" is....it is a very well done (KUDOS to Dan Curtis, DARK SHADOWS, etc)Occultish-Vampirish Horror movie (made for TV). The setting for this film (Carmel, CA, I believe) is as atmospherically driven as was the Dark Shadows Intro...if you can view this film, i wholeheartedly recommend it. A fine cast, with Roy Thinnes in the lead, investigator role, with Claude Adkins "reprising" his role as the unbelieving lawman....if you liked Carl Kolchak or Fox Mulder, this film is out there...find the truth for your self.....
    JD11779

    THIS MOVIE SCARED THE HECK OUT OF ME WHEN I WAS LITTLE!!1

    I was channel surfing the other night and caught the last 20 minutes of The Norliss Tapes. I saw the film back in the 70's and it scared me and gave me nightmares for a long time. I thought it was very suspensful and scary. It is a movie that sticks in my mind. I hope they put it out on VHS or DVD!!!!
    mn1953

    One of the best movies of the 70's

    This was one of the best made-for-tv-movies of the 70's. Why it wasn't continued into a series or trilogy is a mystery, as the ending left you dangling! Superb acting made this a true thriller. If anyone knows where a copy of this movie can be obtained, please post on this comment board. It is never shown on television, which is a shame indeed! Such a waste of some wonderful entertainment!

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    Related interests

    Mia Farrow in Rosemary's Baby (1968)
    Horror

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      This movie was intended as a pilot for a TV series of the same name. It was not picked up by NBC; that's the reason for the ambiguous ending that leave the viewer hanging in mid-air.
    • Goofs
      All entries contain spoilers
    • Quotes

      David Norliss: As I headed for the Cort estate along the seventeen mile drive, acres of lush cyprus and tall pine loomed over me. The ocean below bellowed and roared, smashing into the coastline spilling white foam along the sand. There's no doubt this rugged peninsular country could give the French Riviera tough competition. But on this afternoon, my mind really wasn't on the scenery. I kept thinking about the girl who had been murdered the night before, trying to tie what I knew about her into the story Ellen told me. I had a gut hunch the two were connected. How, I don't know. But I was going to have to find out!

    • Connections
      Featured in They Call Me Superseven (2016)

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • February 21, 1973 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Las cintas de Norliss
    • Filming locations
      • Big Sur, California, USA
    • Production companies
      • Dan Curtis Productions
      • Metromedia Producers Corporation (MPC)
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 1h 12m(72 min)
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.33 : 1

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