Thriller

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".

This humble fan of Boris Karloff's Thriller will side with the great horror writer Stephen King who calls "Thriller" the scariest show ever on television. Well, I will back off a little from Mr. King as "One Step Beyond" get's my vote as scariest TV show followed by "Ghost Story/Circle Of Fear", but "Thriller" ranks right up there with the aforementioned two. It's been a while since I have scene many of these episodes as they really haven't run anywhere on TV that I has acces too. Most of my memories come from the 1970's when local station WOR-TV aired the show. Recently I saw an episode on video entitled "The Premature Burial" and man, even at age 30 plus, it scared the pants off of me and made the goosebumps rise! Erie intro by Boris Karloff, moody black and white photgraphy, creepy scripts and big name stars make this a TV gem! I cannot recall the name of this particular episode but I believe it was directed by and starred Ray Milland and it was about "Jack The Ripper". I haven't seen it in years but I still remember it from seeing it in the 70's. scary and proof positive that this show was memorable and has staying power. Highly recommended!

"Thriller" in the 60's would air on the Local NBC affiliate, Saturday nights at 9 PM. Of all the episodes, and I think I saw them all, had to be "A Wig for Ms. DeVore". Following Marie Antoinette's execution on the gallows, her hair was removed and made into a wig. The owners, of which there were many, all fell under a horrifying curse.For those of you who might come across this episode, BEWARE of the ending. If there was ever an episode of "Thriller" that would cause one to hide their eyes, this has to be the one, hands down.

I was 11 years old when I had the fortunate (though for the sleepless week that followed I didn't think I was so lucky) when I saw the episode 'The Hungry Glass'...of course, being a kid generated its own fright quotient. Certainly 43 years later I could see the same show and laugh at it---maybe. I'll just say this, the sight of the spectres in that damnable mirror has never quite left me...much like the Banshee outside Darby O'Gill's door which I saw at about the same period in my life, causing me to wonder if mere acting can ever work up such emotional involvement again. Or as we age does life's humdrum banish true horrors to some remote chamber we've lost the key to?

Amazing how many of you remember the "Hungry Glass" episode. I was only about 9 years old at the time, and still vividly remember it as the scariest TV show I ever saw. What astounds me is that, with all the cable channels and all the JUNK programmed on them, they don't seem to find a slot to rerun these Thriller classics. It's a shame.