Dead of Night (1977 TV Movie) User Reviews

Have I got a story for you. Three actually.

[lost-in-limbo · 6/10 · 9 February 2007]

From the team who brought us "Trilogy of Terror" comes a follow-up TV produced three part anthology by writer Richard Matheson and director / producer Dan Curtis. Not to be confused with the 1945 version with the same title (which is also an anthology), this TV feature was going to be a pilot for an up and coming TV series that didn't eventuate. The three stories that have been picked are all rather different in tone. Honestly the first two tales really do pale in comparison with the last one and if this one weren't tact on it would be quite a mediocre film. Curtis' sturdy direction is fine, without over-doing anything, but maybe could have used bit more spruce. Although saying that he comes into his own in the final story. Each story (adapted from Henry James' story) written by Matheson has its nice little touch and imaginative edge, but again it's the final one that only clicks and stands-out. There's no real wrap-around story holding these tales together, but it opens with quite an atmospheric beginning to kick off proceedings.

1/ "Second Chance" - (20 minutes) A young man buys an old vintage 1926 Jordan car, which he restores, every single feature, including the original number plates. He takes it out for a drive on an old back road and then finds himself transported back to 1926.

There's nothing horrifying about this one, but there's a "Twilight Zone" spin on the material and how things play out. Rather slow-moving and sappy with Ed Begley Jr.'s musty narration adding to the ponderous pace in this stop and go affair. The robust music score was kinda off, but it was exceptionally well shot. Curtis seems to be directing from the script. It's not bad and has an endearing stroke to it, but its quite uneventful and far from intriguing. This one feels rather misplaced compared with the other two. I can't knock that this isn't a smart little fantasy, but it doesn't grip you either.

2/ "No Such Thing as a Vampire" - (20 minutes) A professor living in a mansion in the eastern Europe with his wife, finds out that his wife has bite marks on her neck. He doesn't believe in vampires, but his superstitious servants and the surrounding village think otherwise. A doctor is called in to see her and he notices that the husband also has marks on his neck.

This broodingly unusual mystery is a tightly drawn up one idea concept and is shaped by its Victorian settings. It's more suggestive in its set-up and has things going on behind the scenes to throw you off course. Instead it gets rather clunky with a payoff that comes as quite a let down. Not that it wasn't good, just that I was expecting something more from this enliven mystery. Patrick Macnee is good in his sly performance, Elisha Cook Jr. equally so as superstitiously uptight servant. Horst Buchoiz and Anjanette Cormer are reasonably sound. The atmosphere is very bleak and is rallied up by the foreboding music score and flowing photography.

3/ "Bobby" - (30 minutes) A lady is staying alone in a beach house, while her husband is on a business trip. So during one stormy night she decides to perform a magic ritual to hopefully bring back her dead son who accidentally drowned. Nothing happens for a while, but then she hears a knock on the door and there sits a shivering and soaking-wet Bobby.

Now this is more like it! Haunting, creepy and truly disquieting is the key to this one. This dark little item was indeed captivating by consistently tightening the screws with controlled suspense and lingering on some spine-tingling images. Curtis paces it briskly and milks it out nicely with sweeping camera movements and a selectively alienating music score. The distinct performances are very impressive by Joan Hackett and Lee H. Montgomery. Montgomery is downright eerie and Hackett is truly fitting as the unhinged mother. It made great use of clichéd devices, like the thunderstorm to generate atmosphere. The close quarters made it thrillingly taut with its encroaching shadows and quiet air. The mind-snapping premise has that ambiguous build up too it and plays around with that feeling where things aren't what they seem, like the second one. This one does leave a lasting impression with its genuinely macabre conclusion.

I guess one out of three ain't bad, but again if it wasn't for the splendour packed final segment it wouldn't be worth your time in tracking it down. Still it's worth it if do happen to come by it.

"Bobby" doesn't disappoint

[ODDBear · 7/10 · 2 February 2013]

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.

An enjoyable 70s horror/fantasy trilogy

[LCShackley · 7/10 · 21 August 2010]

If you enjoy Twilight Zone and Night Gallery, this fine made-for-TV anthology will be right up your alley. It consists of three stories that each hit a different spot on the TZ spectrum, all with screenplays by horror/fantasy veteran Richard Matheson.

1. Second Chance. Ed Begley, Jr. plays a student who rebuilds an old car, which takes him back in time with unexpected results. This is one of those gentle, "what if" episodes that TZ did so well. Don't expect any scares. The original story is by Jack Finney, who wrote two memorable novels on the subject of time travel, and also the classic "Invasion of the Body Snatchers."

2. No Such Thing as a Vampire features a post-Steed Patrick Macnee as a doctor whose wife is suffering from the symptoms of vampire attacks. This has some scary moments and a very clever ending that would have felt at home on TZ or Alfred Hitchcock Presents.

3. Bobby is the story of a woman who can't cope with the loss of her young son, so she does everything in her power - including occult power - to bring him back. As anyone knows, you always get more than you bargain for when you make deals with the devil! This segment has a stalking terror element that may remind you of Matheson's "devil doll" segment in the earlier "Trilogy of Terror."

Of course, there are goofs, and 70s production values (day-for-night photography, etc.). Also awful 70s shag carpets and very obvious stunt doubles. But it's still loads of fun to watch and holds up well. The DVD has loads of extras, including 36 music cues by Dark Shadows composer Robert Cobert, deleted scenes, and a complete, 50-minute pilot called "Dead of Night" that Dan Curtis pitched to ABC back in 1969. You can also Dan Curtis doing a pretty decent Rod Serling impression in his guide track for the opening narrator.

"Bobby" is the best of the three

[mcbee-1 · 25 December 2002]

I saw this movie when it originally aired in 1977. I was only a little intrigued with the first two stories, but it was the third, "Bobby," that gave me nightmares for years. Joan Hackett is excellent (as usual) as Bobby's mother, and Lee Montgomery is equally good as a boy who goes from sweet victim to hellish tormenter. When I saw it again in '82, I was older of course and more cynical, but I found the ending just as frightening as it was the first time I watched it. Damn scary for a T.V. movie, and worth watching when Halloween rolls around!

Good TV Anthology Film.

[AaronCapenBanner · 7/10 · 23 August 2013]

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...

Dead of Night: better than Trilogy of Terror as a whole, but still a very uneven collection of tales.

[BA_Harrison · 6/10 · 24 October 2011]

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.

DEAD OF NIGHT (TV) (Dan Curtis, 1977) ***

[Bunuel1976 · 7/10 · 12 October 2011]

Horror anthologies have been a staple since the Silent days; ironically, this particular one shares its name with perhaps the most celebrated example in movie history – the 1945 Ealing film (another fine movie so entitled is Bob Clark's 1974 cult zombie flick actually better-known as DEATHDREAM!). Anyway, director Curtis had already tried his hand at the form with the popular TRILOGY OF TERROR (1975; TV), which had intended showcasing the versatility of its star i.e. Karen Black. Though some bemoaned the fact that here only the last segment was really scary, the very opening narration states that we would be seeing a tale of Mystery, another of Imagination and, well, just one of outright Terror! Incidentally, all three were scripted by genre expert Richard Matheson, with the second episode adapted from one of his own stories, the third an original and the first inspired by the writings of Jack (INVASION OF THE BODY SNATCHERS) Finney.

"Second Chance": this actually has the feel of a "Twilight Zone" with car fanatic Ed Begley Jr. buying a scrap of metal (the remnant of an automobile-against-train accident from 50 years before) who restores the vehicle to its original state. When he tries it out on the road, he begins to unaccountably pass by a number of similarly-vintage cars and soon realizes that he has been caught in a time warp and effectively gone back to the mid-1920s! Emerging from the car to check out his surroundings, it is stolen shortly thereafter, even if he does try to stop the thief's flight (though pedestrians he meets assure him that that reckless driver did in fact own a car like it). He goes to sleep by the porch of some house and finds himself once again in his own time, later meeting a girl from school he was sure he had never seen before; when she introduces him to her family, he is surprised to learn that not only is the girl's grandfather a car aficionado as well but he actually still owns one from his youth…and it turns out to be the very same vehicle he himself restored, so that, by way of the three-second delay that it took him to intervene, the accident that claimed the life of the man and his female companion was miraculously averted!

"No Such Thing As A Vampire": this is more typical fare (down to the classical Transylvanian setting), but it still provides a sting in the tail – Patrick Macnee is a doctor whose wife (Anjanette Comer) seems to have fallen victim to a bloodsucker. The townsfolk are naturally terrorized, but the protagonist's butler actually happens to be a vampire hunter (played by Elisha Cook Jr.!). Still, the attacks persist and Macnee sends for his friend (Horst Buchholz) – the former gives him a lowdown of the recent events whilst sipping tea, but the guest begins to feel drowsy and loses consciousness after a while. It transpires that Buchholz was having an affair with the doctor's spouse, and the latter took advantage of local superstition to exact his revenge – indeed, he puts Buchholz in a coffin in the attic and smears his lips with a trickle of blood extracted from Comer…and then, to complete the illusion, rouses Cook to locate and destroy the vampire via the traditional stake-in-the-heart!

"Bobby": like the famous Zuni Doll segment from TRILOGY OF TERROR, the best episode is left for last – interestingly, this draws both from it (a woman is terrorized in her remotely-located home by a strange presence) and from the afore-mentioned DEATHDREAM (a mother resorts to the occult to have her dead son restored to life). In fact, we first find Joan Hackett chalking a large symbolic circle on the floor by which to invoke the Forces of Darkness. In the meantime, she has spoken to her husband on the phone about how she is coping with their son's tragic demise in a drowning accident. Eventually, the boy does turn up knocking on the front door and complaining of the extreme cold (apparently, his body was never retrieved). His mother takes him inside and purports to treat her kid to his favorite food, but he suddenly turns hostile and knocks the plate off the table! His aggressive behavior continues to escalate and he even denounces the woman for her possessiveness – the boy demands that she play a game of hide-and-seek with him which grows more and more threatening, as he attacks her with a knife and even breaks the windshield of her car when, terrorized, she takes shelter inside it. She decides to call her husband for help but the man's voice is listless until she realizes that the wires have been cut and that the boy is on the other line himself! In the end, the kid throws his mother down the stairs and confesses to not wanting to come back because he hates her…and, in fact, he sent a demon in his place (with the child's countenance now acquiring terrifying features)!

There is no doubt that the last section is the most effective here but the ones that preceded it, providing nostalgia and inventiveness in equal measures, make for more than adequate (and thankfully varied) build-up.

The dead of night is a state of mind!

[Coventry · 5/10 · 11 December 2015]

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.

Really good--Curtis does it again.

[planktonrules · 9/10 · 31 October 2012]

By the way, no narrator is listed by IMDb. It sure sounds like John Dehner.

Segment One stars Ed Begley Jr. and begins in the present time. After buying an old car from the 1920s, he suddenly finds himself transported in time--back about 40 years. But why? Well, when he returns to the present, he's able to figure it all out for himself. Overall, interesting but not especially memorable.

Segment Two stars Patrick Macnee, Anjanette Comer and Horst Buchholz. A woman insists she's being preyed upon by a vampire and her husband seeks out professional help. I won't say more--the twist is REALLY, REALLY good. It's probably the best of the three segments.

Segment Three stars Joan Hackett as a grieving mother. She can't get over the death of her son and has sought the occult to try to return him. Unfortunately, she gets that--the boy returns. Unfortunately, it's NOT all it's cracked up to be! Almost as good as segment three--very creepy and memorable.

Overall, you've got two great episodes and one good one--not a bad outing for Dan Curtis--the man who also brought us "Dark Shadows" and many wonderful monster films in the 60s and 70s. Well worth your time and perhaps the pilot for a failed series.

If it weren't for the first two parts, this might have been a 10!

[mark.waltz · 7/10 · 9 July 2020]

"Second Chance" has possibilities, but blows them by having a pointless conclusion. "No Such Thing as a Vampire" is a 15 minute rush of all of the Hammer "Dracula" films without the creativity. But the third, "Bobby". should have been a movie all its own. It is riveting from start to finish, and dominates half of the film.

Young Ed Begley heads back into the past and realizes that time travel helped save someone's life who has become very dear to him, and it is a great set-up, but the execution of it falls short especially with how it comes together, like a weak "Twilight Zone" episode. The "Vampire" middle just lays there like a blood-sucking beast awaiting the ending of sunlight so he can rise. But like a pancake, this never rises, and is as dull and flavorless as a pancake without its toppings. Only the presence of Patrick MacNee and Elisha Cook Jr. adds life to this as it really has no afterlife.

The disappointments of the first two parts immediately ends when you meet Joan Hackett for "Bobby", playing a grieving mother who uses black magic to bring her son back from the dead, believing him to have drowned. When he re-appears (played by Lee H. Montgomery of "Burnt Offerings"), he's a demon child, basically a live version of the ugly doll Karen Black purchased for "Trilogy of Terror", taunting Hackett in a game of hide and seek as his evil goals become obvious. This intense segment could have easily been stretched out to 75 minutes with the other segments completely eliminated. It is that good. Not related to the British horror classic, I can see why this was not picked up for a TV series.

Dead of Night: Below average horror anthology

[Platypuschow · 4/10 · 1 April 2019]

From Dan Curtis the creator of the Trilogy of Terror movies comes another horror anthology movie and it's best anthology (Of what I've seen) that he did, though that's not saying much.

The first tale stars Ed Begley Jr in a car themed time travel effort which is perfectly charming but certainly isn't a horror therefore out of place here.

The second stars Avengers (1961) leading man Patrick Macnee in a tale called "No Such Thing as a Vampire" but is there? Fairly clever stuff, though nothing to write home about.

The third tells the story of a woman who using the dark arts resurrects her dead son, but he doesn't come back quite the same. Interestingly Curtis remade this for Trilogy of Terror 2 scene for scene and unless I'm too much mistaken used the same audio track for the kid.

If you like the Trilogy of Terror films you may enjoy this, for me I found it very underwhelming.

The Good:

First story is charming

The Bad:

First story isn't a horror

Ridiculous blood color

One of my favorite TV movies

[utgard14 · 8/10 · 25 April 2020]

Dan Curtis is awesome for the few of you who don't already know that. This wonderful made-for-TV anthology horror film is further proof of his awesomeness. The movie opens with a piece that is actually not a horror story. It's a lovely fantasy about a man (Ed Begley Jr.) with a love for classic cars who rebuilds a Jordan Playboy roadster and somehow drives it back in time to 1926. I love this opening story so much. I have a special place in my heart for nostalgic stories like Somewhere in Time and Walking Distance and this reminds me of those. Gentle, leisurely paced, romantic time travel tales get me every time. Plus any movie that shows proper respect and love for the Playboy and its iconic advertisements is aces in my book.

The second story is a fun one. I won't spoil it for you but it stars Patrick Macnee and Elisha Cook, Jr. and centers around a woman being targeted by a vampire. This segment is the shortest but thankfully so since the plot is pretty thin. The third and final story is a nerve-wracking one about a grieving mother turning to black magic to bring back her dead son. It's basically one of those "be careful what you wish for" stories. Joan Hackett gives a gripping performance as the mom and young Lee Montgomery is pretty creepy as the son. It's intense stuff. This is likely going to be the favorite segment for most viewers as it's the only one that's truly horror. But as I said the first one is my personal favorite.

Overall Dead of Night is another feather in the cap of the great Dan Curtis. Despite being mostly limited to television he did more for onscreen American horror in the 1970s than pretty much any other filmmaker. Some may have had more important single films but he had the most consistent output. This is one of his more underrated efforts and I would recommend anyone who enjoys his other work check it out. In my opinion it's even better than his more famous anthology, Trilogy of Terror.

Bobby alone makes this anthology film worth watching

[movieman_kev · 7/10 · 29 January 2009]

This horror anthology film that was made for TV features three stories. The first, 'A Second Chance' stars Ed Begley Jr. as a young man who finds that his newly purchased antique car can travel in time. It's an interesting little tale reminiscent of The Twilight Zone, but it doesn't really have any place in a supposed horror film (even one that was made for TV.

The middle tale, 'no such thing as a vampire', stars Patrick Macnee as Dr. Gheria, a wealthy British man whose wife believe that she's been the victim of a vampire. Gheria naturally doesn't believe this preposterous notion at first, then Micheal comes to help.... This tale was better than the first one, but even though it is enjoyable enough and boosts a nice twist, it's still nothing that special.

Which brings as to the third, last & hands down best story in this movie, "Bobby", in which a long deceased boy is brought back to life via the dark magiks that his distressed, grief-stricken mother partakes in. She's jubilant to find him at her door, but things soon turn sour as he's different now & playing sadistic games with mommy dearest. For all the horror and tension that the first two stories lacked, this one makes up for it....in spades. Lee Montgomery is suitably frightening as the titular Bobby and it remains one of the best short horrors ever made for American TV (now if only the first two parts were even half as good)

My Grade: B+

DVD Extras: deleted/extended from the 'no such thing as a vampire' segment; alternate intro vioceovers; Music score highlights; the unaired 1968 pilot episode of 'Dead of Night' (A Darkness at Blaisedon); & a photo gallery

Pilot portmanteau

[BandSAboutMovies · 5/10 · 8 December 2018]

Much like Trilogy of Terror, Dead of Night is made up of tales written by Richard Matheson (the first segment is based on a Jack Finney story) in a portmanteau format. Originally airing on March 29, 1977, this TV movie is not as well remembered.

There are three stories: "Second Chance," where Ed Begley Jr. buys a car and goes backward in time; "No Such Thing as a Vampire," which has The Avengers' Patrick Macnee as a doctor trying to deal with an undead man who keeps attacking his wife; and finally "Bobby," which is all about a mother trying to figure out how to deal with the loss of her son (played by Ben's Lee Montgomery).

Of these tales, only "Bobby" is actually scary. Trilogy of Terror is much better overall, but that's not to say that you won't find some enjoyment watching this. Dark Sky put this out on DVD in 2009 and included the pilot, "A Darkness At Blaisedon," for a TV series version that Curtis tried to sell in 1969. The same music from that pilot was used when this movie was finally filmed.

There was also a British anthology series with the same name that aired in 1972, with seven episodes filmed and only three that still exist.

another cool Matheson-Curtis 70s flick!

[staytherelass · 28 August 2002]

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.

Not The Best Movie, But Worth It

[carolinephillips-47427 · 7/10 · 14 July 2019]

Like most anthologies, Dead of Night tries to have something for everyone which will, inevitably, leave some audience members preferring certain segments over other ones. In this film's case, we're stick with two duds out of three, but one story is so excellent that it's worth suffering through the others just to get to it.

Dan Curtis also made Trilogy of Terror which, for all of its classic status, is also similarly uneven with two lackluster tales and one finale kicker. People don't remember the other two stories, but they'll never forget that creepy Zuni doll. In Dead of Night, you'll never forget Bobby.

Bobby is the story of a grieving mother (Joan Hackett) who uses black magic to bring her dead son back to life with terrifying results. It's a 30 minute exercise in true fear and tension and it's stunning to me that Curtis had this in him where he seemed to be phoning in the other segments. The final shot is absolutely unforgettable and terrifying.

Heeeere's Billy! Two duds and the genuinely impressive gem that more than makes up for them.

[Foreverisacastironmess123 · 7/10 · 15 March 2017]

Now I didn't find this picture to be as well done as the excellent Trilogy of Terror, but thanks to one of its stories it did measure up. I thought the first two stories in Trilogy were more engaging interesting and satisfying than the ones of this movie. Couldn't it just have been "Bobby" and nothing else? Just kidding, it's rather worth slogging through the first two tales just to get to it. The whole film kind of serves as a buildup to its third story, with the first being a soft fantasy yarn with a sappy sentimental tone and a super-happy ending, the second being a somewhat harder-edged offering with a Gothic suspenseful vibe, and then there's the third which was clearly meant to be a full-blown good old-fashioned frightfest. The first two chapters did nothing for me, I found them both totally flat and boring. The time travel one had me wondering if I'd put on the right movie and if I was watching a horror anthology at all, and the vampire story which I liked even less didn't even actually have a vampire in it! So unlike a lot of Bobby's/this movie's big fans I never saw Bobby as a child, so I could never have that kind of memory of it, but as far as the chilling atmosphere, rising terror and sheer hectic creepy buildup to the great final scare as the movie drew to a close impressed me, I can sure see what you folks are talking about! Needless to say it was the story that made this movie worthwhile for me and I thought it blew the other ones clear out of the water in terms of quality and entertainment. I found it a real fun scary ride as a grieving mother turns to the dark arts to bring her beloved son back to life, which she does but as it turns out neither are quite who they appear to be... Young Lee Montgomery was a pretty cute kid but he was good at becoming a little scary when the mood starts to become tense as he asks his mother weird questions, and then a lot scary when he gets angry and demented and forces her to engage in a killer game of hide and seek. I love how well and natural the 70s aesthetics go with the shadows and the brilliant spooky atmospherics that are helped along with such classic touches like the power going out and the crashing thunder and lightning, and what a marvellous big old dark house to use as the setting. It's childish yet eerie and sinister when he's toying with her and calling out "You can't find me!" from the darkness. And before she gets scared as it dawns on her that there's something supernatural going on, she's just confused and annoyed with his game and shows a quick hint that she may in fact not have been a very nice mother to him in life, so much so that he hates her even in death... A moment that I loved and that really sent a tingle up my back was when she's on the phone and you get that it isn't her husband she's talking to a little before she does! Good movie, it's fun and worth seeing for fans of obscure retro anthologies, and for me that's all due to the spooktacular brilliance of the final story. Thank you, and please never resurrect the dead, nothing good ever comes of it! x

An Anthology of Supposed Horror Tales

[gavin6942 · 6/10 · 3 February 2009]

Summary taken from IMDb.Com: This anthology tells three stories: a man (Ed Begley, Jr.) 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.

This film comes to us from director Dan Curtis and writer Richard Matheson. If you're not familiar with Matheson's name, you are missing out. His work with Roger Corman adapting Poe stories is legendary, he's the genius behind the various "I Am Legend" adaptations (and the original story) as well as other work (notably "Stir of Echoes"). Curtis is also a veteran horror director and his work ("Trilogy of Terror") is now classic in its own right.

This collection starts off slow, with a time-traveling car. The story itself has no horror elements to speak of, but is interesting just the same. Those who like science fiction or time travel tales will be in love, though I don't suggest thinking too hard or you might find some serious plot holes.

The second tale is weak, and offers little more than a buffer. While it certainly fits into the horror genre (it is about vampires, after all), there's not much of a story to tell. Perhaps if it had been expanded to feature length, but as is the story just doesn't seem to go anywhere and we don't get to know any of the characters well enough to care about them. If you're short on time, skip this middle section.

The third and final section also happens to be the best without a doubt. Called "Bobby", it is a variation on the old "Monkey's Paw" story where a mother wishes her son back from the dead (not unlike Bob Clark's "Dead of Night", coincidentally), with not so amazing results. The difference here is that instead of wishes or prayers, the mother turns to black magic. I can't say I was scared by this story, though I rarely am. I can say, however, that this might terrify other people. The mother's performance was respectable, and the boy's was downright chilling. If you watch only one section, watch this one. It will burn into your memory.

Dark Sky Films is fast becoming my favorite film distributor, bringing back old classics or films that time forgot. They're bringing back some impressive editions, and "Dead of Night" is no exception. The DVD includes another almost feature-length story on it worth seeing, and plenty of bonus features that have never been seen before by audiences. With horror being somewhat disappointing lately, it's great to see a company devoted to make the best years even better upon their return.

ok but not fantastic.

[nightroses · 4/10 · 28 February 2022]

The first film was the nicest of the three films in this anthology. It was a bit fantasy but not horror. The second was a disappointment. I'm still wondering what people have put out in the doors and windows because there isn't anything to see. The third was a horror. Most 70's films are insensitive and the third story was quite sad then it turned insane. Ok to watch during a rainy evening,

Enjoyable anthology outing

[Woodyanders · 8/10 · 26 January 2016]

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.

Really good anthology

[atinder · 7/10 · 17 March 2013]

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

Another trilogy of terror from the pen of Richard Matheson

[kevinolzak · 5/10 · 7 October 2022]

1976's "Dead of Night" was another TV movie anthology collaboration between screenwriter Richard Matheson and director Dan Curtis, similar to 1975's "Trilogy of Terror" but without the gimmick of the same actress in all three stories. "Second Chance" is a gentle fantasy in which the restoration of a 1926 roadster transports the driver back in time 50 years, where he alters the course of history by preventing a tragedy. "No Such Thing as a Vampire" never really catches fire, Anjanette Comer as the wife being drained of blood on a nightly basis, Patrick Macnee as the husband whose attempts to prevent the inevitable involve calling in a family friend (Horst Buchholz). Elisha Cook enjoys a brief turn as family retainer Karel, the only servant remaining after the others fled out of fear. "Bobby" is the last and most celebrated of the three, inexplicably remade to lesser effect with Lysette Anthony for Curtis' 1996 sequel "Trilogy of Terror II." Joan Hackett plays grief stricken Ella, whose son Bobby was found drowned by neighbors several days before, willing to call upon the devil to bring her boy back from the grave while her husband is out of town. He appears out of the rain on her doorstep, in tears and crying, but soon begins asking about the number of doors to the house, and in particular if his mommy loved him. She tries to offer the child a sandwich but he would much rather play a game of hide and seek, and it would be advantageous for mother not to let him find her. The sting in the tail is worth the wait, the only truly scary story in this batch. A few months later Curtis would strike again in a 2 hour time slot with a single horror tale, "Curse of the Black Widow."

A wonderful horror anthology

[ElectricWarlock · 10/10 · 7 March 2013]

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.

Uneven, but worth your time

[donbanf · 7/10 · 28 January 2011]

I have enjoyed reading others' reviews of this anthology. I definitely remember seeing it when it was new and just watched it again tonight for the first time since 1977. So glad this is out on DVD. It does feel very much like Night Gallery episodes put together, though the first one is more akin to the early Twilight Zone series' sentimental type story of time travel or wishful thinking. Funny though, I had no recollection whatsoever of either of the first two episodes. I just don't remember them at all. The one I remembered very clearly and enjoyed again tonight was "Bobby". Lee Montgomery and Joan Hackett were excellent in this cautionary tale wherein the mother turns to black magic to summon her dead son. Very atmospheric, creepy and convincing, with good production values for a TV movie, "Bobby" (to me) hasn't lost any of its punch over the years. The portrait of the boy in the living room, the rain and lightning, the ocean, the house, all powerfully suggest the fear that will come. Nice house. I kept asking myself, where was this filmed? I could not find any information on IMDb regarding filming location. It looks like California, the hills and the ocean shots reminded me of "Play Misty for me". The first two stories are OK but rent this one for "Bobby".

Dead of Night

[henry8-3 · 4/10 · 7 July 2020]

3 tales of fantasy and horror. An old car gives a man a second chance in life, a husband fights against a vampire trying to take his wife and a woman brings her dead son back to life.

Perfectly reasonable, yet unremarkable anthology film. Oddly, the horror element at the end impresses the least.