Darkroom 1.02.A

The Bogeyman Will Get You

starring Helen Hunt, Randy Powell, Quinn Cummings

directed by John McPherson

Didi Lawrence (Quinn Cummings) suspects that Phil Ames (Randy Powell), a friend of her parents, might be a vampire. She tells her older sister Nancy (Helen Hunt) but Nancy thinks that her sister has just watched too many horror films. Nancy reconsiders her opinion after her friend Julie is found dead.

Nancy's first encounter with Phil and subsequent one give her reason to think that there might be something to Didi's theory. She breaks into Phil's cabin and looks around. Phil confronts her about the break-in later on and shows her how wrong Didi was about his dark side.

Thoughts

This episode was written by Robert Bloch who is best known for writing Psycho, the 1959 novel which was adapted and made into a movie directed by Alfred Hitchcock, in 1960. Bloch wrote three episodes of Star Trek (1966) including 1.07 What Are Little Girls Made Of? He wrote 10 episodes of Alfred Hitchcock Presents (1955) and three episodes of The Alfred Hitchcock Hour.

I have seen Helen Hunt in more than a few films but I know her best from Mad About You. The sheriff was played by R.G. Armstrong whom I know best from Millenium where he played The Old Man. He also was in a couple episodes of The Invaders.

Director John McPherson was primarily known as a cinematographer. This is one of two stories from this series that he directed. All of his directing credits prior to this were for episodes of The Incredible Hulk.

Phil was creepy regardless of what else he was. He tries kissing Nancy soon after Julie was found dead. Even though he claims to know nothing about Julie's death it seems really odd for him to try forcing himself on Julie's friend soon after she was found dead. If nothing else that should have been a huge red flag for Nancy, with or without Didi's vampire theory.

I have a vague recollection of watching this episode years ago, probably when it first aired in 1981.

This is only a so-so story. I don't hate the set up but there wasn't enough to this episode to reel me in.