Rod Serling writes and hosts a trio of terror tales that are all presented as paintings in a sinister art gallery.
First yarn and most ghoulish yarn, "The Cemetery" - Greedy and smarmy rich heel Jeremy Evans (a deliciously slimy portrayal by Roddy McDowall) murders his millionaire uncle so he can collect the man's fortune. However, Evans soon finds himself being haunted by a grotesque painting. Director Boris Sagal ably crafts a strong gloom-doom Gothic atmosphere. McDowall has an absolute ball with his delightfully detestable character while Ossie Davis impresses as loyal servant Osmond Portifoy. Dandy double twist ending, too.
Second and most powerful anecdote, "Eyes" - Mean and bitter wealthy old blind bat Claudia Menlo (superbly played to the spiteful hilt by Joan Crawford) resorts to ruthless measures to have her sight briefly restored only to have things go horribly awry due to an unexpected blackout. Directed with tremendous assurance and visual flair by Steven Spielberg in his directorial debut, this segment further benefits from ace acting from Barry Sullivan as the reluctant Dr. Frank Heatherton and Tom Bosley as hapless gambler Sydney Resnick as well as boasts a doozy of a grim climax.
Third and most caustic outing, "The Escape Route" - Unrepentant Nazi war criminal Josef Strobe (a fine performance by Richard Kiley) seeks refuge in a South American country, but still can't escape from the sins of his past. Director Barry Shear adroitly creates an edgy paranoid mood and builds a good deal of tension. Sam Jaffe contributes a typically sound turn as frail, yet resilient Jewish concentration camp survivor Bleum while Norma Crane adds plenty of acerbic bite as catty whore Gretchen. The chilling and brutally ironic final image packs a startling punch.
An on the money anthology film.
First yarn and most ghoulish yarn, "The Cemetery" - Greedy and smarmy rich heel Jeremy Evans (a deliciously slimy portrayal by Roddy McDowall) murders his millionaire uncle so he can collect the man's fortune. However, Evans soon finds himself being haunted by a grotesque painting. Director Boris Sagal ably crafts a strong gloom-doom Gothic atmosphere. McDowall has an absolute ball with his delightfully detestable character while Ossie Davis impresses as loyal servant Osmond Portifoy. Dandy double twist ending, too.
Second and most powerful anecdote, "Eyes" - Mean and bitter wealthy old blind bat Claudia Menlo (superbly played to the spiteful hilt by Joan Crawford) resorts to ruthless measures to have her sight briefly restored only to have things go horribly awry due to an unexpected blackout. Directed with tremendous assurance and visual flair by Steven Spielberg in his directorial debut, this segment further benefits from ace acting from Barry Sullivan as the reluctant Dr. Frank Heatherton and Tom Bosley as hapless gambler Sydney Resnick as well as boasts a doozy of a grim climax.
Third and most caustic outing, "The Escape Route" - Unrepentant Nazi war criminal Josef Strobe (a fine performance by Richard Kiley) seeks refuge in a South American country, but still can't escape from the sins of his past. Director Barry Shear adroitly creates an edgy paranoid mood and builds a good deal of tension. Sam Jaffe contributes a typically sound turn as frail, yet resilient Jewish concentration camp survivor Bleum while Norma Crane adds plenty of acerbic bite as catty whore Gretchen. The chilling and brutally ironic final image packs a startling punch.
An on the money anthology film.