Dead of Night: A Darkness at Blaisedon

This un-aired pilot for a series that never was to be,can be seen on the DVD for the "Dead of Night" TV movie. In it, Angela Martin hires Jonathan Fletcher and his assistant Sajid Rowe to investigate the haunted mansion that she's just inherited. A mansion that looks suspiciously like redecorated 'Dark Shadows' sets. It's easy to see why this failed pilot was never picked up for a series, it's not really that interesting & both "Dark Shadows" and the later ""Kolchak: The Night Stalker" were much better. This is only a footnote in 'horror' television (if it even warrants that) and in my mind deservedly so.

My Grade: C-

I know full well that the comments that have been provided by my fellow horror fans are quite accurate, but I think you should give this little piece a chance. As clichéd as it is -- and it is! -- it manages to evoke a certain atmosphere that makes it fun to watch, despite the technical issues and the predictable storyline.

For me, a movie is almost always more about image and atmosphere; the question I always ask is "does it stay with me?" There are good movies that I would never see again and there are bad movies that become guilty pleasures. Dan Curtis had something and it comes across in most of his material. This is a perfect example of a certain type of horror, the kind that we did grow up with and ultimately find funny rather than scary; but it remains atmospheric for all that.

Angela Martin (soap actress Marj Dusay) hires Jonathan Fletcher (Kerwin Mathews, the dauntless hero in Columbia's classic "The 7th Voyage of Sinbad") and his assistant Sajid Rowe (Cal Bellini, an ethnic 1960s John Stamos) to investigate the haunted mansion that she's just inherited.

Another reviewer referred to this short film (actually a television pilot) as "not really that interesting" and "only a footnote" in the world of horror. I think that sums it up nicely. While this did not turn into a "Dead of Night" television series, it seems to be closely linked to "Dark Shadows".

The writer is Sam Hall (who did 315 episodes of "Dark Shadows") and the director is Lela Swift (who did 585 episodes of "Dark Shadows", as well as 589 episodes of "Ryan's Hope"). We even have great music from Bob Cobert, a Dan Curtis regular, setting the tone. This idea never really went away so much as just became repackaged.

There's some questionable things about the show... like a mummy coffin with hinges? And they have very Broadwayesque stages and acting styles, not unlike soap operas or a high school musical. Personally, I was turned off my this over-the-top approach. But really, if you have a chance to see this, I'd say go for it... once. There's nothing particularly special about this film and it's easily forgettable.

This is a bonus feature included for the TV movie "Dead of Night". Despite the similarity of the titles, the two are unrelated projects by Dan Curtis (of "Dark Shadows" fame). The TV movie is an horror anthology (perhaps originally intended as a TV pilot) and "A Darkness at Blaisedon" was a one-hour failed pilot. Both are well worth your time.

This pilot concerns folks who investigate the supernatural and in many ways it's a bit like the later "Kolchak" series. In this particular case, a young heiress is concerned because she cannot sell the mansion she just inherited because the potential buyers all complain that the place is haunted. While she doesn't believe this, she is willing to pay a paranormal researcher to investigate and give it the all clear. However, it IS haunted and soon this pretty lady finds herself possessed! What's next? See it yourself.

Overall, this is a pretty good show--and perhaps it was good enough for a 7 (it is close). It kept my interest and the only complaint is the cheap look of the production--though the "Dark Shadows" TV show also looked really, really cheap as well and probably used the same sets. Worth a peek.

Same creator ( Dan Curtis). One of the same directors. One of the same writers. Same stock music ( at least some of the same music). Thayer David ( who very slightly yells and overacts here a little much). A similar seance scene as some such events on DS. Similar plot. Another cast member from DS. Differences are the extremely beutiful Marj Dusay. Two other actors. Better house sets here than on DS. None of the same characters.

A little too much is crammed into this hardly hour show.