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.
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.