Dead of Night: A Darkness at Blaisedon

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 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-

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.

Failed pilot to a proposed TV series by Dan Curtis("The Night Stalker") features a little known cast in a story about a woman who contacts two paranormal researchers to investigate her reputedly haunted house she has inherited.

Oddly video-taped, rather than filmed, which makes the whole thing look cheap and amateurish, though script isn't too bad really, and there is some atmosphere to be had, it just fails to come to life adequately to engage the viewer, though it may have cult possibilities.

Was released on DVD as a special feature with the similarly titled "Dead Of Night" TV film from 1977, which was a more successful effort, though a TV series never developed from either project.

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.