Dan Curtis knew how to spook an audience as executive producer of Dark Shadows and the original Night Stalker TV movie. It was a natural thing for ABC to ask the producer to come up with episodes for their World Wide Mystery slot that aired after the late news. It was geared to be an alternative to The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson. Even with the low budget and tight schedule, Dan Curtis used his background from Dark Shadows to create TV movies that made up for a lack of budget and 35mm film with intriguing scripts and top notch actors. Come Die With Me & The Invasion of Carol Enders – Mystery Movie Double Features brings together a two twisted romances.
“Come Die with Me” has George Maharis (Route 66) as the black sheep of a wealthy family. He needs a little loan from his brother (Blacula‘s Charles Macaulay). When the money doesn’t flow, George loses his cool. The only witness to what he’s done is his brother’s maid (Eileen Brennan). Turns out her silence can only be bought by George’s affections. She has to overcome George’s girlfriend who is a little bit hotter. Will he really throw away his life to be married to a middle aged maid? How far will she go for his love?
“The Invasion of Carol Ender” is a paranormal murder mystery. Carol Enders (Family Ties‘ Meredith Baxter) gets mugged into unconsciousness while on a date. At the same time that she comes out of the coma, Diana Bernard (Sally Kemp) dies in a car crash. To the confusion of everyone, Carol wakes up thinking she’s Diana. Have they swapped bodies in this supernatural tale? Things get more confusing as Diana’s car wreck doesn’t appear to be an accident. She was murdered by someone that was stealing her money. It’s a supernatural mystery with both Carol’s boyfriend and Diana’s husband wondering which of their women will possess the body of Carol.
Come Die With Me & The Invasion of Carol Enders – Mystery Movie Double Features are perfect for late night viewing. Bleary night owl eyes will easily forgive the limited production design. But there’s enough excitement and weirdness in both stories to keep you from falling asleep. Both of these films would have fit in nicely with Rod Serling’s Night Gallery. Dan Curtis might have had limited budget, but gave us maximum creep and spook value.
The video is 1.33:1 full frame. The transfers are from the videotape. Both productions look better than the set design. The audio is Dolby Digital mono. Levels won’t have you reaching for the remote.
None.
Come Die With Me & The Invasion of Carol Enders – Mystery Movie Double Features takes us back to the night owl network viewing of the early ‘70s. Come Die With Me has enough backs and hearts to stab. The Invasion of Carol Enders has a supernatural twist that jolts you awake. This is a fine double feature for fans of the mysterious and diabolical.
Dark Sky Films presents Come Die With Me & The Invasion of Carol Enders. Starring: George Maharis, Meredith Baxter and Christopher Connelly. Executive Producer: Dan Curtis. Running Time: 135 minutes. Released on DVD: May 18, 2010. Available at Amazon.com.
