''Trilogy of Terror'' (1975)

By Crusader1307

 The Classic 1975 made for television Horror Film ''Trilogy of Terror'' was produced by Horror Master Dan Curtis. Still popular, it starred iconic Film and TV character Actress Karen Black, the film is an anthology based piece of three terror tales, all female centered. The first segment deals with a ''shy'' teacher who is supposedly seduced and ''controlled'' by one of Her Students. Turns out, it is She that is the ''Master'' (of sorts). The second deals with a case of split personality with evil results. But the last is what the film is really known for. Dealing with a pretty but ''henpecked'' (by Her Mother) Woman, she lives alone – save the constant bother of her Mom. Still a dutiful daughter, She decides to buy her Mother a present for Her upcoming birthday. Going into an out of the way antique Store – Our Heroine ''finds'' an unusual piece. From Africa, it is a rather fierce looking Zuni Fetish ''Warrior'' Doll (equipped with to scale, razor sharp Spear). The ''gift'' comes with two rather stranger accessories as well. The Doll is covered with a gold chain, and a warning note. The ''instructions'' state that when a Zuni Warrior ''died'' His Spirit was placed inside such a figure. Kept ''secured'' with a blessed chain, One will be fine unless the chain ever is removed. Clever, strange and funny – She buys the Doll.


While at home, Our Girl accidentally removes the chain. Taking a bath, She comes back later to find the Doll gone. Looking for it, she finds the ''warning'' apt. The Doll has come to life and is not to impressed with Her. It tries numerous times to stab Her. Trying to trap, beat (and other methods) to destroy the cursed figure, Our Heroine finally places the Doll into an oven, setting it on fire (screaming as it burns). Done and done, right? Wrong. As She opens the oven, the Doll leaps to life and the camera cuts to black. Later, we see Out Girl from the back, talking to Her Mom on the phone, and inviting Her to ''come over for Her present''. Hanging up the phone, She lurches to the front door and smashes it open. Going down on Her haunches, the camera shows Her from the front. Her eyes are catlike and Her mouth is a collection of razor sharp fangs (a face just like the Doll). She also is holding a large knife, smashing it over and over again into the floor......she is smiling.....she is WAITING!


Perhaps the best ''scare scene'' ever on American Television to date, ''Trilogy of Terror'' was ''added to'' in 1996 with a direct to video ''Trilogy of Terror II''. Also following the anthology genre, it was not as successful as the original. It did capitalize on the last ''Doll'' story, with a segment which found the Doll in the custody of a Coroner (female), who was examining the ''victims'' of the last movie. As one can guess, the chain comes off yet again in The Morgue to predictable results. The first film is still easy to find and greatly recommended, the second is a pass.