The dead of night isn’t a time, the opening narration advises—it’s a state of mind.
Directed by Dan Curtis, “Dead of Night” is a 1977 made-for-television anthology horror film consisting of three short pieces, each written by my boy Richard Matheson, one of horror’s all-time greatest writers.
Matheson became prominent with The Twilight Zone, where he wrote some of the best episodes of the series: Nightmare at 20,000 Feet, The Invaders, Little Girl Lost, Steel, and Death Ship to name a few.
Second Chance
The first of the three tales feels the most like it was lifted directly from a TZ script. It stars a young Ed Begley Jr. as a classic car enthusiast. He buys and restores a 1926 Jordan Playboy that was demolished in a train accident that killed its owners.
He takes a ride and finds himself back in time. It’s an idea we’ve run into before and since, but this one feels more emotional. “Second Chance” co-stars E. J. André, Ann Doran, and Christina Hart, and it’s the safest of the three for all ages to watch.
No Such Thing as a Vampire
The second story feels less like Twilight Zone, and more like Alfred Hitchcock Presents. The ending was a total shock and provides a chilling eye bulge when it’s revealed.
Set in a glorious countryside estate, “Vampire” stars Patrick Macnee as Dr. Gheria. The good doctor’s cute wife (Anjanette Comer) repeatedly awakens with bloody bite marks on her neck. The wife and their butler (Elisha Cook Jr.) believe it’s the result of a vampire in the house. Of course, the doctor refuses this explanation and enlists the help of his friend (Horst Buchholz) to solve the problem.
Bobby
The final story is pure horror.
Alma (Joan Hackett) is still grieving the recent death of her young son, Bobby. She conducts a black magic type ritual one dark and stormy night, praying to a creepy as hell portrait of the kid on the wall that’s enough to send a shockwave of goosebumps across your arms.
Aa soft knock at the door wakes her up. To her shock (and our horror) Bobby (Lee H. Montgomery) has come home, and he wants to play.
73 Minutes
“Dead of Night” is easily digestible. Sans commercials, the entire film runs slightly over an hour. Each of the three stories is enjoyable on its own. Yes, there are some slow parts that seem to be obvious padding of material, but it never gets boring.
Anthology movies seem to have fallen off the map and it’s too bad. As a writer and reader of horror short stories, it’s a facet I wish were explored more.
“Dead of Night” is a solid watch for fans of horror, and lovers of Richard Matheson.
