The Norliss Tapes (DVD, 2006)

The Norliss Tapes is a Made for Televsion TV-Movie-a pilot for a proposed series-produced and directed by Dan Curtis ( Dark Shadows). It Stars Roy Thinnes (The Invaders) as David Norliss-a reporter writing a book exposing supernatural hoaxes and paranormal phenomena. Made in 1973 this movie was really NBC's answer to the very high-rated ABC TV-movie The Night Stalker-shown the year before. If you watch this movie along with The Night Stalker (1972), you'll see they are very much alike. Still it is worth collecting if your a fan of Mr. Curtis's work. It does have some pretty creepy moments in it. The cast includes Angie Dickinson, Claude Akins,Vonetta McGee. Watch this movie late at night-when it's dark and still.

Producer, Dan Curtis went absolutely crazy putting out film-after-film once DARK SHADOWS went off-air and I loved every one of them. This particular movie - THE NORLISS TAPES (which for fun as a kid, I called the "Norris Tapes" - Norris being my last name...) was a scary movie as I expected from Dan Curtis. The Zombie character was a fresh change from the vampire thing he obviously favored, though I did expect one to jump out of the bushes somewhere during the movie! There is nothing boring going on here and the suspense does build gradually enough to keep you in your seat or as in my case, on my stomach in front of the tv set... I was excited to see this come out on DVD and the price was very good, too. Highly recommended for the spook-a-phile!

I waited a long time to finally see this show. I think it aired once in 72 or 73. And all of my friends told how good it was, They were right! Pretty good for TV in any era! Roy Thines is excellent as always. To bad the series didn't make it..

This is another one of those movies I just caught the end of after school , about 25 years ago. I can not say enough good things about this movie. First, if my memory serves well, This was a pilot for a TV series that was never picked up. Directed and produced by Dan Curtis who did the old "Night Stalker" series as well. Just look at the cast: Roy Thinnes, Angie Dickinson, Claude Akins. Top notch acting all the way around. The pace of this movie is perfect. Great story line . I always wondered if the author of the original story (F. M. Stewart) was inspired by Lovecraft while writing this one. It just kinda has that feel to it.
The main character David Norliss researches the super natural for a book he intends to write. He has all his notes on audio cassette tapes. Originally his goal was to debunk the fake mystics and mediums that are scamming thousands of dollars a year, from people wishing to know thier futures or trying to contact deceased loved ones. Then he stumbles into more serius occult matters with a woman who claims to have been attacked by her recently deceased husband. Throw in a crooked art dealer and a magic ring, and this one really takes off.
This is one of the two best made for T.V. movies of the 70s. It's one of my all time favorites. I think it holds it's own against most of the stuff coming out even now some 30 years later. The only frustrating thing is that the series wasn't picked up so we'll never get to see more of David's advetures.

i saw this tv movie when it came out and thought it was good very scary for a tv movie and have not forgotten it