Thriller (TV Series) An Attractive Family (1962) User Reviews

"After this you won't have any more nightmares."

[classicsoncall · 8/10 · 29 February 2012]

The opening of this episode is a genuinely creepy affair, even if it turns out to be a dream/nightmare sequence. The imagery is just frightening as young Ginny Wells (Joyce Bulifant) steps into a noose and plunges into the depths of darkness. Even if it didn't really happen, it's one of the more chilling moments of the Thriller series.

You know, when you consider what scheming villains the Farrington's were, the one thing you have to give them credit for is their patience. The initial murder of Marian's (Joan Tetzel) husband took place in 1947, while brother Dick (Richard Long) teamed up with old Uncle Bert (Otto Kruger) another eight years later to send wife Alice (Deirdre Owens) over a cliff. Then the story moves forward another half dozen years to 'present' day 1961 where the rest of the story takes place. I was taken back a bit to see that this show aired on New Year's Day 1962, which means the week prior, 'Portrait Without a Face' would have been shown on Christmas Day. That would be some pretty somber fare for the holidays.

Fortunately, Leo G. Carroll was around to make the save for young Ginny in the final chapter of this saga. I always liked Carroll ever since seeing him in all those 'Topper' shows as a kid. This time around, instead of talking to ghosts, he helped prevent Ginny from becoming one.

A Good Tongue in Cheek Effort

[Hitchcoc · 8/10 · 5 December 2016]

This is an interesting premise. A group of lazy relatives maintain their lifestyles by murdering relatives and using their money. Richard Long, who was a mainstay in television at this time, plays a young playboy type who wastes to much money that they have to do more killing. He marries a young woman and arranges for her to fall off a cliff. That money runs out through bad investments. Soon, that woman's sister shows up. She is heir to her sister's fortune, but if she doesn't live to her 21st birthday, the money will go to Long and his evil relatives. There are lots of efforts to bump her off. Of course, with their history, they have to be creative. That slows them down. The show has a nice conclusion that is quite satisfying.

Murder is NOT attractive (no. 52)

[kevinolzak · 7/10 · 25 May 2009]

A great cast is the main attraction of "An Attractive Family," a solid black comedy centering on the Farringtons (Richard Long, Otto Kruger, and Joan Tetzel), who gain their wealth through marriage followed by 'accidental' deaths. Following the most recent tragedy, Joyce Bulifant (best known as Gavin McLeod's wife on THE MARY TYLER MOORE SHOW) arrives as Virginia Wells, who is due to inherit the bulk of her late sister's estate, unless our 'attractive family' can prevent her from reaching her 21st birthday. Leo G. Carroll (THE MAN FROM U.N.C.L.E.) turns up as Virginia's bird watching partner Major Downey, who unwittingly helps prepare a repast of poisoned mushrooms. Richard Long is effectively cast against type, as was Joan Tetzel, back for her second THRILLER (after 29 "The Devil's Ticket"). This was the fourth and final episode to feature the actual PSYCHO house on Universal's back lot (after 7 "The Purple Room," 32 "Mr.George," and 43 "Masquerade").

I don't think these are particularly nice folks!

[planktonrules · 8/10 · 22 October 2018]

The Farrington family certain is unique...and not especially nice. After Dick Farrington makes some bad investments, the family needs money and to get it, they marry and then kill their partners for the insurance! You see them kill a few folks during the course of the show...but can only assume there must have been others. Much of the episode concerns Dick dating his dead wife's sister (Joyce Bulifant) and her brushes with death.

There are a couple technical problems with the plot...although it's an otherwise excellent show. First, if you have spouse after spouse in a family die of 'accidents' like the Farringtons, there's bound to be a criminal investigation and the insurance companies won't just keep paying off. Second, the final murder is one which CANNOT be collected on with insurance, as the family is trying to make it look like a suicide...and policies simply won't pay if you kill yourself. Nevertheless, it's STILL a cool and exciting episode...and well worth seeing.

By the way, if you like this creepy plot, there's a similar one with the old "Hawaii Five-O" about a family that travels the globe killing folks ("One Big Happy Family"). Talk about family values!

A true Thriller! :)

[john30-3 · 10/10 · 3 November 2006]

I watched this as a re-run for the first time when I was 7 or 8 years old. It scared the HELL out of me back then, especially the wicked uncle :)

It took more than 20 years until I was finally able to catch it on TV again (on the SciFi channel) It's still a thrill to watch to this day.

The actors and actresses in this particular episode were particularly talented and did an excellent job at portraying a cold, calculating family that methodically murders in laws for their money. In the end, young Jenny is saved in the nick of time by the local lawman. (This actor also played "Ben", the town miser on the Andy Griffith show)

Vultures

[AaronCapenBanner · 7/10 · 1 November 2014]

Richard Long, Joan Tetzel, and Otto Kruger portray Dick, Marion, and Burt Farrington, a family of lethal con-artists and swindlers who go from one unfortunate victim after another, usually involving marriage for profit followed by a most unfortunate "accident". One day, a Major Farrington(played by Leo G. Carroll) arrives to take the sister of a latest victim(and their next target) on a bird-watching expedition, but it then becomes a question of who is trying to fool who, and if one side or the other will catch on, and get away... Amusing yet sinister episode straddles the line between humor and menace with mostly good results, and has a most wry closing scene.

They kill people

[mlbroberts · 8/10 · 3 February 2023]

The Farrington Family gleefully kill people. The two younger members marry their victims first so they can collect insurance money and inheritances (victim number one happily drowned in a boating "accident" and victim number two backed off a cliff while her picture is taken.) The Farmingtons manage to party through life together for years, each time finding a new victim whenever the money runs out. Finally, however, the proposed next victim with the aid of an elderly friend catch them at it in an old haunted house (the one from Psycho). Tongue in cheek episode that introduces the actors one by one as they sit in electric chairs. Not to be taken seriously (believe it or not).