Dead of Night

Plot synopsis:
Architect Walter Craig (Mervyn Johns) has been invited by Elliot Foley (Roland Culver) to his country home in Kent to consult on some renovations. Upon arrival at the cottage, he reveals to Foley and his assembled guests that despite never having met any of them, he has seen them all in a recurring dream.
He appears to have no prior personal knowledge of them but he is able to predict spontaneous events in the house before they unfold. Craig partially recalls with some dismay that something awful will later occur, and becomes increasingly disturbed.
The other guests attempt to test Craig's foresight and set him at ease, while entertaining each other with various tales of uncanny or supernatural events that they experienced or were told about.
These include a racing car driver's premonition of a fatal bus crash; a ghostly encounter during a children's Christmas party (a tale cut from the initial USA release); a haunted antique mirror; a light-hearted tale of two obsessed golfers, one of whom becomes haunted by the other's ghost (another cut from the initial USA release); and the story of an unbalanced ventriloquist (Michael Redgrave) who believes his amoral dummy is truly alive.
The framing story is then capped by a twist ending in which Craig murders one of the guests, then escapes into a feverish montage of scenes and characters from the house guests' tales. At the climax, the dummy Hugo is strangling him when Craig suddenly wakes up at home from the nightmare to the sound of a phone ringing.
The phone call is from Elliot Foley, inviting him to his country home to consult on some renovations. As the end credits roll, Craig is again driving up to Foley's cottage, exactly as in the film's opening.

Tags: suspenseful

Review:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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..
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 (1977) *** (out of 4) Wrongfully forgotten made-for-TV film from director Dan Curtis and writer Richard Matheson.
Finally, in "Bobby" a mother (Joan Hackett) is coming to terms with the death of her child when her wish is granted that he returns to her.
As with TRILOGY OF TERROR, the final story is the one that goes for scares and it's a creepy little tale that ends with a brilliant sequence that I won't spoil here.
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.
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..
"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.
He drugs him and pits falsely accuses him of being a vampire which leads him to have a stake driven through his heart.The final story is about a mother (Anjanette Comer) whose son Bobby (Lee Montgomery) accidently drowns in a lake but she makes a pact to have her son come back from the dead.
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.
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.
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!
"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).
I never saw this one, but it was directed by Dan Curtis the master of small-screen suspense, who was behind both "Dark Shadows" and "Kolchack, the Night Stalker" and who directed several superior TV movies like "The Norliss Tapes" and "Trilogy of Terror" as well as the very scary theatrical film "Burnt Offerings".
Curtis' direction is pretty serviceable, and famed horror writer Richard Matheson's stories are all above par, but the length and some of the acting is a problem.The first story about an old car that transports its new owner back to a time when it's original owner was killed trying to beat a train is obviously intended to be more of a supernatural mystery tale than a horror.
It has elements of "The Monkey's Paw" where a distraught mother (Joan Hackett) wishes her drowned son (Lee Montgomery) back from the dead.
It also has elements of "Prey" the final Matheson-scripted tale in "Trilogy of Terror" with "Bobby" taking the place of the African fetish doll.
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.
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.
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.
From two legends, writer Richard Matheson and TV producer / director Dan Curtis, comes this decent three part anthology.
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.
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.
Joan Hackett plays a grieving, unnamed mother who uses black magic to resurrect her son Bobby (Lee H.
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.
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.
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.
DEAD OF NIGHT is another made-for-TV horror anthology from producer / director, Dan Curtis.
PART THREE: BOBBY- A mother named Helen (Joan Hackett- THE POSSESSED) is willing to do anything, in order for her dead son to be returned to her.
As in TRILOGY OF TERROR, Dan Curtis has saved the most harrowing, terrifying tale for last.
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!
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.
I never knew the same Richard Matheson segment in TRILOGY OF TERROR 2 was a remake and DEAD is the original.
Joan Hackett, looking like a cross between Karen Black and Barbara Parkins, is older here than Lysette Anthony in TT2, and frankly does a better job with the part, introducing a subtle ick factor in her interactions with 'Bobbie' thats nowhere to be found in Lysette's version, and suggests just why the kid despises her so much.Also included on the disk is a failed pilot for a Dan Curtis TV series about psychic investigators.
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.
The late great Dan Curtis brings us three horror/fantasy tales from the pen of Richard Matheson, featuring a strong cast.
A nice double feature this would make with his superior omnibus, Trilogy of Terror(..starring the incomparable Karen Black).The first tale(Second Chance) stars Ed Begley Jr as Frank, a young man with a knack for restoring older cars, with a knowledge and love for them.
The second tale(No Such Thing as a Vampire) features Patrick Macnee as a professor whose wife(Christina Hart) seems to be falling prey to a vampire, under his own nose, asking a colleague(..played by Horst Buchholz)to assist him.
And, the third, final, and best tale(Bobby) stars Joan Hackett as a deeply traumatized mother who desperately longs for her deceased son, who mysteriously drowned(Lee Montgomery;BURNT OFFERINGS), going as far as using black magic, attempting to conjure him back from the dead.
The first film better belongs in a TWILIGHT ZONE anthology movie than in a Dan Curtis production.
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!
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.
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.
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.
Lee Montgomery and Joan Hackett were excellent in this cautionary tale wherein the mother turns to black magic to summon her dead son.
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.
This trilogy of terror begins with a very lovely Time travel tale adapted by Richard Matheson from a Jack Finney short story.
Second up we have NO SUCH THING AS A VAMPIRE, based on Matheson's story; it ends with what I would call a "Transylvanian Twist." The last is really the least interesting in terms of Story (it's THE MONKEY'S PAW all over again), but it's done really well (everything's underscored by the always capable Robert Cobert, whose DARK SHADOWS theme has haunted many a dream).
All around, an excellent telemovie from the era in which B movies were being made for television (and, more often than not, being crafted far BETTER than the theatrical releases that preceded them).Also on the disc that I rented was the 1969 pilot for another Dan Curtis series (shot on video, like DARK SHADOWS), DEAD OF NIGHT.
This story seems to fit in more with the likes of The Twilight Zone than the others.The second tale is a period piece involving a vampire, starring Patrick Macnee.
Curtis never specified what time period the piece takes place in but given their clothing, even if it was the late Victorian era, they certainly did not have technology like that!The third and final tale is entitled "Bobby." The story involves a mother who dabbles in black magic with the hopes of bringing her deceased son back to life.