It's a Terrifying "Trilogy of Terror!"

The late Richard Matheson was one of our most talented and prolific writers of fantasy, horror, and science fiction. His career spanned from the 1950s right on through the early 2000s. He created such enduring classics as the novels The Shrinking Man, I Am Legend, Hell House and A Stir of Echoes, all of which were turned into movies. Matheson also wrote for television, including episodes of Have Gun, Will Travel, Wanted: Dead or Alive, and sixteen segments of the original Twilight Zone, including the classics “Nightmare at 20,000 Feet” and “The Invaders.” In the 1970s, Matheson teamed up with producer-director Dan Curtis (of Dark Shadows fame) on several projects. They collaborated on a television adaptation of Bram Stoker’s Dracula, starring Jack Palance, as well as The Night Stalker and The Night Strangler, a pair of classic telefilms featuring Darren McGavin as intrepid reporter Carl Kolchak, who battled supernatural menaces in both movies.

Karen Black and Robert Burton in "Julie"

Another project the Matheson/Curtis dream team worked on is Trilogy of Terror, a 1975 ABC Movie of the Week starring Karen Black. The movie features adaptations of three Matheson stories, the first two scripted by Matheson’s friend William F. Nolan (co-author of the novel Logan’s Run) and the third written by Matheson himself. The first segment “Julie” (based on Matheson’s story The Likeness of Julie) concerns an egotistical college student named Chad, who initiates a date with his English professor. He then drugs and takes advantage of her, snapping photos of her in compromising positions. Chad (played by Black’s real life husband at the time, Robert Burton) uses the pictures to bribe her into continuing their relationship. But Julie has a deadly surprise in store for him as the story comes to a close. Look fast for Gregory Harrison in a bit part, and pay close attention to the “French vampire” movie Chad and Julie go to see on their date: it’s a clip from producer Curtis' The Night Stalker!

The second tale “Millicent and Therese” (based on Matheson’s story Needle in the Heart) concerns two sisters who are polar opposites. Millicent is prudish and conservative; Therese is provocative, sensual and carefree. Both sisters interact with the family physician, Dr. Ramsey. Millicent insists that Therese is evil, has done terrible things, and must be punished. Therese feels her sister is foolish and predictable. Millicent plots to kill Therese using voodoo. When Millicent hatches her plan, the ultimate truth about the siblings and their dark family history is revealed. Black plays both sisters, and George Gaynes (Tootsie, Police Academy) appears as Dr. Ramsey. While you’ll probably guess the ending of this one in advance, it’s still worth watching, thanks to Black’s effectiveness in the dual roles of Millicent and Therese. Dark Shadows veteran John Karlen also appears in this entry.

Karen Black (and friend) in "Amelia"

The third and final segment of the film is the one most viewers remember. “Amelia” is based on Matheson’s story Prey. Amelia (Black) lives alone, and returns home with a package containing a gift for her boyfriend. It’s a doll crafted in the image of a Zuni warrior, named “He Who Kills.” The doll supposedly contains the actual spirit of the warrior, which is kept in check by a chain around its neck. After Amelia has a phone conversation with her overbearing mother, the chain falls off. The doll comes to life, and begins hunting Amelia. The rest of the story features Amelia and the sharp-toothed, spear-wielding (and seemingly indestructible) Zuni doll facing off against each other each other in her apartment. It’s an intense, one on one confrontation that escalates and climaxes with one of the most chilling images in the annals of horror television.

Many fans, writers and reviewers feel the first two stories are weak, and the final one saves the film. I think the first two entries are pretty effective in their own right, and offer a slow buildup of suspense until the visceral thrills of the climactic tale. Curtis and Matheson did the same thing in 1977’s Dead of Night, another horror anthology showcasing a trio of stories. The final entry in that film, “Bobby,” starring Joan Hackett, was easily the scariest of the three, but the two that preceded it had their charms as well. Trilogy of Terror is truly a showcase for Karen Black. She offers a bravura performance throughout the film, adding some subtle nuances to her multiple roles. Dan Curtis’ direction is assured and effective, and you’ll definitely spot the influences that “Amelia” had on later films in the horror genre. Curtis’ favorite composer, Robert Cobert, provides the eerie score.

Dan Curtis directed a belated sequel to the film, titled (what else?) Trilogy of Terror II. The movie aired in 1996 on the USA Network, and starred actress Lysette Anthony, who also appeared in Curtis’ short-lived prime-time version of Dark Shadows.  The film featured three more tales of the macabre, including a remake of “Bobby” and a sequel to “Amelia” titled “He Who Kills” which takes place shortly after the events of the original story. Trilogy of Terror stands out as one of the most memorable films from the classic era of the TV movie, and it succeeds in no small part thanks to the wonderful stories of the legendary Richard Matheson. The film is currently available on DVD and Blu-ray from Kino Lorber home video. This post is part of the Richard Matheson Blogathon, hosted by the very talented bloggers at Wide Screen World and Moon in Gemini. I’d like to thank them for letting me join in on the fun. You can get more info on the blogathon and view the posts here: https://debravega.wordpress.com/2019/03/09/the-richard-matheson-blogathon-day-1-recap/.