Trilogy of Terror

"Trilogy of Terror" is one of the best remembered made-for-t.v. movies of my generation. It deserves to be. It scared all of us to death. Watching it now, It's still pretty good. The first story is way too short. It deserves a full ninety minute treatment. The second story is pretty obvious. The third story is, hands down, the best of the bunch. The last one was the cause of many bad dreams way back when. "Trilogy of Terror" is definitely worth the watch.

Trio of stories starring the late Karen Black in three different roles. First has her playing a shy teacher who is desired by one of her male students, but gets more than he expects from her...OK story is watchable, but not particularly memorable in itself. Second story about two entirely different sisters(?) is far too predictable, though still not bad, just obvious. Third tale however is a knockout, and the stuff of legend. Evil African tribal doll is accidentally brought to life by a woman in her apartment, who desperately tries to escape from, then destroy the thing. Does she succeed? Chilling, knock you out of your shoes ending gave children nightmares for years; segment is incredibly suspenseful and tense, a true masterpiece that redeems the whole film. Watch out for that doll!

EVERYONE I know that's ever seen it says the same thing. That doll freaked them out! The doll in the last story is worth it all! You watch this and you won't be able to go to sleep till you make sure any dolls in your house are locked away! I think the dolls face is so well done, so damned creepy that even with the somewhat limited "special effects" that were used to do the doll, it just freaks you out and afterward any little sound in your house will make you jump or send a shiver down your spine! For a made-for-TV movie from 1975 it is fantastic! I forget how much they paid to get the doll to work, but I think it was something like $100,000. Lots of money back then just for a single item for a movie, but well worth it! The stories are pretty good too! Worthy of the Twilight Zone, or Outer Limits! Karen Black is great in this. Of course, this was her time to shine in the mid '70's. If you like the Chucky movies, then you'll love this one.