Adulterer Talmudge (a nicely smarmy portrayal by John Ericson) seeks shelter from the rain at a funeral home. The mortician (a pleasingly sinister performance by Ivor Francis) who runs the place relates four stories on how a quartet of people wound up as clients at the funeral home.
First yarn - Spiteful child-hating school teacher Miss Sibiler (ably played to the snarky hilt by Judith Novgrod) receives an unexpected late night visit from a bunch of kids wearing creepy masks. This tight and tense segment concludes on a truly unsettling note.
Second vignette - A happy-go-lucky misogynistic psycho films himself murdering various women. This is the weakest of the four stories because it doesn't amount to much. Fortunately, it's still watchable thanks to the infectious aplomb that Burr DeBenning brings to his merry wacko role.
Third tale - Two ace detectives compete with each other to be the world's leading criminologist. A cleverly written little delight that's given further spark and impact by the zestful acting from Bernard Fox and Charles Aidman as the radically contrasting rival sleuths. Extras points for the cool double twist ending.
Fourth segment - Arrogant and insensitive jerk Cantwell (a spot-on obnoxious turn by Richard Gates) finds himself being tormented in an empty derelict building by an unseen persecutor. It's a real pleasure to see this despicable SOB get put through the wringer as he gradually learns a painful lesson in humility and humanity.
Director Sharron Miller maintains a steady pace and adroitly crafts an appropriately spooky atmosphere in the wraparound segment that reaches a highly satisfying harsh conclusion with Talmudge paying a bitter price for his infidelity. Stan Worth's shivery score and Ken Gilb's fairly polished cinematography are both up to par. Better still, all the stories make interesting points on basic human flaws and frailties. An unjustly obscure sleeper that's well worth rediscovering.
First yarn - Spiteful child-hating school teacher Miss Sibiler (ably played to the snarky hilt by Judith Novgrod) receives an unexpected late night visit from a bunch of kids wearing creepy masks. This tight and tense segment concludes on a truly unsettling note.
Second vignette - A happy-go-lucky misogynistic psycho films himself murdering various women. This is the weakest of the four stories because it doesn't amount to much. Fortunately, it's still watchable thanks to the infectious aplomb that Burr DeBenning brings to his merry wacko role.
Third tale - Two ace detectives compete with each other to be the world's leading criminologist. A cleverly written little delight that's given further spark and impact by the zestful acting from Bernard Fox and Charles Aidman as the radically contrasting rival sleuths. Extras points for the cool double twist ending.
Fourth segment - Arrogant and insensitive jerk Cantwell (a spot-on obnoxious turn by Richard Gates) finds himself being tormented in an empty derelict building by an unseen persecutor. It's a real pleasure to see this despicable SOB get put through the wringer as he gradually learns a painful lesson in humility and humanity.
Director Sharron Miller maintains a steady pace and adroitly crafts an appropriately spooky atmosphere in the wraparound segment that reaches a highly satisfying harsh conclusion with Talmudge paying a bitter price for his infidelity. Stan Worth's shivery score and Ken Gilb's fairly polished cinematography are both up to par. Better still, all the stories make interesting points on basic human flaws and frailties. An unjustly obscure sleeper that's well worth rediscovering.