Dead of Night (1977)

Director:  Dan Curtis

Writers:  Richard Matheson, Jack Finney

Composer:  Bob Cobert

Starring:  Ed Begley Jr., E.J. Andre, Ann Doran, Christina Hart, Patrick Macnee, Anjanetta Comer, Elisha Cook Jr., Horst Buchholz, Joan Hackett, Lee Montgomery, John Dehner

More info:  IMDb

Tagline:  Three tales of mystery, imagination and suspense.

Plot:  Three imaginative tales involving a vintage car that transports its driver back to 1926; the mistress of an old mansion terrified by vampires and a mother tormented by the spirit of her dead son.

My rating:   6/10

Will I watch it again?   No.

This three-tale, made-for-TV horror anthology is a weaker entry in the genre and it's not because it's a TV movie.  Just look at producer/director Dan Curtis' earlier telefilm, TRILOGY OF TERROR (1975) and you'll see that it can be done well.  The first tale, SECOND CHANCE, is the weakest by far.  It's more akin to a TWILIGHT ZONE episode that deals with time travel back to the 'good ole days' and the unknown consequence.  There's not a horror element in it but more of a mystery I suppose.  There's A LOT of narration by the main protagonist, Frank (played by Ed Begley Jr.) which lessens any enjoyment I might've gotten from it.  It's OK at best.  The second story, NO SUCH THING AS A VAMPIRE, is more of what you sign on for when watching something like this.  It's especially good, especially considering the story that preceded it.  It also helps to have a nice cast headed by Patrick Macnee and a score that evokes that of a classic Hammer Horror movie.  The final story of the three, BOBBY, finds Mother (Hackett) being tormented by her son Bobby (Montgomery) who she just conjured up from the dead.  During their little cat and mouse game you discover some backstory that doesn't bode well for Mommy.  This one's pretty good, too.  I can see the last story freaking out young enough children in its day but certainly don't go into this expecting to be spooked yourself.