THE GHOST OF SIERRA DE COBRE

A ghost confronts Judith Anderson and Martin Landau

THE GHOST OF SIERRA DE COBRE (1964 telefilm), Produced, directed and written by Joseph Stefano. 

"Psychical" investigator Nelson Orion (Martin Landau) -- who makes most of his money as an architect -- is called in when blind, wealthy Henry Mandore (Tom Simcox) starts receiving disturbing phone calls that are supposedly from his dead mother. Afraid of being buried alive, she had a phone installed in her crypt, and the calls are coming from this line. Accompanied by Henry's wife, Vivia (Diane Baker), Orion investigates the crypt and Vivia encounters a scary and bloody female spirit. Orion's no-nonsense housekeeper, Mrs. Finch (Nellie Burt) doesn't believe in ghosts, and neither does the Mandore's housekeeper, Paulina (Dame Judith Anderson), but the latter seems to know a lot more about what's going on than anyone else does. 

Diane Baker and Martin Landau

The Ghost of Sierra de Cobre was the pilot for what was supposed to be a follow-up series to The Outer Limits, with the focus on horror and the supernatural instead of science fiction. I assume that Nelson Orion was to be a continuing character from week to week. It's too bad that that didn't work out for one reason or another, as it might have made a compelling series. Stefano's plot has some interesting twists and turns to it -- although it never seems quite real --  and skillfully blends the supernatural with other sinister events that have natural explanations. Stefano's direction -- he replaced the original director -- although good, isn't quite as assured, but Conrad Hall's expert cinematography helps smooth over the rough edges. 

Landau with Tom Simcox

Ghost features a generally excellent cast. Landau proves he could certainly handle the lead on any TV show, and Anderson, cast as yet another creepy housekeeper, rises above the stereotype and offers a highly proficient and intense performance as Paulina. Diane Baker isn't quite on the same level and seems a bit "off" at times, but is effective. Tom Simcox certainly gets into the mood as the handsome, haunted husband who is afraid he is going out of his mind. Nellie Burt is a burst of fresh air as the other, happier housekeeper. Orion makes a hasty date with a blonde on the beach -- nothing ever comes of this -- and the blonde is billed as Delores Starr, but I swear she looks just like Diane McBain. Simcox studied meditation with the Beatles in India!

Verdict: Creepy if flawed telefilm with good performances and a very interesting plot. ***. 

DON'T OPEN TILL DOOMSDAY: OUTER LIMITS

Miriam Hopkins

THE OUTER LIMITS: DON'T OPEN TILL DOOMSDAY (1964). 

This episode of the sixties science fiction show The Outer Limits is of interest primarily because of the excellent performance by guest-star Miriam Hopkins. Hopkins, who is deliberately made up to look grotesque, plays a woman whose husband disappeared on their wedding night back in the 1920's. Where is he? Well, here's where things get strange. An alien creature, that has been imprisoned in a box and is out to play havoc with the universe, has sucked the husband, Harvey (David Frankham), into the same box and won't let him out unless he agrees to help him with his dastardly plans. Out of her mind, not accepting that nearly thirty-five years have gone by, Hopkins plots to find another man to take his place in the box, not that this would necessarily free Harvey. 

To say that Joseph Stefano's teleplay for this episode is half-baked is an understatement. We never learn how Harvey has managed to stay sane himself after all these years -- or does time move at a much faster rate for him than for his wife? The little alien looks pretty ridiculous. Stefano throws in a lot of different and even compelling ideas but none of them are developed very well. The whole thing just seems so ridiculous, poorly thought out, and ultimately, quite silly, like a bad comic book story of the fifties. Frankly, Hopkins gives the episode more than it deserves. 

Verdict: Not one of the better Outer Limits. **.