5 reviews
"There's an old nag I've got to get rid of."
- classicsoncall
- Mar 9, 2012
- Permalink
Robert Bloch's Western THRILLER
Robert Bloch scripts this unusual black comedy set in the Old West, featuring Henry Jones (from "The Weird Tailor") as an undertaker who murders his wife then moves elsewhere to court a new bride who turns out to be both old and fat (Reta Shaw). He covers his occupation by proclaiming himself a 'Southern planter,' (from St. Louis?) but is swiftly dismissed by his fiancée's brother (Philip Ober) and sister-in-law (Jocelyn Brando, previously seen in "Worse Than Murder"). Figuring to conquer his penniless existence by eloping, he soon learns that the brother holds all the purse strings, now stuck in the same situation with his new wife as the old one. Edgar Buchanan steals it as Doc O'Connor, a wily quack with a reputation for administering poison, whom Jones engages to get rid of 'an old nag.' Also featuring Western veteran Jim Davis as the local marshal, enjoying his share of amusement. Like Bloch's earlier "A Good Imagination," a final twist denies our hero the opportunity to enjoy his short-lived good fortune. A little jewel among the final round of THRILLERs.
- kevinolzak
- May 19, 2009
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Only One to a Box
Weasel Henry Jones, an undertaker, decides to kill his wife, move to the West, and marry a woman with whom he has been corresponding. He thinks she is rich, but when he quickly marries her (she is ugly and temperamental), he finds out the money belongs to her brother and she has been disinherited. Soon he's hooking up with a saloon girl and wants out of this marriage. Well, you can imagine. He is one of the most unlikable of the Thriller characters. He has no morals and seems to revel in his evil victories. He is also a heavy drinker which is not good for his activities. Edgar Buchanan, a great character actor plays a horse doctor turned physician in the town, is delightful. Irony is involved in this story so see if you can guess.
Death Comes Soon
Henry Jones stars as frustrated undertaker Carl Somers, who has just murdered his nagging wife in hopes of moving west to marry a wealthy woman he corresponds with through letters named Celia Hooper(played by Rita Shaw), only to meet bitter disappointment when Celia turns out to be grossly overweight and unattractive. He marries her anyway, only to find that he can't access her money because his brother-in-law(played by Philip Ober) dislikes him, leaving him little choice but to plan another murder, only this time it will turn out differently... Marginal episode has many elements of dark humor that sporadically work, though the twist ending is a good one.
- AaronCapenBanner
- Nov 1, 2014
- Permalink
Carl Somers has issues....
Carl Somers is not a very nice guy. He's been writing to a spinster and plans on marrying her. However, he IS already married. He takes care of that problem is the way you'd expect on "Thriller"--he kills his wife. Then he moves to the town where this spinster lives and plans on marrying her because her family is rich. He's shocked to see she's fatter and older than her photo--but no matter, as the family is loaded and Carl needs money for his undertaking business. However, the joke is on Carl--the new wife's family disinherits her and he's now stuck with a wife he cannot stand and cannot afford. To make things worse--this is a very, very quiet and peaceful western town and no one shoots anybody!! And, there's a new doctor in town (Edgar Buchanan) who is just doing too good a job. However, Carl soon learns a secret about the Doc--and maybe the two of them can work together.
"Thriller" occasionally made humorous episodes--though with varying degrees of success. This one works better than most--with a deliciously nasty villain that you enjoy watching as he 'does his stuff'! It also has a very juicy ending! Enjoyable and sick...and that works for me.
"Thriller" occasionally made humorous episodes--though with varying degrees of success. This one works better than most--with a deliciously nasty villain that you enjoy watching as he 'does his stuff'! It also has a very juicy ending! Enjoyable and sick...and that works for me.
- planktonrules
- Apr 7, 2014
- Permalink