THRILLER Episode Guide Update

Just a quick heads-up that my Thriller episode guide at spookyisles.com is now halfway through series four - you can see the full list of reviews at https://www.spookyisles.com/thriller-episode-guide/ - the rest are being added just as fast as I can watch them.

On a related matter, I've just come into possession of a fantastic new tome on the Thriller series by Martin Marshall - A Thriller In Every Corner goes beyond your wildest expectations in telling the story of this fantastic Brian Clemens creation, and my early impressions after the first 50 or so pages are nothing but positive.

It's self-published and is available by clicking the link to Lulu.com - just bear in mind it's a hefty volume, so don't drop it on your foot.

MOVIE: The Night Child (1975)

The Night Child

aka The Cursed Medallion

Italy 1975, 83m, Magdalena Produzione

DVD: Arrow Films (UK) - Cert 15

A documentary maker is investigating the role of the devil in art. He comes across a painting which begins to have an alarming effect on his already troubled daughter's behaviour...

Although one of a number of Italian horrors inspired by the success of The Exorcist, this particular film takes quite a different approach to the other imitators. Director Massimo Dalliano was formerly a cinematographer for Sergio Leone on A Fistful Of Dollars and For A Few Dollars More, so it isn't surprising that he turns in a film which looks gorgeous, using the central-Italian locations to great effect. Whilst it doesn't have much in the way of real shocks or chills, there are some effectively dream-like moments, whilst the creative use of paintings and sculptures adds to the slightly surreal feel.

The screenplay is somewhat muddled, but thoughtfully handled nonetheless, with a strong central performance from Richard Johnson. Let down somewhat by the re-dubbing of the Italian performers, and the odd bit of dodgy back-projection work, The Night Child has much to admire overall, as long as you don't expect any pyrotechnics.



Original US Teaser Trailer:

TV's GOLDEN MOMENTS: 3. Dave Allen on Death + Irish Funerals (1975)

In our house, Dave Allen's BBC shows through the 70's and 80's were must see TV. For me he was one of the greatest comedians ever, delivering monologues from his black leather chair, usually with a Gauloises on the go and a glass of ginger ale by his side (although everyone assumed it was whisky). He would hold court on a range of subjects, usually around the sheer ludicrousness of everyday life, but most notoriously on the church and religion (for which Irish TV would ban him outright in 1978), and would introduce sketches to illustrate his point.

Here, in a classic piece from 1975, Dave muses on death, and in particular an Irish custom which works on the assumption that only one soul in a graveyard can go to heaven in each day...

With thanks to YouTube user lizziegolucky for sharing.