She’s Once, Twice, Three Times Afraidy- Karen Black Stars in "Trilogy of Terror" Tonight!

Tonight on MeTV- brace yourself for the triple-threat of Karen Black times three- starring in the anxiety-filled anthology that has been called the most frightening made for TV movie of all time- “Trilogy of Terror”! This 1975 film -based on three stories by the legendary Richard Matheson- is a tour de frightening force, with each tale starring Karen Black.

The first -“Julie”- features Karen as a quiet and reserved English teacher who is approached by Chad, one of her college students, who has become obsessed with her. In no time, we realize this is no healthy schoolboy crush- Chad has a nasty agenda that includes spiking Julie’s drink at a drive-in- and leads to out and out blackmail. Things take an even darker turn when other sinister secrets are revealed!

The second story- “Millicent and Therese”- has Karen playing a dual role as two very different sisters. Millicent is a bookish, straight-laced, reserved woman, while Therese is a flashy, somewhat immoral tease of a party girl. Each not only disapproves of the other, but take a violent turn, with Therese creating havoc by trashing Millicent’s room - and playing up seductively to Dr. Ramsey, the family therapist her sister has called in to try to talk some sense into her. The doctor will have no part in Therese’s sinister attempt at seduction and leaves the premises- which only makes Therese furious that Millicent had called him in. Being into the occult and voodoo, the ticking time -bomb of a sister decides that the only way to end the conflict- is by death!

The final story is the best known of the three, and the most unforgettable-“Amelia”-based on the Richard Matheson short story “Prey”. While someone else adapted his first two stories for the movie, Matheson himself wrote the screenplay for this one-with chilling results. Ms. Black pretty much makes it a one-woman play- portraying the lone character in the story, Amelia, who is constantly being nagged by her mother. Fed up with dealing with her, she calls dear old Mom to cancel that night’s get-together, claiming she has a date- so she can just have some peace and quiet. Not much chance of that-Amelia has brought home a unique artifact- a small figure of an aboriginal warrior. According to the paperwork included with this hideous doll, it is actually a vessel that imprisons the spirit of a warrior known as “he who kills”- and only the chain that encircles its waist keeps the spirit confined inside the doll. Fate plays a cruel trick on Amelia- the chain falls off!

As she prepares her dinner with a large carving knife, she sets the blade down after hearing a noise in the other room. She is confused to find that the doll is not where she left it- and soon afterward realizes that- neither is her knife! She soon becomes painfully aware that the doll has come to life- and wants to end hers!

We do need to warn you- this film, even though made for TV, does include some adult situations and dialogue- and the final story with the nerve-wracking assault by the murderous doll may be far too intense for some viewers. PLEASE use caution- and your jurisdiction- regarding who should watch- and that includes you!

For this movie, we try to lighten the mood and break the tension a little, giving information about the film and its cast-and bringing back some classic Sven stuff, including a beloved song viewers can never get enough of- perfect to lead into the upcoming “Svengoolie’s Halloween BOO-nanza”! We suggest possible updates for the story if they made a new sequel, provide information about the Zuni warrior doll ( with an actual replica on set), talk about the man who did the musical score for this film and other Dan Curtis productions, revisit our first trip to the New Tork ComicCon, and – give you a peek at yet ANOTHER new denizen of the dungeon!

“Trilogy of Terror” will be unleashed at 8 pm eastern/pacific, 7 central time- and MeTV encourages you to join in the live-Tweeting ( we’ll just continue to call it that) during the program-make sure that your Tweets include our hashtag #svengoolie -that has been leading to us being on the list of highest trending topics on Twitter every week! Our Chicago area viewers can see the return of “Return of the Vampire” with Bela Lugosi at 11 am on CW26.

There will be new Sven merchandise in our store very soon- to go with all the latest things that have been added! You might also see some new Sven stuff in brick-and-mortar stores- including the “Toony Terrors” Sven figure, and the full head mask of yours truly done by Trick or Treat Studios! Make sure you check out the “appearances” tab on here our website in upcoming weeks- for our limited schedule of Halloween season appearances. And- be prepared for a full month of TV tricks and treats with the afore mentioned “Svengoolie’s Halloween BOO-nanza”- bringing you Sven double-features all month long- and more!

But tonight- steel your nerves the most frightening movie ever made for TV! And- keep all cutlery locked up before the final story!