A couple of Halloweens back, Frani and I sat down to some "horror" television to throw some different flavorings into THE PROJECT. This year we decided to try it again.
This infamous episode of the legendary sci-fi/conspiracy program of the 1990's still gets skipped over in syndication to this day due to its subject matter. Aired on October 11, 1996, Mulder and Scully are called in to examine a ghastly finding in a field in rural Pennsylvania. It doesn't take long before they're wrapped up in a hideous family of murderers who are several generations into, let's say, self programmed reproduction. Their abode is a horrid, squalid nightmare equally as awful as their way of life. Somehow, Duchovny and Anderson work some of their humorous chemistry into this extremely dark storyline. If you feel like venturing down this dark path, it can be found on Hulu.
Thriller: The Hollow Watcher
This early 60's anthology series put out some memorable vignettes to be enjoyed, and as I've mentioned in my review of Pigeons From Hell, Stephen King called it the best television horror of its day. This episode features a young Warren Oates whose mail order bride appears to be up to something after the murder of her father in law (Uncle Jesse from the Dukes of Hazzard). Oates' character is okay with this killing, as he doesn't dig his old man anyway. Things began to happen in this North Carolina burg involving a local scarecrow named "The Hollow Watcher" afterwards. Let's be honest, it's a dopey looking scarecrow indeed, but in its day, its look and eventual actions were probably terrifying. Especially once it becomes animated with the arrival of Oates' bride's "brother". Entertaining stuff.
Tales From the Darkside:
Inside the Closet
Most Saturday nights my friend Jon would come over and we'd watch the Dick Ebersol era SNL followed by an episode of George A Romero's syndicated "Tales from the Darkside". This particular episode was directed by Tom Savini and features a young college girl renting a room from the local veterinary professor in his very large house. His daughter's former room features a half-door closet that cannot be opened as it is locked and the key is "lost". But there are noises coming from the closet and this new occupant is a little too curious for her own good. Fritz Weaver is really slick as the professor with facial tics and twitches in constant circulation, leaving his motives an ongoing question.
Sorry, Right Number
This Stephen King scripted episode isn't really scary, or even suspenseful as much as heartbreaking. Our leading lady catches a distressing phone call that she fears is from a relative. After much investigation with the help of her author husband, they are unable to solve the issue at hand. A tragedy ensues that leaves a Saw type whirlwind montage that answers all the questions that came before. Well, in a way....
I love anthology television. Thriller, Tales From the Darkside, Night Gallery, Twilight Zone (which I'll get to later in the year as SYFY has somehow attached Rod Serling's masterwork with New Year's). This year's dip into TV Terror maybe wasn't perfect, but it was a fun travel down memory lane.
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