''Night Gallery'' (1970-1973)

By Crusader1307

Moving away from Film for A minute, another Medium for good (and bad) Horror is that of Television. And perhaps it's "Golden Age" was the mid-1960s thru 1970s. A much overlooked and even perhaps forgotten gem was known as "Night Gallery". Shown on American Television between 1970 and 1973, it was produced and narrated by small screen icon Rod Serling of "The Twilight Zone" fame. But unlike that piece which catered to mostly fantasy and science-fiction, "Night Gallery" was Horror (with a little humor thrown in t times). Based on 1969s stand alone film (also for TV) of the same name - each of the 43 episodes of the series were splendid pieces of classic and contemporary horror. Many of the scripts were written by Serling with help from such names as Bloch, Bradbury and punctuated by the likes of Poe and of course, Lovecraft. The premise was The Viewer entered into closed Art Gallery which had a collection of oil paintings each more terrifying than the next. The Guide (Serling) "introduces" the story behind each such (or the episode one watched). Many "big name" Hollywood Stars acted in the Show, as did a few of Television greats (and those that would be). The "list" is endless of names. Each episode ran 45 minutes, often with a 3 minute "quickie" of macabre humor at the end. Sadly, with so many then Networks competing for time and producing "knockoffs", ratings would fall. That and Rod Serlings declining health, would end the series (sadly never re-imagined to date). Still found on DVD "Night Gallery" - although dated, is a MUST see.