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Date Posted: 23:46:59 11/16/07 Fri
Author: Tim
Subject: Re: When did you first see Universal Horror films?
In reply to: Rick 's message, "When did you first see Universal Horror films?" on 11:40:22 11/15/07 Thu

Alan, you are right about 1970s television. There were some great TV movies made back then, you mentioned several of them. Trilogy of Terror starring Karen Black was another amazing one. It was very popular when it was first broadcast. Duel and The Night Stalker were also huge ratings hits in their day.

The haunted airplane one you cited was The Horror at 37,000 Feet, with Buddy Ebsen and William Shatner. While not as good as some of the others you mentioned, it is interesting for its cast of television veterans.

Officer Torch, I enjoyed your post as well. Zacherley was a famous horror host in the northeast back in the 1950s and 1960s. He was played by John Zacherle, who is still around as far as I know.

Tim

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Replies:

[> [> Re: When did you first see Universal Horror films? -- Rick, 09:43:33 11/17/07 Sat [1]

I remember "Night Gallery" and "The Night Stalker" from when I was a boy in the early 70's. They both made in DVD. "Duel" was an excellent TV movie. I don't recall if I saw the initial broadcast. By the late 70's I saw it in reruns. I spent lots of my time tracking the roadways they filmed on just outside of Los Angeles. The rugged Soledad Canyon region, east of Magic Mountain theme park. The DVD has scenes that were cut out because the stations couldn't air it in a 2 hour timeslot.

The climax was filmed atop Cruzan Mesa at Mint Canyon, located off Sierra Highway. You have an adjacent roadway that leads to the top of the mesa where a private home is situated with locked gates. The cafe Weaver went into was also situated on Sierra Highway, just downwind of the mesa. The first time I saw it, the building was closed with plywood nailed over the windows and door.

One scene I remember well--Weaver is calling for help in the phone booth and you can see Spielberg's shadow and some of the camera equipment reflecting on the glass doors.



Rick


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[> [> [> Re: When did you first see Universal Horror films? -- Tim, 23:50:37 11/17/07 Sat [1]

Duel was written by Richard Matheson, based on his own short story. It was first shown in the USA as an ABC Movie of the Weekend on Saturday November 13, 1971. It was very successful, and was released theatrically in parts of Europe, circa 1973.

It is pretty cool that you were able to track the roadways where it was filmed, Rick.

The popularity of Duel may have helped inspire the making of another ABC-TV movie, Killdozer (1974). Based on a story by science fiction writer Theodore Sturgeon, Killdozer starred Clint Walker, best known as the star of the TV western Cheyenne.

Tim


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[> [> Re: When did you first see Universal Horror films? -- Officer Torch, 14:02:37 11/17/07 Sat [1]

Please correct me if I'm wrong on any of this. I think the movie Duel first appeared as a made for TV movie, early 70s and might have been directorial debut of Steven Speielberg. I saw the show, and when repeated, saw it again. When VHS came into our home, I recorded it from TV, eventually bought tape when it became available at a popular price, wore it out, bought another, now have a DVD.

What's this all mean? Guess I really, really liked this movie! Fact is, I still do...it's timeless in a way..if you haven't seen it, try or get ahold of it. Though budget oriented production perhaps, it builds nicely and will have you on the edge of your seat just about throughout.

It takes place in the Southwest...so you folks who drive some Calif/Nevada desert type roads might relate to the scenery. If you're from elsewhere, it will just add to the excitement. It's one of my favorite movies, and for a film with a short cast list, it's great. Dennis Weaver is tops, and you've got an 18 wheel tanker truck with a madman or Michael Myers type driver. Dunno how well it was received earlier, but it may now have cult movie status.

The first person photography aiming forward of the cab of the truck is absolutely mezmerizing, exciting. The story is taut..edge of your seat excitement. Try to watch it without interruptions. I dunno, maybe it's me... let me know what you think of this movie..if you saw it. If not, try to see it.


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[> [> [> Re: When did you first see Universal Horror films? -- Rick, 14:47:44 11/17/07 Sat [1]


Yes, the film was made for TV, Torch. Spielberg's first directorial assignment. He maintains to this day, he wishes he could make a movie as good. Was his best. Filmed just northeast of LA, out West. His camera angles were awesome.




Rick


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[> [> Re: When did you first see Universal Horror films? -- Alan, 20:32:16 11/18/07 Sun [1]

Tim,

Thank you for the clarification regarding "The Horror at 37,000 Feet". And man, I sure should have remembered "Trilogy of Terror" with Karen Black. Great film! I saw that little cannibal doll on display at Universal in 1984. Ah, the memories...lately I've been buying up the DVDs of another 1970's TV show, "The Incredible Hulk". My wife thinks I'm nuts!


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