Trilogy of Terror
| Trilogy of Terror | |
|---|---|
Film poster
|
|
| Genre | Horror Thriller |
| Written by |
Richard Matheson William F. Nolan |
| Directed by | Dan Curtis |
| Starring |
Karen Black John Karlen George Gaynes |
| Music by | Robert Cobert |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Original language(s) | English |
| Production | |
| Producer(s) |
Dan Curtis Robert Singer (associate producer) |
| Cinematography | Paul Lohmann |
| Editor(s) | Les Green |
| Running time | 72 mins |
| Production company(s) |
ABC Circle Films Dan Curtis Productions]] |
| Distributor | ABC |
| Release | |
| Original network | ABC |
| Original release | March 4, 1975 (United States) |
| Chronology | |
| Followed by | Trilogy of Terror II |
Trilogy of Terror (also known in the United States as Tales of Terror and Terror of the Doll) is a made-for-television anthology horror film, first aired as an ABC Movie of the Week on March 4, 1975. The film, was directed by Dan Curtis, and starred Karen Black.
All three segments are based on unrelated short stories written by Richard Matheson. Each segment title is the name of each story's protagonist, all played by Black. Black initially turned down the project, but reconsidered when her then-husband, Robert Burton, was cast. A television film sequel, Trilogy of Terror II, written and also directed by Dan Curtis was released in 1996.
Chad (Robert Burton) is a college student with a crush on his English teacher, Julie Eldrich (Karen Black). During one class, Chad is distracted by Julie's thigh as she sits on her desk and daydreams about her. After Chad reveals his fantasies to his friend Eddie (James Storm), Eddie describes Julie as "ugly" and discourages him from becoming romantically involved with teachers. Later that evening, when Julie is undressing in her room, Chad watches her through a window. The next day, he asks Julie out on a date. She initially refuses, but later accepts the offer.
During the date at a drive-in theater, Chad spikes Julie's drink, rendering her unconscious and drives her to a motel. After checking them in as husband and wife, he photographs her in a variety of sexually provocative positions. She begins to regain consciousness, and Chad takes her home, explaining that she had just fallen asleep.
After developing the photographs in his darkroom, Chad shows the pictures to Julie. She is furious and threatens to call the police. Chad blackmails Julie into submitting to his romantic attentions, and she reluctantly agrees.
After several weeks of this, Julie announces, "The game is over." She reveals that it was actually she who had manipulated Chad in an elaborate role play of her own design. "Did you really think that dull, little mind of yours could possibly have conceived any of the rather dramatic experiences we've shared? Why do you think you suddenly had the overwhelming desire to see what I looked like under 'all those clothes?' Don't feel bad... I always get bored after a while." Chad realizes that Julie has poisoned his drink, and then he dies. Julie drags his body into the darkroom where she sets fire to the offending photographs. Chad's death is later reported in local media as a house fire. Julie adds the newspaper story to a scrapbook of articles depicting students who met similar fates. There is a knock at the door, and another student (played in a bit role by Gregory Harrison) in need of a tutor enters.
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