The Norliss Tapes
by Dan Curtis
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DVD details
Actor: Angie Dickinson, Claude Akins, Don Porter, Michele Carey, Roy ThinnesDirector: Dan Curtis
Brand: STARZ HOME ENTERTAINMENT
Cinematographer: Ben Colman
Producer: Dan Curtis
Editor: John F. Link
Producer: Charles W. Fries
Producer: Robert Singer
Writer: Fred Mustard Stewart
Writer: William F. Nolan
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Unknown), Dolby Digital 1.0; English (Original Language), Dolby Digital 1.0
Format: Color, DVD, NTSC
Picture Format: 1.33:1
Running Time: 72 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2006-10-03
Audience Rating: Unrated
Studio: Starz / Anchor Bay
DVD Reviews of The Norliss Tapes
DVD Review: 70's TV movie classic finally comes to DVD
Summary: 3 Stars
A long time favorite of mine "The Norliss Tapes" finally arrives on DVD in a very nice transfer but without any extras to speak of. Although it's a cut or two below "The Night Stalker" Curtis uses many of the same techniques to tell his story here about psychic investigator and writer David Norliss(Roy Thinnes from "The Invaders" and later a guest star on "The X-Files") has disappeared after investigating the strange case of a man who seemingly has come back from the dead. Unlike Kolchak in "The Night Stalker" Norliss is out to discredit the supernatural until he encounters Helen Court(Angie Dickinson). James Court her husband has died but he appears to have come back. Norliss disappears shortly after starting work on his book. His worried publisher shows up at Norliss' place and ends up listening to the story and we, in turn, hear Norliss tell the bizarre tale of James Court.
Although "The Norliss Tapes" hasn't aged as well as some other films from the same era it still manages to induce a few chills and be entertaining. Directed by Dan Curtis ("Dark Shadows", producer of "The Night Stalker" and director of "Trilogy of Terror")the film was originally a pilot for a TV series but plays just as well as a stand alone film. We never find out what happened to Norliss and the tale does indeed creep us out. Although not as well written as "The Night Stalker" or "Trilogy of Terror"(both scripted by Richard Matheson and Matheson with William F. Nolan respectively)Nolan's script of the Fred Mustard Stewart story has enough jolts to make the TV film memorable.
I am disappointed that Anchor Bay didn't give this film the complete care they gave cult classics like "Race with the Devil"; although Curtis is no longer with us Thinnes is around as is Dickinson and both could have been contacted for a commentary track at the very least. Also it would have provided the perfect opportunity for Anchor Bay to do a featurette on Curtis who was the consumate TV director working in a variety of genres (he directed "The Winds of War", "War and Rememberence" in addition to "The Night Strangler" and other horror projects)and creating memorable work.
Although "The Norliss Tapes" isn't quite as successful as Curtis' other projects from the time it's still enjoyable and has enough creepy atmosphere to make it worthwhile. A warning to fans of gore driven horror films--this film is not into gore and it's scary moments will seem tame compared to most theatrical films like "The Hills Have Eyes" or "Saw" but it's from another era where acting and suspense were more important than gore for the sake of gore.
I'm happy to finally have this on DVD now I'm hoping that Anchor Bay can license "Night Slaves" a great little sci-fi thriller directed by Ted Post. Many of these vintage 70's films are getting the loving care that they deserve (and I have no complaints whatsoever about Anchor Bay's transfer the film looks surprisingly good)so I'm hoping that either Anchor Bay or Dark Sky will continue to mine the vaults for these minor gems.
Description of The Norliss Tapes
Before THE X FILES, There Was THE NORLISS TAPES From Dan Curtis Of DARK SHADOWS, TRILOGY OF TERROR & THE NIGHT STALKER Roy Thinnes stars as David Norliss, an investigative reporter writing a book exposing supernatural hoaxes and paranormal phenomena. But after a frightened phone call to his publisher, Norliss disappears leaving only a stack of cassettes on which he?s dictated his strange findings. When a wealthy widow (Angie Dickinson) is attacked by the crazed corpse of her recently deceased husband, Norliss discovers a horrific case of empty crypts, blood-drained corpses and occult violence. What is the significance of an ancient Egyptian scarab? Who is completing a bizarre sculpture in the dead man?s studio? And what has happened to David himself? The terrifying answers ? and shocking truth ? may lay hidden in THE NORLISS TAPES. Vonetta McGee (BLACULA) and Claude Akins co-star in this landmark pilot produced and directed by Dan Curtis (DARK SHADOWS, THE NIGHT STALKER) and written by William F. Nolan (LOGAN?S RUN, BURNT OFFERINGS) that fans still call one of the most frightening made-for-TV movies of the decade.Bestsellers in DVD
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