Norliss Tapes

A long time favorite of mine "The Norliss Tapes" finally arrives on DVD in a very nice transfer but without any extras to speak of. Although it's a cut or two below "The Night Stalker" Curtis uses many of the same techniques to tell his story here about psychic investigator and writer David Norliss(Roy Thinnes from "The Invaders" and later a guest star on "The X-Files") has disappeared after investigating the strange case of a man who seemingly has come back from the dead. Unlike Kolchak in "The Night Stalker" Norliss is out to discredit the supernatural until he encounters Helen Court(Angie Dickinson). James Court her husband has died but he appears to have come back. Norliss disappears shortly after starting work on his book. His worried publisher shows up at Norliss' place and ends up listening to the story and we, in turn, hear Norliss tell the bizarre tale of James Court.

Although "The Norliss Tapes" hasn't aged as well as some other films from the same era it still manages to induce a few chills and be entertaining. Directed by Dan Curtis ("Dark Shadows", producer of "The Night Stalker" and director of "Trilogy of Terror")the film was originally a pilot for a TV series but plays just as well as a stand alone film. We never find out what happened to Norliss and the tale does indeed creep us out. Although not as well written as "The Night Stalker" or "Trilogy of Terror"(both scripted by Richard Matheson and Matheson with William F. Nolan respectively)Nolan's script of the Fred Mustard Stewart story has enough jolts to make the TV film memorable.

I am disappointed that Anchor Bay didn't give this film the complete care they gave cult classics like "Race with the Devil"; although Curtis is no longer with us Thinnes is around as is Dickinson and both could have been contacted for a commentary track at the very least. Also it would have provided the perfect opportunity for Anchor Bay to do a featurette on Curtis who was the consumate TV director working in a variety of genres (he directed "The Winds of War", "War and Rememberence" in addition to "The Night Strangler" and other horror projects)and creating memorable work.

Although "The Norliss Tapes" isn't quite as successful as Curtis' other projects from the time it's still enjoyable and has enough creepy atmosphere to make it worthwhile. A warning to fans of gore driven horror films--this film is not into gore and it's scary moments will seem tame compared to most theatrical films like "The Hills Have Eyes" or "Saw" but it's from another era where acting and suspense were more important than gore for the sake of gore.

I'm happy to finally have this on DVD now I'm hoping that Anchor Bay can license "Night Slaves" a great little sci-fi thriller directed by Ted Post. Many of these vintage 70's films are getting the loving care that they deserve (and I have no complaints whatsoever about Anchor Bay's transfer the film looks surprisingly good)so I'm hoping that either Anchor Bay or Dark Sky will continue to mine the vaults for these minor gems.

I find it odd that this television pilot film has languished in obscurity for so long. 'The Norliss Tapes' first appeared on the T.V. screen in '73 by Dan Curtis who gave us the wildly success cult classic `The Night Stalker' in '72. Maybe it was simply too similar to the earlier film to capture the attention of the audience.

Synopsis: A psychic investigator David Norliss (Roy Thinnes) is asked to look into the mysterious circumstances involving the recent death of a local California artist and his reported appearance to his widowed wife (Angie Dickenson) shortly after the funeral. When the highly spectial Norliss discovers an empty coffin and learns of a series of grisly, ongoing murders in the surrounding community he slowly begins to postulate the impossible.

I must admit I'm pleased to see this buried and all but forgotten gem from the `70's finally available on DVD so it can be rediscovered and enjoyed by a new audience of horror fans. Not quite on par with `The Night Stalker' but it doesn't miss by much. I love the ending, it's extremely disquieting and Lovecraftian in mood and atmosphere. The film offered the perfect opportunity for a sequel, but unfortunately it wasn't meant to be. Give it a look.

I was about nine years old when I first saw this movie on television. It would have been its original premiere that I caught around 1975. I have never forgotten this movie. I have also searched for it without even remembering its title, but knew I would recognize it immediately when I found it. You know how your memory of things are when you are a child. I ordered it and found that it was just as thrilling as I remembered, and that says a lot, because everyone has experienced the let down of the real thing not measuring up to a vivid memory. I rated this movie 5 stars and would gladly give it 6 stars if that were possible. I think it has a lot to do with how carefully the director/producer was at setting up his scenes. This movie was the brainchild of the same person that brought us Dark Shadows and was also involved in the original Night Stalker movies. It has been added to my favorite collection of movies to watch on Halloween. I enjoy showing it to friends who are totally unfamiliar with it. They become involved in the story. It is fun to watch them!

› Go to Amazon.com to see all 26 reviews  3.9 out of 5 stars