Fear No Evil/Ritual Of Evil
Just finished watching "Fear No Evil" and "Ritual of Evil" released by Kino Lorber on Blu-ray.
It's almost hard to believe that original horror movies that were made for television audiences were almost a weekly staple in the mid-1960s and throughout the 1970s, and more than quite often these movies - which were psychological tales with deep Gothic and supernatural overtones - were book door pilot episodes for purposed television series. For example, there were four original "Man From Atlantis" movies before NBC gave the greenlight for the short-lived 13-episode series of the same name.
"Fear No Evil" and "Ritual of Evil" were pilots for an NBC-TV series that was to be called "Bedeviled." Dr. David Sorell is a psychiatrist to rich California people, who is also an expert in The Occult. He often consults with his mentor, played by witty Wilfred Hyde-White. Jourdan believes in the powers of the supernatural, but approaches them as a rational scientist. He also has a way of meeting beautiful women and wicked people while pursuing the truth. Both films are well produced with fine acting, directing, photography, and music. TV scholar Gary Gerani provides interesting and informative commentaries to each film, and there are also two vintage Paul Frees-voiced trailers.
In "Fear No Evil," Sorell must discover why gorgeous Lynda Day George is being haunted by her late fiance, played by Bradford Dillman, who keeps appearing to her in an "infinity mirror." It is very cool the way black-clad Dillman invites Lynda into the mirror for torrid (for television) lovemaking. This leads Sorell to the Bradbury Building (seen in "Bladerunner" and many other movies) and a "Metaphysical Investigation Institute." This is all very rich in shadowy atmosphere, so important to an occult yarn. Think of The Bramford in "Rosemary's Baby." At the bottom of it all is the ancient demon Rakashi, summoned up by a cult of affluent weirdos, who has possessed one of the members. The movie takes care to make the various settings interesting. Sorell likes to surround himself with devil masks and supernatural bric-a-brac. All together, this is an enjoyably spooky yarn within the limits of a prime-time television movie. With Carroll O'Connor and Marsha Hunt.
"Ritual of Evil," made a year later, is much less absorbing. It does have splendid views of Santa Barbara with its amazing cliff-front mansions and magnificent Pacific view. Sorell investigates the death of a beautiful patient, found dead in the surf beneath the home of her aunt, an alcoholic society lady. Jourdan meets a beautiful witch , who tries to seduce him to join "The Dark Side." Generally, this movie lacks the dark atmosphere of its predecessor and plays more like a soap opera with witchcraft thrown in. Sorrell's office is conservative looking and lacks the occult trappings of his home. A small devil statue with boringly repeated red glowing eyes is way less intriguing than the ornate 'infinity mirror" in "Fear No Evil." So the proposed series "Bedeviled" never materialized, but in 1972, ABC had a similar-type series called "The Sixth Sense."
Strongly Recommended.
Five Stars.
https://www.amazon.com/Fear-Ritual-Do...
It's almost hard to believe that original horror movies that were made for television audiences were almost a weekly staple in the mid-1960s and throughout the 1970s, and more than quite often these movies - which were psychological tales with deep Gothic and supernatural overtones - were book door pilot episodes for purposed television series. For example, there were four original "Man From Atlantis" movies before NBC gave the greenlight for the short-lived 13-episode series of the same name.
"Fear No Evil" and "Ritual of Evil" were pilots for an NBC-TV series that was to be called "Bedeviled." Dr. David Sorell is a psychiatrist to rich California people, who is also an expert in The Occult. He often consults with his mentor, played by witty Wilfred Hyde-White. Jourdan believes in the powers of the supernatural, but approaches them as a rational scientist. He also has a way of meeting beautiful women and wicked people while pursuing the truth. Both films are well produced with fine acting, directing, photography, and music. TV scholar Gary Gerani provides interesting and informative commentaries to each film, and there are also two vintage Paul Frees-voiced trailers.
In "Fear No Evil," Sorell must discover why gorgeous Lynda Day George is being haunted by her late fiance, played by Bradford Dillman, who keeps appearing to her in an "infinity mirror." It is very cool the way black-clad Dillman invites Lynda into the mirror for torrid (for television) lovemaking. This leads Sorell to the Bradbury Building (seen in "Bladerunner" and many other movies) and a "Metaphysical Investigation Institute." This is all very rich in shadowy atmosphere, so important to an occult yarn. Think of The Bramford in "Rosemary's Baby." At the bottom of it all is the ancient demon Rakashi, summoned up by a cult of affluent weirdos, who has possessed one of the members. The movie takes care to make the various settings interesting. Sorell likes to surround himself with devil masks and supernatural bric-a-brac. All together, this is an enjoyably spooky yarn within the limits of a prime-time television movie. With Carroll O'Connor and Marsha Hunt.
"Ritual of Evil," made a year later, is much less absorbing. It does have splendid views of Santa Barbara with its amazing cliff-front mansions and magnificent Pacific view. Sorell investigates the death of a beautiful patient, found dead in the surf beneath the home of her aunt, an alcoholic society lady. Jourdan meets a beautiful witch , who tries to seduce him to join "The Dark Side." Generally, this movie lacks the dark atmosphere of its predecessor and plays more like a soap opera with witchcraft thrown in. Sorrell's office is conservative looking and lacks the occult trappings of his home. A small devil statue with boringly repeated red glowing eyes is way less intriguing than the ornate 'infinity mirror" in "Fear No Evil." So the proposed series "Bedeviled" never materialized, but in 1972, ABC had a similar-type series called "The Sixth Sense."
Strongly Recommended.
Five Stars.
https://www.amazon.com/Fear-Ritual-Do...
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