"The Norliss Tapes" relays the most recent case investigated by occult investigator Norliss who has recently disappeared and left behind an archive of tapes detailing his recent cases. In Monterey, California, he meets Ellen Cort, a widow who claims she was attacked by her recently deceased husband on their sprawling estate. Norliss's investigation leads him all around the bay as he uncovers increasingly dark information regarding Ellen's late artist husband.A failed pilot-turned-television film, "The Norliss Tapes" was directed by cult TV horror icon Dan Curtis, and it has his stamp all over it. Running at a concise hour and ten minutes, the film is surprisingly absorbing and at times almost resembles a feature film. Though it shows its age, the production values given the era are surprisingly high, and the cinematography is top-notch. The relentless rain and misty landscapes of the northern California setting are phenomenally captured; I found myself completely drawn into the film in spite of its shortcomings.The narrative is fairly routine in terms of the moves it makes to advance the plot, and it does seem stilted on dialogue a bit too much in areas (which I chalk up to the limited time slot), but it does maintain a considerable level of intrigue nonetheless. There are several fantastic scare scenes that predate Tobe Hooper's "Salem's Lot" in which the undead husband makes sinister appearances—the rainstorm chase scene at the estate is very memorable. A gruff Roy Thinnes fits the role of Norliss very well, and Angie Dickinson is likable as the flummoxed widow; Vonetta McGee is also memorable as the mysterious madame who knows more about Dickinson's reanimated husband than she initially lets on."The Norliss Tapes" seems to have amassed a following over the years, largely of viewers who saw the film as children and were terrified of it (as is the case with many of these television horror movies from the seventies). The nostalgia factor is absent for me as I was not alive when the film was released, but there is an appreciable establishment of atmosphere and substantial intrigue at work here given the film was never actually intended to be packaged as a movie. Curtis would usher in "Trilogy of Terror" and the feature "Burnt Offerings" a few years later, both of which show a demonstrable refining of his talents, but "The Norliss Tapes" is no less an effective, compact offering that is shamelessly entertaining and also offers up a handful of masterfully-crafted scares. 7/10.

Finally saw this after almost 40 years. I didn't catch it on its original network broadcast. I have to agree with other reviews that say it's an inferior version of Kolchak: The Night Stalker.They have much in common, but so many differences in the ways that count. Darren McGavin was a much better actor in a much better written role, delivering that snappy, sardonic voice-over narration and funny quips, all with the infectious energy that Kolchak always showed and the quirkiness that tied it all together. Kolchak was very much interested in his stories, while Norliss seemed like he was rather reluctant and bored. There was no depth to David Norliss and the proceedings just slogged on monotonously. McGavin's acting made Kolchak's episodes worth watching even when the scripts were bad, not to mention his great supporting characters, both recurring and guests. Norliss was essentially a lone wolf. What was most amazing of all is that Kolchak continued to entertain by slaying monsters (literally) and police officials (figuratively) alike despite McGavin's disdain for the scripts and his bitterness over having been cheated of his promised role as series executive producer. That's the mark of a true professional and a great actor. Thinnes wasn't given much to work with here. He seemed like he was almost sleepwalking through the movie. And unlike Kolchak, Norliss barely interacted with other characters, let alone spar verbally with them.Worse, the blue-skinned zombie was every bit as bad as Kolchak's often embarrassing monsters. But without McGavin to distract from the situation, there was no disguising the silliness. Other similarities include Robert Cobert's creepy sul ponticello tremolando on the violin, so familiar from Kolchak episodes and opening titles, and the disbelieving sheriff.All in all, I'll stick with my DVD set of the Kolchak series. When the Norliss pilot ended, I really didn't care what had caused his mysterious disappearance and wouldn't have watched had the show been picked up by a network. It was only marginally better than the Night Stalker remake of 2005.

Today were talking 1970's made for TV in the form of Dan Curtis's The Norliss Tapes. Throughout the last several years I have been to several horror conventions and have been on line long enough to know that this movie has been in high demand by 70's horror fans. Thanks to Anchor Bay we finally get a legit release (throw away those boots y'all). Is it really any good is the question. Let's take a look.As the title states this film is about a writer David Norliss who for the last year has been working on a novel to debunk supernatural an occult happenings. More specifically those who use the occult to make a fortune on others beliefs in it and the suffering of those who have lost loved ones. Unfortunately for Mr.Norliss over that year time frame he has apparently gotten in too deep with his investigations and call his publisher for a meeting.David does not show up to this meeting and the publisher begins to get worried and decides to visit David at his home. Upon visiting David Norliss's house he finds tapes that detail each experience he has been involved with over the last year. This movie (which was a pilot for a supposed series) tells the tale of the first tape that was found by Norliss's publisher that goes on to show that sometimes, the supernatural can be more real than you could ever imagine.David Norliss is drawn into a strange case involving a wealthy widow (played by Angie Dickenson) who is attacked....by her dead husband. As expected nobody believes her and its up to Norliss to find the clues that would prove what she says is true and more importantly how her supposed dead husband is back!!! If you are a fan of Dan Curtis items such as The Nightstalker and Kolchak series you are in for a treat as this follows the same style. I really ended up enjoying this one as it plays out like a horror mystery movie. Instead of there being a guy in a werewolf suit or somebody human behind the plot we get a mystery that involves the occult and who is involved in the circle of evil.It's a real shame this was not picked up as a full series as this could have really been excellent. At the end of the movie the publisher begins to put in the next tape to see at what point David began to get into trouble with his occult investigations....unfortunately we will never know but this film stands well on its own and another example of the best made for TV movie era ....the 70's. I give "The Norliss Tapes": 7/10: Good, another solid example of the era that was The Dan Curtis era...as far as 70's made for TV is concerned.Until next time when your dead spouse stars at you with those reddish yellow eyes they are probably not thinking about sweet lovin...GET THE HECK OUT ASAP!!!

This movie scared the #$%@* out of me!!!! I watched it when I was a kid and I LOVED it! It's just like The Night Stalker! It has a top notch cast of actors which makes all the difference in the world. The music is eerie, the location is scary and all of the typical Dan Curtis tricky shock effects are in place. The scene where her sister opens the curtains and James Cort is there staring at her is truly priceless! They don't make them like this anymore. I found it on eBay (just type in the movie name in the Ebay search) but the quality was terrible because it has never been released on VHS. I watched the whole thing anyway despite the poor picture quality. :) Would love to find a good copy of it.