Trilogia Macabra

I have a lot of love for director Dan Curtis and for the movies he made during the 1970s, particularly his made-for-TV movies and horror anthologies. He was responsible for some of the most modest yet delightfully entertaining genre outings back then, like the vampire epic "House of Dark Shadows" (based on his own cult-series) and the infamous "Trilogy of Terror" (featuring a segment with Karen Black versus a crazed Zumi doll). For this relatively unknown "Dead of Night", Curtis had the honor and pleasure – I presume – to work with the acclaimed writer Richard Matheson ("I Am Legend") who penned down three versatile short stories of – and I quote the narrator – mystery, imagination and terror! Admittedly all the stories are mundane and tame, but they are charming and the overall movie definitely isn't boring. When browsing through the other user- comments around here it seems that most of my fellow fans prefer the last segment, but I respectfully disagree because I found "Bobby" the most predictable and derivative of the three. Personally I've seen too many full-length films or omnibus segments in which a devastated relative desperately attempts to bring a loved one back from the dead – through whatever method – only to come to the obvious conclusion that doing so is a very bad idea and has painful consequences. No, in fact, my favorite segment is the (also predictable) opening segment "Second Chance" in which old-timer car fanatic Frank (Ed Begley Jr.) buys – for a miserable $100 – and restores an awesome Jordan Playboy that was involved in an accident that killed two people back in 1926. During its first ride, however, the Jordan somehow drives Frank all the way back into time as if it wants to restart its own life-cycle. "Second Chance" is a fantasy/fairy-tale instead of a suspense story and doesn't feature a single drop of blood or moment of tension, but it's likable and nostalgic. The segment in the middle is called "No such thing as a Vampire" and is primarily worth checking out for its cast that contains names like Patrick MacNee, Elisha Cook Jr. and Horst Buchholz. Is there a vampire on the loose in the mysterious old Gheria castle and is he stalking the lady of the house Alexis? The superstitious townsfolk avoids the place like hell, but the truth might not be so supernatural after all. "Dead of Night" might just be the most forgettable movie I watched this year, but at least I don't regret it.

Dan Curtis gives us another effective film, told in a trio of stories.

First has Ed Begley Jr. as a young man whose love of a car sends him on an intriguing time-travel excursion that, while not original, is at least satisfying.

Second has Patrick Macnee in a period piece as a husband worried over his fear that his wife is the victim of a vampire. Film has a clever twist that you may not see coming...

Third tale called 'Bobby' is by far the best, reminiscent of "Trilogy Of Terror" in how it tells the scary tale of a guilt-ridden mother who turns to the supernatural to resurrect her drowned son, a decision she comes to regret horribly...tense and effective, with a hair-raising final scene that will not be soon forgotten, after seen...

I'd read countless statements and a few reviews stating that the 3rd segment here; "Bobby" amounts to what is the most frightening 30 minutes of television horror and scared many ****less when first viewed. Of course; for jaded horror viewers today, that kinda' statement can't possibly hold up. But; I watched "Bobby" (and the rest of "Dead Of Night") a few moments ago and "Bobby" doesn't disappoint.

"Bobby" is a very atmospheric episode. The tone is immediately set when the mother calls upon dark forces to return her son, Bobby, home. A few moments later Bobby returns and pretty soon it's clear he's not the way she remembered him. What follows is a cat and mouse game, extremely well played out, tense and quite frightening with one hell of an ending.

The other episodes of "Dead of Night", quite frankly, pale in comparison. "Second Chance" is a uneventful story about time travel with a twist in the end that justifies what's gone on before but little more than that. "No Such Thing as a Vampire" is a well acted little mystery, again, with an OK twist but rather slow and lacks any suspense.

"Dead of Night" will only be remembered for "Bobby" and, at the meager age of 36 years old, the episode still packs a punch. At it's basic core it's a frightening concept and with a running time of less than half an hour there's more tension and shock value to be found here than in many feature films.

Is it good value to recommend something that's only 1/3 good? In this case; I'd have to say Yes.

Dead of Night is one of those legendary TV anthologies that tends to haunt the memory of anyone who saw it when they were young and impressionable, but like Trilogy of Terror, that 'other' fondly remembered anthology from director Dan Curtis and writer Richard Matheson, it's just one story out of the three that really warrants the attention.

The first story, 'Second Chance', is a rather charming time-twister of a tale which sees Ed Begley Jr. taking a trip into the past in his restored classic car and inadvertently saving the life of its original owner. It's well told and well acted, and contains a clever Twilight Zone-style twist at the end (not at all surprising since Matheson penned many an episode for Rod Serling's classic series) but this fantasy is just a little too gentle to sit comfortably as part of this collection.

Tale two, 'No Such Thing As A Vampire', has Patrick Macnee playing a jealous professor who exploits local superstition about vampires to do away with his wife's lover. Too far fetched to take seriously and a tad predictable, this is the least memorable tale of the trio.

As was the case with Trilogy of Terror's unforgettable Zuni Fetish Doll, the best is saved for last: 'Bobby' is a well crafted and genuinely scary occult story that stars Joan Hackett as a distraught mother who resorts to black magic to try and bring back her late son Bobby from the dead. Of course, meddling with dark forces is never a good idea and Bobby's mum learns a little too late that she should be careful what she wishes for. Atmospheric and very eerie, with a really creepy turn by Lee Montgomery as Bobby and a killer of a finalé, this is best watched alone in the dark on a stormy night for maximum effect.

This is pretty cool!Richard Matheson and Dan Curtis(NIGHT STALKER,SCREAM OF THE WOLF)again collaborate.This was a failed pilot for a proposed tv series,but the movie can be enjoyed for what it is.There are 3 tales here,with "Bobby",the 3rd story,being the most chilling.Worth a look.