The Dead Don't Die (1975) (TV)

Director:

Curtis Harrington

Writer:

Robert Bloch (writer)

Release Date:

14 January 1975 (USA)

Genre:

Horror | Thriller

Plot:

In the 1930s, a sailor trying to prove that his brother was wrongly executed for murder finds himself becoming drawn in the occult world.

Plot Keywords:

Brother | Zombie | Murder | 1930s | Occult

Cast

George Hamilton	...	Don Drake
Linda Cristal	...	Vera LaValle
Joan Blondell	...	Levenia
Ralph Meeker	...	Lieutenant Reardon
James McEachin	...	Frankie Specht
Reggie Nalder	...	Perdido
Ray Milland	...	Jim Moss / Varrick
Jerry Douglas	...	Ralph Drake
Milton Parsons	...	Frazier, Undertaker
William O'Connell	...	Priest
Yvette Vickers	...	Miss Adrian
Brendan Dillon	...	Prison Chaplain
Russ Grieve	...	Prison Guard
Bill Smillie	...	Newspaper Man

Runtime:

74 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Company:

Douglas S. Cramer Company

Puppeteer of the dead.

Ralph Drake is about to be executed for the death of his wife, but he claims he's innocent and wouldn't dare harm her. His brother Don promises to find the real killer and clear his name. This leads him into an unusual world, where nothing seems quite right and he doesn't know who to really trust. The mysterious Vera LaValle warns him he's in trouble in if he digs deeper and he sees his dead brother. The only one who he can really turn to is Ralph's former employer Moss, who runs a marathon dance hall.

Traditional voodoo/occult mumbo jumbo is the source behind this quite eerie, foggy, and darkly atmospheric made for television horror fable. It's all about the mysterious story, and moody shades in what you call an old-fashion slow-burner, which throws around little edgy suspense and some knotty twists to keep the audience rather unsure if it's reality or nightmares affecting the protagonist. In that role George Hamilton gives a winning performance. The premise is penned by "Psycho (1968)" writer Robert Block and while it can drag in parts. Still the concept (like out of a crime-pulp novel) has a unique quality that goes well with the gloomy setting, 1930's time frame and some spooky set pieces that feature a prominently subtle, skin-crawling performance by Reggie Nalder. There are faults evident in the story's uncertain structure, but the dreamlike appearance helps slightly to iron out those creases. Those looking for zombie action will only get it in minor, if unspectacular doses. Director Curtis Harrington goes about things very low-key, but competently puts it together and executes a shadowy tenor. The film has that washed-out look, but the camera-work is crisply tailored and the ominous sting in the electronic music score adds to the able production. A top cast, commits highly to the production. Hamilton and Nalder are perfect. Ray Milland is boldly effective as Moss and Linda Cristal smoothly glides through her part as Vera. In admirably solid support parts are Joan Blondell, Ralph Meeker and James McEachin. Yvette Vickers also makes a colourfully quick appearance.

A delightfully decent TV chiller.