Thriller

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!

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".

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!

"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.

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.