Thriller (TV Series) Color Him Dead (1974) User Reviews

Someone Is After "The Manster"!!!!!

[kidboots · 5/10 · 24 February 2011]

Having purchased the complete series of "Thriller", I am trying to watch them in order and so far I am just staggered by the suspense and uniqueness of this amazing show. However....."K Is for Killing" is an extremely weak episode. Comedy and wit compete with thrills as two Carnaby Street sleuths are hired to protect a wealthy business man from an unseen assassin - and it just doesn't work!!

Sally and Arden Buckley (delicious Gayle Hunnicutt and dapper Stephen Rea) are a trendy husband and wife team of private detectives. She is vague and adoring, he has a passion for old movie quotes and does a mean impersonation of Humphrey Bogart - remember back to the early 70s, there was always someone ready to do cheesy impersonations (usually of James Cagney) and they were not always applauded. Anyway, they are hired by a dissolute playboy "Sonny" to look after his father (Peter Dyneley) after an attempt is made on his life.

This is were the show got quite interesting for me - the name Peter Dyneley rang bells and then I remembered... yes, he was the voice of Jeff Tracy in "Thunderbirds", but he was also in "The Manster". It was a really scary movie from the early 60s - he played an American reporter in Japan and when given an injection by a mad Japanese scientist turns into a horrible two headed monster with an eye growing out of his shoulder - I will always remember that eye!!!! In "K Is For Killing" he plays David Garrick, who has a few skeletons in his closet - a mad wife whose childlike devotion quickly turns to hate (Jean Kent, a beautiful star of British films of the 40s, plays her to perfection).

What is different in this particular "Thriller" is the obviousness of who the culprit was. There is not the characterization of minor player that has been such a standout in all the "Thrillers" I have watched so far. I wonder if that was because it was co-written by Terry Nation. The only suspicious character was Garrick's sour secretary - and she soon petered out. A very disappointing entry from a topnotch series.

Zzz is for Snoring

[stwmby · 6/10 · 16 March 2021]

Frivolous, childish, and mildly irritating - this episode of Thriller is easily the worst I've watched, and a challenge to sit through to the end.

Obviously made as a mild pastiche of the film noir Beatty/Bacall/Thin Man films of the 30s and 40s, this film crucially lacks any character definition, suspense, tension, or atmosphere (the incidental music sounds like a reject for Terry and June or Bless This House).

Quite simply, it fails on every level.

None of the characters are terribly likeable, so one feels absolutely nothing for them throughout; indeed it's hard to tell which of the husband and wife detective team is more annoying - ultimately the wife wins out, just.

The scene where she flippantly taunts a gunman with a hoover whilst he's pointing a revolver at her leaves you tempted to shout at the screen "FOR GOD'S SAKE SHOOT HER"

As hard as it was, I persevered to the end, only because I've been binge watching all six series whilst laid up with a broken leg, and this is one of the last on the list.

Having, as I said, watched most of the Thriller series, I must say - they don't half get through some scotch in these shows! I honestly don't think there's a single episode where the main characters aren't regularly dousing themselves from a whisky decanter (probably the same one)

This episode gets a generous six only because, as poor as it is, it is still streets ahead of anything being made by the BBC or ITV today.

Now that's a depressing thought.

Ps: This episode of Thriller is NOTHING like the Avengers...!

A qualified success.

[analoguebubblebath · 7/10 · 5 September 2005]

'K Is For Killing' remains one of the most divisive episodes of 'Thriller'. It is the penultimate episode of a thoroughly riveting second series and has been criticised by many for its lighter tone and comedic elements. In my opinion it is pretty effective, if a little unexpected in the way it pans out.

Stephen Rea makes one of his early career appearances as Arden Buckley, one half of an eccentric husband and wife team of private investigators. His wife, Suzy is played to perfection by the impeccably stunning Gayle Hunnicutt. In some ways, 'K Is For Killing' is a forerunner for David O. Russell's hilarious 'I Heart Huckabees' film from last year which cast Lily Tomlin and Dustin Hoffman in similar roles.

The Buckleys are employed by Sunny Garrick, who is convinced that his wealthy father David is in line for a nasty assassination. Christopher Cazenove plays the role of Sunny effectively. Fans of Hammer House Of Mystery And Suspense would later see him give the performance of his life a decade later in the chilling ghost story 'In Possession'.

The action unfolds in a somewhat lighthearted fashion but remains interesting because of, rather than despite, the comedy. Hunnicutt is a joy to watch and the episode has much to recommend it.

A qualified success.

Carry on Thriller

[Sleepin_Dragon · 4/10 · 10 January 2018]

You could have been forgiven for thinking this was penned for Gerald Thomas, with Sid James and Barbara Windsor as the charismatic crime solving duo, to my horror the great Terry Nation had a hand in this. The story is pretty good, but pretty much from the off everyone is sending it up, funny laughs, humour at inappropriate times, the whole 'Thriller' premise is ignored. Humour works when it's offset with a dark tone, there is none of that here, it's just rather silly. I don't blame the actors, Christopher Cazenove is rather good, but the direction is poor. If you haven't sussed the bad guy within minutes then there's something wrong, as their identity is glaringly obvious. The first episode in this series I've disliked.

Poor & Annoying

[tomrawlinson-60232 · 1/10 · 4 May 2022]

As with previous reviewers, I have the box set. Watching them in order. All the previous episodes are excellent, but this is dire. Trying to be "funny" and suspenseful, it falls between two stools. I like all these actors but this was a hamfest. Stephen Rea's accent/voice particularly annoying. Worst of series so far by a country mile.

Disappointing

[youngsteve · 3/10 · 28 April 2006]

Definitely one of the more disappointing episodes in the Thriller series, if not the worst. It tries to bring a comedy feel into it, with the central detective couple, a sort of thin man or McMillan & wife partnership. Unfortunately, although good actors, both Stephen Rae & Gayle Hunnicott seem misplaced, with no real chemistry between them. The other actors try hard, but fail miserably.The comic moments added little, which isn't helped by a silly plot line, & even worse a lack of any tension throughout.

I thought David Jason was in it at one point, but only later did I realise it was his real life brother.

Bad, Really Bad

[greyharley-256-482301 · 1/10 · 30 July 2023]

I cannot tell you how much you should avoid this episode. I'm a big fan of Thriller and will always excuse the dated aspect, but this is just absolutely awful. The 'humour' made me cringe so much I don't know how I got through it. Characters cracking jokes when they've got guns pointed in their faces and If they were funny jokes you might forgive it, but god they're not funny.

I realise I have not reviewed the episode at all here but I probably couldn't tell you what happened in it anyway. I was too busy fuming at wasting an hour of my well earned day off!

It was that bad I had to leave my first review to warn people.

AVOID AT ALL COSTS!

Strange - But It Works!

[all-briscoe · 1 April 2003]

Another episode of Brian Clemens's "Thriller". It is a highly atypical offering from that very austere, dark series. It has had a mixed reception from fans. However to me it is just as brilliant and even if it might not work for everyone as a thriller it would not disappoint anyone looking for comedy.

Tycoon David Garrick narrowly escapes an assassination attempt. He is fairly unruffled by this but his playboy son, Sunny, is very concerned. He recruits unconventional private detectives Arden and Suzy Buckley to investigate. David Garrick is pretty unpopular so there is no shortage of suspects. It becomes evident that the prospective killer has hired professionals to do the job who will ruthlessly eliminate those who frustrate their plans. Who wants David Garrick dead - and why?

The story outline is actually remarkably conventional and certainly this could have been handled straight with minor adjustment. A straight adaptation would certainly have been interesting to see. However the execution is an inspired comedy-thriller. As his work on "The Avengers" showed, Clemens (though writing here with Terry Nation) could write drama with wit and fine comic touches. In this story the Buckleys, as a duo, bear a passing resemblance to Steed and his ladies but them being a married couple provides a new twist. Their banter is marvellously funny but they are also pretty effective at what they do. Their unflappability makes a nice contrast with the otherwise intense "Thriller" heroes. They are truly likeable, lacking the arrogance and vindictiveness of the usual screen detectives.

They are backed by a superb set of supporting characters: David Garrick - a man with little time for his son, literally or metaphorically; Sunny, his effortlessly suave, charming son; refined criminal broker Shelby Grafton and his silent bimbo girlfriend; nervous informer Charley Wilson; Mrs. Gale, David Garrick's elegant but unfaithful girlfriend; and a young Northern hit-man. Most noteworthy is Garrick's estranged, demented wife who swings between childish innocence and disturbing, aggressive outbursts. Her character is more in the "Thriller" tradition and provides fine contrast with the more comic figures.

The acting is excellent. Stephen Rea (in an early role) and Gayle Hunnicutt are splendid in their central roles. Gayle employs an impeccable English accent, although her character is American.Christopher Cazenove, also making one of his first appearances, exudes charm through his voice and demeanour and was just made for these roles. It is great to see Peter Dyneley in the flesh - best known as the voice of Jeff Tracy in "Thunderbirds". Derek Francis is exceptional as the unscrupulous Grafton.

All the other roles mentioned above are beautifully-handled. The true honours must go though to Jean Kent who is utterly convincing as the shattered Mrs. Garrick.

There are many splendid scenes, stylish dialogue and sharp direction. All rests though, as always on the superb script of Clemens and Nation. One wonders whether there could have been more mileage in this format and the characters of the Buckleys - a show was mooted but never got off the ground. It may have been hard to sustain such quality in the long-term. Maybe it was best to have this one example. It certainly is an absolute pearl and deserves to be seen!

We're Needed Mrs Gale

[charlestt-26841 · 8/10 · 29 July 2018]

I am surprised nobody seems to have noticed this for reviewing this episode, but allow me. I bought the Complete Thriller Collection recently, and should they have the episodes in order, that is how I've been watching them. Also, this is the very first time I have seen this series, and after seeing quite a lot of episodes in this set, I bumped into this one, and frankly it is a delight.

Brain Clemons enjoyed the most writing credits for the tv show The Avengers, and it's obvious, overly so, that Brain was having another go at that series with this episode. I can only wonder if he did this sort of trick with any further episodes from the rest of this series.

Look at the parallels. You have a very witty husband/wife team of detectives, with quite a lot of wit from guest players as well, and, as is typical in The Avengers series, clever, all so very clever. This team of Avengers, if you will, I find quite pleasing, though it doesn't quite have the edge of the avengers series, and it does lose something of that edge in being live action.

Yes, the episode even has a character named "Mrs. Gale", the name of the first Avengers girl. Knowing how quickly in this episode I had come to recognizing what Clemons was doing here, I am a bit surprised he didn't use the names of the other avengers girls somewhere else in it, but Gale is sufficient enough to get the point across.

I'm not sure if the female lead here was supposed to be Mrs Peel or Mrs Gale, but she gets stranded with the burrowed Jaguar when the Mr Steed equivalent ends up taking a motor scooter help from a passer-by. Perhaps it's best we think of the wife of this sort of Mr Steed figure (not the least bit like him BTW) as a Mrs Steed? But as he tells her that surely somebody else will be by pretty soon she is left to her own devices. I found it quite funny that for the first motorist whom happens by, Mrs Steed raises her skirt and shows some leg, which is very, very avenger-esque. I definitely enjoy a bit of avenger's flavor to a Clemons story, especially since I had no idea it was coming.

This episode was between the Avengers and The New Avengers. I do not know if The New Avengers followed the sort of scheme to it's series or not, as I haven't seen it, but it does show Brain Clemons, and others, certainly didn't give up on the basic scheme of The Avengers series even during the long absence between the two series. I never would had thought I could see a completely different set of actors doing the avengers role and it come off quite so well. They were quite playful and every much as believable as Steed and Peel, or Steed and King (Steed and Gale were really more into being serious).