IslandGuru Who payed the critics

ChikPapa Very disappointed :(

Livestonth I am only giving this movie a 1 for the great cast, though I can't imagine what any of them were thinking. This movie was horrible

Sameer Callahan It really made me laugh, but for some moments I was tearing up because I could relate so much.

moonspinner55 Here's a case for Darrin McGavin's Kolchak from "The Night Stalker": a writer in San Francisco, investigating the occult, disappears after helping a widow rid her estate of her dead husband, who had risen from his tomb seeking human blood to complete a demonic statue. TV-made pilot for a proposed NBC series was filmed on rainy Monterey locations by "Night Stalker" mainstay Dan Curtis. It barely gets by in the shocks department, with one padded sequence in a motel room echoing "Psycho" and the rest weighed down with talk. Claude Akins has a dire role as the unbelieving county sheriff determined to keep a lid on this thing lest the public be unnecessarily worried; considering that a young woman was recently drained completely dry of her blood from the front seat of her car, you would think Sheriff Akins would be a bit more receptive to the fact a vampire is loose! Open-ended final scene begs for an explanation, but the network wasn't interested. One can see why, this is just a Kolchak redux.

TVholic Finally saw this after almost 40 years. I didn't catch it on its original network broadcast. I have to agree with other reviews that say it's an inferior version of Kolchak: The Night Stalker.They have much in common, but so many differences in the ways that count. Darren McGavin was a much better actor in a much better written role, delivering that snappy, sardonic voice-over narration and funny quips, all with the infectious energy that Kolchak always showed and the quirkiness that tied it all together. Kolchak was very much interested in his stories, while Norliss seemed like he was rather reluctant and bored. There was no depth to David Norliss and the proceedings just slogged on monotonously. McGavin's acting made Kolchak's episodes worth watching even when the scripts were bad, not to mention his great ing characters, both recurring and guests. Norliss was essentially a lone wolf. What was most amazing of all is that Kolchak continued to entertain by slaying monsters (literally) and police officials (figuratively) alike despite McGavin's disdain for the scripts and his bitterness over having been cheated of his promised role as series executive producer. That's the mark of a true professional and a great actor. Thinnes wasn't given much to work with here. He seemed like he was almost sleepwalking through the movie. And unlike Kolchak, Norliss barely interacted with other characters, let alone spar verbally with them.Worse, the blue-skinned zombie was every bit as bad as Kolchak's often embarrassing monsters. But without McGavin to distract from the situation, there was no disguising the silliness. Other similarities include Robert Cobert's creepy sul ponticello tremolando on the violin, so familiar from Kolchak episodes and opening titles, and the disbelieving sheriff.All in all, I'll stick with my DVD set of the Kolchak series. When the Norliss pilot ended, I really didn't care what had caused his mysterious disappearance and wouldn't have watched had the show been picked up by a network. It was only marginally better than the Night Stalker remake of 2005.

DVD_Connoisseur It's not often that I'm left unimpressed by cult programmes or films. "The Norliss Tapes", however, is an exception to the rule. Had I watched this made-for-television pilot at a tender age in the '70s, I would have no doubt been impressed by the creepy goings on. Watching this today, the production is poor and uninspiring. Blue faced vampires that make strange roaring noises do not make thrilling or chilling television. Fans may argue that this pilot is original for its time. Compared to the '70s plays by Nigel Kneale, this is horror by numbers. It lacks any real drama or substance. Even the presence of Angie Dickinson couldn't save this turkey.In short, this is best avoided - a waste of 80 minutes.

ChiefGoreMongral Today were talking 1970's made for TV in the form of Dan Curtis's The Norliss Tapes. Throughout the last several years I have been to several horror conventions and have been on line long enough to know that this movie has been in high demand by 70's horror fans. Thanks to Anchor Bay we finally get a legit release (throw away those boots y'all). Is it really any good is the question. Let's take a look.As the title states this film is about a writer David Norliss who for the last year has been working on a novel to debunk supernatural an occult happenings. More specifically those who use the occult to make a fortune on others beliefs in it and the suffering of those who have lost loved ones. Unfortunately for Mr.Norliss over that year time frame he has apparently gotten in too deep with his investigations and call his publisher for a meeting.David does not show up to this meeting and the publisher begins to get worried and decides to visit David at his home. Upon visiting David Norliss's house he finds tapes that detail each experience he has been involved with over the last year. This movie (which was a pilot for a supposed series) tells the tale of the first tape that was found by Norliss's publisher that goes on to show that sometimes, the supernatural can be more real than you could ever imagine.David Norliss is drawn into a strange case involving a wealthy widow (played by Angie Dickenson) who is attacked....by her dead husband. As expected nobody believes her and its up to Norliss to find the clues that would prove what she says is true and more importantly how her supposed dead husband is back!!! If you are a fan of Dan Curtis items such as The Nightstalker and Kolchak series you are in for a treat as this follows the same style. I really ended up enjoying this one as it plays out like a horror mystery movie. Instead of there being a guy in a werewolf suit or somebody human behind the plot we get a mystery that involves the occult and who is involved in the circle of evil.It's a real shame this was not picked up as a full series as this could have really been excellent. At the end of the movie the publisher begins to put in the next tape to see at what point David began to get into trouble with his occult investigations....unfortunately we will never know but this film stands well on its own and another example of the best made for TV movie era ....the 70's. I give "The Norliss Tapes": 7/10: Good, another solid example of the era that was The Dan Curtis era...as far as 70's made for TV is concerned.Until next time when your dead spouse stars at you with those reddish yellow eyes they are probably not thinking about sweet lovin...GET THE HECK OUT ASAP!!!