Imagine the plot of this one reworked for an episode of "Criminal Minds:" A business executive is stalked by a mentally unbalanced young woman and constantly shadowed by a psychopath who wants his job and life. Along the way, the girl is murdered by the psychopath, who takes pains to set up the business exec to take the fall for for the murder. In 1961, you could only go so far with such a plot. What saves the episode from being unwatchable today is George Grizzard as the psychopath. He gets scarier as the story progresses. Grizzard was a stage and screen actor who was never a leading man, but what used to be called an actor's actor. A young Leslie Nielson plays the business executive, and a fetching young thing named Natalie Trundy is his wide-eyed stalker.
15 Reviews
Decent Enough Start for Boris Karloff's Thriller
Witchfinder-General-66629 August 2010
"The Twisted Image" is the first episode of the show "Thriller" (aka. "Brois Karloff's Thriller"), which ran from 1960 to 1962 and was hosted by Horror deity Boris Karloff. Karloff introduces every episode (his introduction of the episode includes an introduction of the actors, which seems very vintage and a little odd from today's point of view), but (unlike it was the case in the preceding show, "The Veil") he sadly doesn't appear as an actor in the actual episodes.
This very decent start to the series features a young Leslie Nielsen in the lead. Nielsen plays Alan Patterson, a happily married and successful businessman, who finds himself stalked both by the obsessively lovesick young beauty Lily Hanson (Natalie Trundy) and the jealous and mischievous crook Merle Jenkins (George Grizzard)...
Nielsen is likable as always, Natalie Trundy is very cute and therefore not easy to see as a threat. George Gizzard is very good and effective in playing a psychopath. Even though it will not scare anybody's pants off, the episode is suspenseful and exiting enough throughout its 49 minutes. Overall this is a very decent start to the series, and the best of the first five episodes which I've seen. The early episodes generally tell tales of mystery and crime, whereas the show became focused on Gothic Horror tales in the later episodes (which therefore should be more interesting to myself and most of my fellow Horror fans). "The Twisted Image" is entertaining, but by no means a must-see.
This very decent start to the series features a young Leslie Nielsen in the lead. Nielsen plays Alan Patterson, a happily married and successful businessman, who finds himself stalked both by the obsessively lovesick young beauty Lily Hanson (Natalie Trundy) and the jealous and mischievous crook Merle Jenkins (George Grizzard)...
Nielsen is likable as always, Natalie Trundy is very cute and therefore not easy to see as a threat. George Gizzard is very good and effective in playing a psychopath. Even though it will not scare anybody's pants off, the episode is suspenseful and exiting enough throughout its 49 minutes. Overall this is a very decent start to the series, and the best of the first five episodes which I've seen. The early episodes generally tell tales of mystery and crime, whereas the show became focused on Gothic Horror tales in the later episodes (which therefore should be more interesting to myself and most of my fellow Horror fans). "The Twisted Image" is entertaining, but by no means a must-see.
Thriller- The Twisted Image
Scarecrow-889 July 2011
Warning: Spoilers
The inaugural episode of "Thriller", hosted by the legendary Boris Karloff (his voice and presence just perfect for an anthology series), stars a young and debonair Leslie Nielsen as a businessman of a successful firm who becomes tormented by an obsessed out-of-towner, Lily Hanson (Natalie Trundy in a creepy performance), and a disturbed klepto employee, Merle Jenkins (George Grizzard) who works in his mailroom (and wants to have his life, believing that his career is on the rise).
Lily stares with a piercing force that is hard to ignore and she is soon harassing Patterson, convinced that she is his girl, infiltrating his life. This episode features a memorable performance from Constance Ford (The Cabinet of Caligari; an actress known for her significant television work in the 50s/early 60s), her character a nasty piece of work, as Merle's sister, verbally abusive to him—was jealous of how mother doted on him, showering him with affection she didn't receive—to the point that she has emasculated him. You can see in their scene together (visiting New York City just to see if Merle was a failure, his job in the mailroom, not in an executive position, providing ammunition to torment him) how much control Louise had over Merle when he was a child, clearly a reason he is in such a psychological disarray. What soon results from Merle's desire to imitate Alan (he resembles a cheap knock-off, a bargain-basement version of the man he so wishes to emulate) is a murder and frame-up which puts Patterson in a difficult trap.
I think what damns this particular episode is the incredibly stupid decision on Alan's part to leave the scene of a crime as if he were the guilty man responsible, with the landlord easily signifying him as having been there. You'd think a smart businessman would know better than to implicate himself, but Alan, I guess afraid to be caught at the apartment of a young woman he had been seen with in a restaurant and diner, cuts the light off as Lily lies dead, radio blasting, "dusting himself off", and leaving the premises further damaging his credibility. Merle, on the other hand, is responsible for setting up the man he wishes so desperately to replace, wanting to be in the position of having the finer things, a high class place and lovely wife, merely a lowly thief living in a nondescript apartment, working in the low salary mailroom.
Merle had been on the verge of this snap with Lily able to finally hit the right nerve to send him over the edge; Louise planted the seed and watered his inner beast, with Lily providing the necessary fertilizer to give the increase. The rest of the episode has Alan pursuing Merle who clunked him on the noggin and stole his wallet full of green—he decides to have a "night on the town" at Alan's expense—as the landlord informs the authorities of his findings in Lily's apartment.
Similar to "Alfred Hitchcock Presents ", "The Twisted Image" would seem to fit more on that show than on "Thriller", introduced by a horror icon more known for the Gothic. That said, his voice really sets up the show nicely, even if this episode doesn't quite deserve such a host. Good cast with Grizzard in fine form as the villain with his fair share of neurosis, his Merle fallen completely into this delusion that he is actually Alan, even bursting in on spouse Judy Patterson, kidnapping their daughter, and attempting to flee. Kind of a meh episode overall with the typical ending of a woman in peril, her man coming to the rescue, with the killer threatening to tear apart their lives forever. Episode has something to say about "ordinary" folks falling prey to the illusion that they are destined for greatness, unable to recognize how pitiable they really are. Dianne Foster has the "worried wife" role, fooled by Lily into possibly believing an infidelity.
Lily stares with a piercing force that is hard to ignore and she is soon harassing Patterson, convinced that she is his girl, infiltrating his life. This episode features a memorable performance from Constance Ford (The Cabinet of Caligari; an actress known for her significant television work in the 50s/early 60s), her character a nasty piece of work, as Merle's sister, verbally abusive to him—was jealous of how mother doted on him, showering him with affection she didn't receive—to the point that she has emasculated him. You can see in their scene together (visiting New York City just to see if Merle was a failure, his job in the mailroom, not in an executive position, providing ammunition to torment him) how much control Louise had over Merle when he was a child, clearly a reason he is in such a psychological disarray. What soon results from Merle's desire to imitate Alan (he resembles a cheap knock-off, a bargain-basement version of the man he so wishes to emulate) is a murder and frame-up which puts Patterson in a difficult trap.
I think what damns this particular episode is the incredibly stupid decision on Alan's part to leave the scene of a crime as if he were the guilty man responsible, with the landlord easily signifying him as having been there. You'd think a smart businessman would know better than to implicate himself, but Alan, I guess afraid to be caught at the apartment of a young woman he had been seen with in a restaurant and diner, cuts the light off as Lily lies dead, radio blasting, "dusting himself off", and leaving the premises further damaging his credibility. Merle, on the other hand, is responsible for setting up the man he wishes so desperately to replace, wanting to be in the position of having the finer things, a high class place and lovely wife, merely a lowly thief living in a nondescript apartment, working in the low salary mailroom.
Merle had been on the verge of this snap with Lily able to finally hit the right nerve to send him over the edge; Louise planted the seed and watered his inner beast, with Lily providing the necessary fertilizer to give the increase. The rest of the episode has Alan pursuing Merle who clunked him on the noggin and stole his wallet full of green—he decides to have a "night on the town" at Alan's expense—as the landlord informs the authorities of his findings in Lily's apartment.
Similar to "Alfred Hitchcock Presents ", "The Twisted Image" would seem to fit more on that show than on "Thriller", introduced by a horror icon more known for the Gothic. That said, his voice really sets up the show nicely, even if this episode doesn't quite deserve such a host. Good cast with Grizzard in fine form as the villain with his fair share of neurosis, his Merle fallen completely into this delusion that he is actually Alan, even bursting in on spouse Judy Patterson, kidnapping their daughter, and attempting to flee. Kind of a meh episode overall with the typical ending of a woman in peril, her man coming to the rescue, with the killer threatening to tear apart their lives forever. Episode has something to say about "ordinary" folks falling prey to the illusion that they are destined for greatness, unable to recognize how pitiable they really are. Dianne Foster has the "worried wife" role, fooled by Lily into possibly believing an infidelity.
A young woman and man threaten both a man's marriage, and then his freedom.
KMay194722 March 2008
It is a hoot seeing a very young Leslie Nielson in a serious role. For a "thriller made almost 50 years ago, the suspense holds up surprisingly well. The story is based on a novel and this predigre shows itself in the complexity of the plot. If the hysterics of the characters was toned down somewhat, it would make a decent straight to video movie for today's audiences. While the ending falls flat (too used to today's slam bang finishes), the last image is surprisingly effective.
If you are a fan of old TV - find a place to get these old Thrillers; you will be surprised by what our not so bright TV executives are not yet making available to the general public.
If you are a fan of old TV - find a place to get these old Thrillers; you will be surprised by what our not so bright TV executives are not yet making available to the general public.
"I can spot a phony a mile away!"
classicsoncall9 January 2012
Warning: Spoilers
Debuting just a year after the start of another popular anthology series, "The Twilight Zone", I really didn't become aware of Boris Karloff's "Thriller" until relatively recently. This first entry was a decent enough start, and my understanding is that the early mystery and crime based stories would give way to tales of Gothic horror as the series progressed, as befitting the manner of it's esteemed host.
Ever since seeing him in "Airplane" and those Police Squad/Naked Gun flicks, I can't think of Leslie Nielsen in anything but those kinds of off-beat comedy roles, so seeing him in this opening episode seems a bit out of the norm. He's a rather straight laced business executive who finds himself caught between a couple of mentally disturbed characters, a woman who loves him (Natalie Trundy) and a mail room clerk who wants to be him (George Grizzard). Even describing it that way sounds like this might be ripe for a comedy treatment, but nothing could be further from the truth.
The way Trundy portrays her character Lily Hanson is really rather creepy, with that glassy eyed stare as she contemplates her next move on Alan Patterson (Nielsen). For his part, Merle Jenkins unravels bit by bit until by the end of the story, he's pretty much convinced that he's Patterson. We have a hint of how Merle got this way when his spiteful sister Louise (Constance Ford) pays a visit, sure in her belief that younger brother is not the vice president of his company the way his letters home have proclaimed.
Given the title of the episode, the story lives up to it's name quite well, although the ending does seem to be a let down of sorts. Just like so many Twilight Zone episodes, it's left up to the viewer's imagination as to the actual outcome in the aftermath of Merle's freak-out at Lily's apartment. I also thought it was kind of weird that Patterson's daughter remained silent except for some quiet whimpering throughout the ordeal; a normal kid would have been yelling their head off.
For the first entry in the series however, this wasn't so bad I couldn't recommend it. Karloff's name attached to the project is itself reason enough to tune in, offering just the right amount of intrigue and mystery when he introduces the story with "...I promise you one thing, this is a Thriller."
Ever since seeing him in "Airplane" and those Police Squad/Naked Gun flicks, I can't think of Leslie Nielsen in anything but those kinds of off-beat comedy roles, so seeing him in this opening episode seems a bit out of the norm. He's a rather straight laced business executive who finds himself caught between a couple of mentally disturbed characters, a woman who loves him (Natalie Trundy) and a mail room clerk who wants to be him (George Grizzard). Even describing it that way sounds like this might be ripe for a comedy treatment, but nothing could be further from the truth.
The way Trundy portrays her character Lily Hanson is really rather creepy, with that glassy eyed stare as she contemplates her next move on Alan Patterson (Nielsen). For his part, Merle Jenkins unravels bit by bit until by the end of the story, he's pretty much convinced that he's Patterson. We have a hint of how Merle got this way when his spiteful sister Louise (Constance Ford) pays a visit, sure in her belief that younger brother is not the vice president of his company the way his letters home have proclaimed.
Given the title of the episode, the story lives up to it's name quite well, although the ending does seem to be a let down of sorts. Just like so many Twilight Zone episodes, it's left up to the viewer's imagination as to the actual outcome in the aftermath of Merle's freak-out at Lily's apartment. I also thought it was kind of weird that Patterson's daughter remained silent except for some quiet whimpering throughout the ordeal; a normal kid would have been yelling their head off.
For the first entry in the series however, this wasn't so bad I couldn't recommend it. Karloff's name attached to the project is itself reason enough to tune in, offering just the right amount of intrigue and mystery when he introduces the story with "...I promise you one thing, this is a Thriller."
The First
AaronCapenBanner29 October 2014
Leslie Nielsen stars as Alan Patterson, a successful and happily married Vice President of his company that suddenly finds his life under siege by two different people, both employees: Lily Hanson(played by Natalie Trundy) is in love with him and wants to be his new wife, and is unwilling to take no for an answer, and Merle Jenkins(played by George Grizzard) who is deeply insecure and desperately wants to step into Alan's shoes, and take over his life. Both will collide before one has a final confrontation... First episode of the series is not typical of where the series would go, but is one of the better crime episodes, with good performances and direction.
Obsession destroys both the victim and the obsessed.
mark.waltz5 October 2019
Warning: Spoilers
Certainly Natalie Trundy's young office employee is lovely and charming, but her obsession with married business executive Leslie Nielsen is a sign of a mentally disturbed young lady, even of she isn't your average bunny boiler. She shares several innocent lunches with Nielsen, usually stalking him in the restaurant or even meeting him outside his office suite. Nielsen desperately tries to explain to his devoted wife Dianne Foster that there is nothing going on, but letters to her from Trundy causes major issues in his marriage.
Then there's office mail room clerk George Grizzard, good looking but extremely socially awkward, obsessed with his non self image, despised by his nasty sister (Constance Ford, initially charming, but definitely one with an agenda of psychological destruction) and thus unable to fit in. He's claimed that he's a vice president of his firm, and Ford goes out of her way to humiliate him by proving he's not. Grizzard goes out of his way to meet Trundy, desperate to get something that Nielsen has rejected. Trundy is found dead and Nielsen is knocked out at the scene of the murder. His world is immediately turned upside down while Grizzard's briefly seems to be on the rise.
I've seen this plot in many old movies, particularly pre-code dramas like "24 Hours" and "Upper World". this has a more sinister feeling to it with a definite psychologically disturbed character and a troubled female whom, had she survived, could have been equally as dangerous. A jazzy background score adds to the element of the premiere episode of "Thriller's" intensity with a superb cast and fine script making this filled with tension.
Then there's office mail room clerk George Grizzard, good looking but extremely socially awkward, obsessed with his non self image, despised by his nasty sister (Constance Ford, initially charming, but definitely one with an agenda of psychological destruction) and thus unable to fit in. He's claimed that he's a vice president of his firm, and Ford goes out of her way to humiliate him by proving he's not. Grizzard goes out of his way to meet Trundy, desperate to get something that Nielsen has rejected. Trundy is found dead and Nielsen is knocked out at the scene of the murder. His world is immediately turned upside down while Grizzard's briefly seems to be on the rise.
I've seen this plot in many old movies, particularly pre-code dramas like "24 Hours" and "Upper World". this has a more sinister feeling to it with a definite psychologically disturbed character and a troubled female whom, had she survived, could have been equally as dangerous. A jazzy background score adds to the element of the premiere episode of "Thriller's" intensity with a superb cast and fine script making this filled with tension.
So-So Start for a Classic Series
penfantino21 October 2010
PE: Most of the non-horror episodes of Thriller have a bad rep. They're boring, they're slow, they're The Alfred Hitchcock Hour rejects, they're better left unreleased. You'll hear a lot of this and more from us in the next few months but "The Twisted Image" is not a bad episode, it's just not compelling or exciting. It's certainly not a "thriller," but then Boris Karloff's Yawn might not have attracted quite so many viewers. It's got weak elements: it's slow and padded; some of the scenes change abruptly; Natalie Trundy is a babe (and director Arthur Hiller surely agreed since a majority of Trundy's scenes are shot in close-up) but not much of an actress (much better years later in the Planet of the Apes flicks); and the story doesn't so much have a climax as a "stop at 49 minutes." You can read the rest of the review at A Thriller a Day. Two guys review a different Thriller every day! http://athrilleraday.blogspot.com/
Pretty Pedestrian Beginning
Hitchcoc6 November 2016
This first episode of the Thriller suspense series involves a business executive, Leslie Nielsen, who is stalked by a beautiful young woman who is fixated on him. He is married and successful. She has a "plan" to take him away from his beautiful wife. He does all he can to dissuade him, but like "Play Misty for Me" nothing he does works. Meanwhile, the wife is getting jealous, suspecting him of having an affair. The woman has sent a message to her and she is falling for it. Meanwhile, a young mail clerk, played by George Grizzard, has dreams of success but no ability to bring them to fruition. He has failed in every venture he has tried. He is a thief and is under suspicion at the office. The rest is pretty lame. There are incredible potholes, including Nielsen's not calling the police. The other is the fact that Nielsen tells his wife immediately about the girl's fixation on him. Hardly the act of a cheating husband. She becomes utterly irrational about what is going on, accusing him immediately of unfaithfulness. It was the first offering, so we will see how things go from here.
Interesting but ultimately not successful
preppy-318 July 2014
Businessman Alan Patterson (Leslie Nielsen) is very successful. He also has a loving wife (Dianne Foster) and a small child. A seriously deranged woman named Lily (Natalie Trundy) falls in love with him and immediately declares they're lovers no matter how much Alan tells her they're not. Evil mail worker Merle Jenkins (George Grizzard) notices and decides to use it to his advantage. It all leads to a murder and various other complications.
The premiere episode of the "Thriller" TV series hosted by Boris Karloff. It's hardly a thriller. It's little more than a psychological drama with a killing thrown in. It is well-done and acted but it falls apart half-way through. Characters act incredibly stupid and do REALLY dumb things (especially Alan and Merle), there are great leaps of logic and it all ends up pretty predictably. Still it's worth seeing for Nielsen and Grizzard in two early roles.
The premiere episode of the "Thriller" TV series hosted by Boris Karloff. It's hardly a thriller. It's little more than a psychological drama with a killing thrown in. It is well-done and acted but it falls apart half-way through. Characters act incredibly stupid and do REALLY dumb things (especially Alan and Merle), there are great leaps of logic and it all ends up pretty predictably. Still it's worth seeing for Nielsen and Grizzard in two early roles.
A rather unspectacular beginning.
b_kite30 June 2019
In the pilot episode of "Boris Karloff's Thriller" we have the great Leslie Nelson as a business executive, he has it all looks, money, a loving wife, and a cute little daughter, however one day he is confronted by a strange younger woman played by Natalie Trundy who he always finds staring at him. She actually works at the same office he does and has fallen in love with him. Nelson rejects her advances and pretty soon she's calling his house and sending notes of infidelity to his wife who is starting to suspect that he is indeed conducting an affair with her. Elsewhere another young office worker played by George Grizzard is having problems with his life, he grew up in an abusive family (particularly his sister) and has dreams of reaching the heights of Nelson who he pretty much idolizes, however he doesn't know the means to go about it and is always constantly late for his job and in trouble. Eventually he crosses paths with Trundy's character and things really start to get bad. Overall this is a pretty pedestrian affair much like fellow reviewer hitchcoc stated its full of holes, and character motives are head scratching at times, also add to the fact it just seems to end without any proper conclusion doesn't help it either. Nelson is great as is the rest of the cast, but, this is largely forgettable.
Series debut does NOT feature Karloff in an acting role
kevinolzak9 May 2008
"Thriller" is one of my all-time favorite TV shows and it all started with this first of several crime entries produced by Fletcher Markle (eight overall, none truly outstanding), who was replaced by William Frye in an attempt to improve sagging ratings. While it is true that viewers at the time were understandably confused by the occasional switch from horror to crime each week, today's audience need not share that uncertainty with episodes available on both DVD and the internet. "The Twisted Image" begins with a striking closeup of the eyes of freckle faced redhead Natalie Trundy, future wife of producer Arthur P. Jacobs, who would cast her in all four sequels to his "Planet of the Apes" features. Karloff himself appears only as the on screen host (as he would for all 67 shows) but does not portray any character roles until the tenth episode, "The Prediction." Natalie's gaze follows businessman Leslie Nielsen, a happily married family man with a young daughter, plotting to wreck his marriage and take him for herself. Hers is not the only obsession troubling Nielsen as one of his employees (George Grizzard) is a sneak thief who dreams of replacing his employer and even starts using Nielsen's name rather than his own. A few twists and turns, not all of them convincing, and cameos from Victor Sen Yung as a bartender, and an uncredited Frank Sully (Cousin Noah in "The Grapes of Wrath"), as a bystander swapping tales at a murder scene. Not a stellar episode but ya gotta start somewhere.
An inauspicious beginning
planktonrules12 December 2013
I have never seen the anthology series "Thriller" and decided to give it a try. After all, I normally love these sort of shows. However, if episode one is any indication of the quality of the shows, then it leaves a lot to be desired.
Leslie Nielsen plays a vice president of a company, Alan. He's happily married and content. However, an obsessed employee, Lily (Natalie Trundy) begins making advances towards him. He does not reciprocate but she won't take no for an answer. She soon begins pursuing him relentlessly and after a while, Alan's wife starts to suspect that he might be cheating.
At the same time, a conniving and lazy guy, Merle (George Grizzard), is looking for any opportunity to get ahead. One night he meets up with Lily--and Merle seems intent on taking advantage of her vulnerability. However, she is repulsed by his awkward advances and Merle kills her. Soon, Alan arrives at Lily's apartment and enters--to find her dead. From behind, Merle clubs Alan and runs. What's next? Well rest assured that neither Alan nor Merle behave reasonably or normally!!
This show took me by surprise by some of the plot twists--few of which ended up being welcome or making much sense. You'd never guess what Merle does next--it's completely out of left field. And, as for Alan, he was almost as poorly written and NEVER calls the police!! Huh?! Overall, a very, very disappointing episode 1 and hopefully the show will get better. The bottom line is that good actors are wasted in this one.
Leslie Nielsen plays a vice president of a company, Alan. He's happily married and content. However, an obsessed employee, Lily (Natalie Trundy) begins making advances towards him. He does not reciprocate but she won't take no for an answer. She soon begins pursuing him relentlessly and after a while, Alan's wife starts to suspect that he might be cheating.
At the same time, a conniving and lazy guy, Merle (George Grizzard), is looking for any opportunity to get ahead. One night he meets up with Lily--and Merle seems intent on taking advantage of her vulnerability. However, she is repulsed by his awkward advances and Merle kills her. Soon, Alan arrives at Lily's apartment and enters--to find her dead. From behind, Merle clubs Alan and runs. What's next? Well rest assured that neither Alan nor Merle behave reasonably or normally!!
This show took me by surprise by some of the plot twists--few of which ended up being welcome or making much sense. You'd never guess what Merle does next--it's completely out of left field. And, as for Alan, he was almost as poorly written and NEVER calls the police!! Huh?! Overall, a very, very disappointing episode 1 and hopefully the show will get better. The bottom line is that good actors are wasted in this one.
Never seen this before
NuttyBaby15 July 2023
Warning: Spoilers
My first review of this series, which I have only just started watching. I was optimistic at first by the obsessive Lily with very big catlike eyes, always wanting to be near Alan. The character of Alan is a top guy with a family and decent job although he's got two stalkers, Lily and another one, a younger man working in the same company who wants to step into Alan's shoes. I found this guy Merle creepy and it makes sense because he then tries to rape Lily and ends up murdering her. Alan is already annoyed by Lily constantly phoning, so he visits her to have a word but discovers her dead. Strangely he doesn't even contact the police! I wasn't keen on this episode because it seemed all over the place.
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