Dead of Night

1977 "Three tales of mystery, imagination and suspense."
Dead of Night
6.2| 1h16m| NR| en| More Info
Released: 29 March 1977 Released
Producted By: Dan Curtis Productions
Country: United States of America
Budget: 0
Revenue: 0
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Synopsis

This anthology tells three stories: a man buys a car that takes him back and forth through time; a tale of vampires; and a distraught mother asks for her drowned son to come back to life and gets more than she bargained for.

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Dan Curtis Productions

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Scott LeBrun From two legends, writer Richard Matheson and TV producer / director Dan Curtis, comes this decent three part anthology. It's slick, and entertaining, but doesn't really represent their best work. For the most part, the writing is uninspired. The movie has some twists up its sleeve, but they won't come as any great shock to the viewer. Curtis' efficient direction and the efforts of a solid cast help to keep things watchable. There is no connecting thread, but there is a narrator at the outset to set us up for the (mild) thrills and chills to come.An appealing Ed Begley Jr. headlines 'Second Chance' as Frank, a young man whose hobby is restoring old cars. One day, he purchases a 1926 Jordan Playboy, and when he takes it for a spin, he is magically transported back to the year 1926. As is usually the case for tales such as this, he learns that his actions in the past will have consequences for the future. If there is a weak link here, it's this segment, scripted by Matheson from Jack Finney's story. It's very likable, to be sure, but has no real impact when it's over.'No Such Thing as a Vampire' is a period piece starring Patrick Macnee as Dr. Gheria, who has a young bedridden wife played by Anjanette Comer. She lives in mortal fear of a vampire, and the frustrated doctor must call upon a character named Michael (Horst Buchholz) to come in and deal with the problem. Definitely more clever and macabre than 'Second Chance', this segment does come up with an amusing twist ending. Matheson scripted from his published story.The best is saved for last with the flat-out horror show 'Bobby', an original by Matheson. Joan Hackett plays a grieving, unnamed mother who uses black magic to resurrect her son Bobby (Lee H. Montgomery) who drowned months ago. Needless to say, she comes to regret this decision, as the kid is now decidedly strange and soon begins to terrorize her. Some good suspense and creepiness here, in a section that falls back on that old reliable horror trope of a dark and stormy night. The ending is fun.E. J. Andre, Ann Doran, Christina Hart, and Elisha Cook Jr. all give fine supporting performances, and both the music by Bob Cobert and cinematography by Ric Waite are excellent.While this isn't anything special, lovers of the 1970s TV terror genre will want to see it for completions' sake.Six out of 10.
Woodyanders Three tales of mystery and suspense.First and most so-so yarn, "Second Chance" - Frank (a liable Ed Begley Jr.) buys and restores an antique car that transports him back to 1926. This one alas doesn't do much with its intriguing premise, although the flavorsome recreation of the period prevents it from being a total washout.Second and most clever vignette, "No Such Thing as a Vampire" - Alexis (a sympathetic turn by Anjanette Comer) suffers from a deep-seated fear of vampires that her pragmatic husband Dr. Gheria (the always fine Patrick Macnee) tries to use scientific means to resolve. The grim surprise ending and rich Victorian era milieu make this story a winner, plus there's a juicy role for veteran character actor Elisha Cook Jr. as antsy butler Karel.Third and most frightening segment, "Bobby" - The mother (an excellent Joan Hackett) brings her son Bobby (a supremely creepy portrayal by Lee H. Montgomery) back to life only to have him return as an angry little fiend who terrorizes her in a beach house. Director Dan Curtis does an expert job of crafting a spooky ooga-booga atmosphere and generates plenty of nerve-rattling tension from a scary variant on hide and seek which culminates in a genuinely bloodcurdling conclusion.A worthwhile omnibus outing.
atinder Dead of Night (1977)Another horror anthology movie, I did get confused with the 1945 version with the same title (which is also an anthology), (I was hoping to see that one), I should read the first review first.First story, I was watching on my Phone, While I was on the Bus, as the movie is on you tube.Second Chance" I not sure think of this story, it did make me think for few hours after wards ,I liked how the story flowed.This man buys classic car and fix up and then takes for Drive only find out that he as somehow went back in time.While back time, The Car he was driving is taken by someone, who he tries stop, soon walks back and then wake up , Knowing he back in really time.He falls love with Girl he never noticed before (That was first hint) Which I didn't get at the time but as the story went, it made more sense.I thought this was very decent story, it wasn't scary at all but It' did make we think and the acting was really good.Next story No Such Thing as a Vampire"(I hope I don't sound like broken record, As you know i am not big fan vamps movie)Patrick Macnee as a doctor whose wife is suffering from the symptoms of vampire attacks.I found this story decent, there were some cool decent and creepy moment in this short that made really well.The music in this segment was okay as it added bit more creepy feel to the story and I really enjoyed how the story came to a end Bobby - (This is where Trilogy of terror 2 got this from) This is was lot more slowly paced then ^ Movie named there and it did have bit more creepy feel to it.I liked how they try not show the face of kids though out the segment, it makes it feel a lot more darker,I loved end of this short, now that is what you call decent Demon face, as that looks at more scary, then end of Trilogy of terror 2 Bobby segment.7 out of 10
ElectricWarlock It seems every horror fan is aware of Dan Curtis's masterpiece Trilogy of Terror, but this film doesn't seem to get quite as much recognition as Trilogy of Terror and it is just as good in my opinion. The first story isn't exactly horror. It is more of a Twilight Zone like tale of a man who travels back in time using a 1920s car to save the lives of his girlfriend's grandparents. It is a very intriguing tale, and just like an episode of The Twilight Zone, the twist ending captures you by surprise. Ed Begley, Jr. makes the story great and his performance really sells it. The story is interesting and well written. The second story, No Such Thing As A Vampire, starts out as your typical vampire story in that there are mysterious attacks and everyone in the village is in fear. But the ending of the story is something I didn't see coming at all. It features Elisha Cook, Jr., who is always a joy to watch in everything he stars in. Bobby, the third of the three stories, is the best and without a doubt the most memorable. Joan Hackett is terrific as a grieving mother who is desperate to have the son she loves so much with her again. Lee Montgomery's performance is unforgettable as Bobby. He is one of my favorite actors and he never played the villain in anything else I watched him in. But he is truly scary and menacing in the role of Bobby. I can see why the mother was so afraid of him.Overall, all of the stories have an atmosphere of mystery, suspense, and intrigue about them. All of them were wonderfully written by the brilliant Richard Matheson. If you like horror movies full of shock and suspense, this is one film you cannot afford to miss. I feel this film is a terrific, underrated masterpiece.