MovieChat Forums > Trilogy of Terror (1975) Discussion > For everyone who watched this as a kid.....

For everyone who watched this as a kid......

posted 19 years ago by tynabop
129 replies | jump to latest

I was born in '74, and saw it when I was 5. I was alone too, and scared out of my pants! My mom knew I was watching it in the livingroom, while she made dinner and thought nothing of it. Yeah, in today standards, thats crazy. I also watched Poltergeist when it first came out, and had nightmares for years! My husband thinks its really funny to sing "God is in His holy temple, earthly thoughts be silent now.." Anyway, my question is this: How many people are seriously angry that their parents let them watch this? Yes, I was freaked out as a kid, but it also sparked my LOVE for all horror movies, which my mom totally supported. I am now a mother of 2 myself, and tried to keep my little guys from watching scary things. But my 6 yr old hid in the hallway and watched Poltergesit 1 & 2, as well as some new ones like: Underworld etc.. I had no idea he was there, but he was there when we rented the movies, and looked at the boxes, so when we would put in the movies, after the kids were asleep, or so we thought he was in the hallway. He was caught this last time (Underworld) so we talked about it and watched the making of CGI etc... it's been a year and he has yet to have a nightmare because of it. And yes, he would tell me, because I have always told him if he was scared we could talk about it. I think that maybe, just maybe it really doesn't bother him, and actually likes them. Does that make me a "Twisted Parent"? Maybe. BTW I looked up the site where they are selling the Zuni doll just to see if I could look at it again (it has been a zillion years, LOL) He looked over my shoulder and asked what is that? I explained it was THE scary movie doll for me when I was a kid. He laughed and laughed saying "God mom, YOU were scared of THAT?"

Hey old man river! Zip it, before I break your hip!~~~~Tyna

[–] 18 years ago

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[–] Reelmaster 18 years ago

I'm a 1973 born lover of this movie. It first came on TV in 1977 and the doll scarred me for life. Nightmares for months and I was terrified of dolls ever from that moment on.
It's very sad that TV networks only put some programs on once or twice in 30 years
Fortunately I bought a VHS NTSC original video of this from amazon in 2001 or 2002 (can't remember) so a long time between viewings
sure now it seems silly but I still love it

The other two stories can't compare to this one. I've seen the sequel and that wasn't bad but haven't bothered to get it or copy it yet

As much as DVD is more practical, LD is my format of choice.

[–] Isaac5855 18 years ago

Yeah, I have to admit that I had nightmares for a few weeks after seeing this one. Prior to TRILOGY, the last movie I had seen that really gave me nightmares was THE BIRDS. The last story was absolutely horrifying...that little doll seemed totally unstoppable. As a matter of fact, the last story had such a strong impact on me, that, for the life of me, I can't remember what the first two were about! That's the kind of impression the third story had on me. Yeah, this one scared the crap out of me. Karen Black was great. I should also mention that a couple of months ago I saw a remake of the 3rd story. I can't remember who played Black's role, but it didn't hold a candle to the original.

[–] happipuppi13 18 years ago

Well as I metioened in my review ("Why Didn't My Mom Send Me to Bed?" ) I was 7 or 8,depending on which years airing I saw and my mother was sitting right there in the living room with me. I think since the first two scenes were over my head at that age,she may have thought nothing of it.

That infamous last scene though,I went flying into my mother's arms and she & my dad and grandmother spent a better part of the night just trying to calm me down! My oldest brother used this fear to chase me around the housemaking noises like the doll,typical older brother jerkness. (For lack of a more grammer appropriate word.)

I'm not necessarily mad at her for that,it wasn't her fault about the movie's content,I think no one knew that the doll was going to come to life and chase Karen Black with a big kitchen knife. I have since watched this again and it doesn't even phase me now. Maturity,as well as more serious things in life,has made something impossible like this....impossible and fictional. As it should be.

There's no way in the world one could forget this scene,once it's been seen. The only thing you can do is grow up and know that it is just special effects and just a movie. If I ever have kids though,I wont sheild them from things but I will be very selective,so that they don't have an unexpected fear shot into them as I and the rest of us did.

[–] aabcd2395 18 years ago

Is this the movie where she is watching TV and goes into the bathroom and the doll comes in under the door somehow? I am trying to find out. It was either the late 70s or early 80s. My grandma was watching it and I got up to use the bathroom and stopped and watched it. That is the only part that I remember. It has stuck with me for over 20 years.

[–] tynabop 18 years ago

Yep thats the one. You have to rent it though to get the full effect, LOL
Tyna
A "doltergeist" is a spirit that decides to haunt someplace stupid, such as your septic tank.

[–] galluslass 18 years ago

this whole thread really made me laugh and brought back many memories. Born in '69 and had forgot the name of this movie but not the movie or the way it made me feel. Like everyone else I think I spent years dodging the wee guy under the bed.

Other movies on TV that really scared me was Salem's Lot (watched it alone as a young teen) and someone mentioned The Birds as well.

Like someone said we were never censored watching TV. Remember sitting with the family watching all the old black and white horrors like Frankenstein and The Wolfman and they all scared me ####less!!

My old great aunt who was such a gentle lady even took me to the cinema to see Jaws when it came out. I must have been about 5 - what were they thinking back then!!

[–] jspost10 17 years ago

I was born in 1969 and was 6 when I watched it and it screwed me up for life. I can't stand dolls of any kind and now I have a daughter that loves them. That Zuni doll was hideous. I saw one online and still got goosebumps looking at it.

My husband jokingly said he'd get me one for Christmas. I jokingly said that I would buy him a boa constrictor. I'm scared of dolls, he's scared of snakes...problem solved.

[–] am71374 17 years ago

Yup. Born in '74, Doll scared the crap outta me. Just watched the movie tonight on dvd. It was pretty funny. "Amelia" is the only story worth watching. The last scene is priceless. I can't believe this thread is so long.

"And if a frog had wings, he wouldn't bump his a$$ a-hoppin'"

[–] tynabop 17 years ago

Tell me about it! I about all forgot I wrote this. At least it shows i'm not alone. Now I need to make a post about "Q-tip" addicts, talk about loooong thread, lol!
Tyna

"...There's a slight chill in the air"
-Lola (from Kinky Boots)

[–] Aundaray 17 years ago

Saw it as a kid. Like others for several years it freaked me out. I remember breaking several of my sister's dolls so that they wouldn't come to life.

[–] NYgirly 17 years ago

I was at a friend's house and Trilogy of Terror came on at the "3 o'clock afternoon movie"--gawd where were any adults?? This movie gave me nightmares for YEARS. What got me most were it's sharp little teeth and

**********SORTA SPOILER***********

...the part after she has locked the Zuni fetish doll in the bathroom and runs out only to let curiosity get the better of her and she goes back to the bathroom listening for any noise, but no that didn't satisfy her curiosity so she HAD to lie down on the floor outside the bathroom door and look through the crack under the door only to see the Zuni's evil eyeball staring right back at her!! That and when it chases her down the hallway and she slams the door on it's arm and next you see it's little beef jerky arming waving a knife around EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEKKKKkkkkkk!

I too later saw Poltergeist (the first one was the best one too!). That freaking clown's face got so evil looking after it dragged the little boy under the bed and of course the build-up to that part was fantastic--where the boy throws the jacket over the clown, then it disappears and you hear it's bells jingle, the boy leaning over and peaking under the bed, etc.

Fortunately I can watch both now though it took me a little time to build up the nerve to look at the Zuni again just in case it was even scarier than I remembered. I was irrevocably scarred by both movies and have been left a
...horror junkie hahaha :)

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[–] pred_1 17 years ago

The Original Doll Still lives today and can be seen up close in a glass case
at universal studios in california. looks creepier in person and had the chain on it's neck,thank god. it really looks like it may just come to life and start hackin!

a remake would of been better rather then a sequel which sucked.

but a remake of this story alone would be cool with better effects.

chucky obviously copied the story basicly but of course chucky was not scary like this lil native..

i took sum cool pics of this doll,i don't think i could handle looking at this thing all day,so i wont be buying a doll. it's just too creepy,i'd sooner buy a michael myers mask,alot more timid.

a classic,timeless. and the effects were done well considering the time it was made. really scary if your 10 years old,i saw it alot younger and man it kept u wondering where that lil guy was hiding. keeps u on the edge of your seat.

creepy little cannibal.

i'll be hitting up universal this year to see if he's still there or turned to dust. he should be still there.

some things were gone last time,like THE CAR from the movie,the car with james brolin?

another cult classic which inspired christine,about a car that kills with the soul of the devil. pretty cool movie for it's time,and still works now a days.

if u have not seen,The car? u should rent it.

the car itself was cool and creepy,alot more then christine was.

a cool funny and brutal movie.

the car itself sat rotting away at universal for the longest time,every time we passed the jaws attraction,u could see it sitting across the lake,rusting away.

someone bought it and now it's gone. i would of loved to own that car.

it was evil lookin and just plain cool,but again like trilogy of terror?

a classic,even if reviews were bad,it has a following and to most?
it's a killer flick. brolins best film since capricorn one,yet another classic flick.

there is a flick if u wish to see OJ simpson die?

watch it.

they don't make movies like these anymore boys,baby boomers took over so now all they do is copy and make crappy remakes!

rob zombies halloween will be the nail in the coffin,if it sucks the wazoo!

no more remakes!

sequels are one thing or even a prequel,but some movies don't need to be remade,like halloween!

two movies i can think of that come to mind that could benifit from CGI would be trilogy of terror,and of course king kong,which peter jackson has made.

the gorilla finally looked real and acted like a real ape.

some classics should never be touched.

they have no imagination anymore in hollywood. most of them don't.

every now and then something decent comes along,but most fall back on old classics to watch over and over again when in the mood for them.

star wars,at least the first 3 movies do not ever need to be remade.
indiana jones? should never be remade.
close encounters... E.T... and so on... how dare they if they do.

already they are planning on remaking escape from new york andthe THING!

two classic which need not be touched and should be considered sacred!

trilogy of terror is one of the most scary films of all time....

[–] diverdwnn 17 years ago

I saw this when I was about 7 or 8, when it first came on TV. I can't even remember the first two segments, but the Zuni doll has stuck with me forever. Probably the scariest monster I've ever seen on film or TV. Probably just because I/we saw it at such an impressionable age.

Anyway... for many years when I would tell friends about how traumatized I was, most never even heard of it, so no one could empathize with the terror it caused me. Poor me :( lol

Well, now there is this message board. Sort of like group therapy : ) ha ha

[–] ellandrob-1 17 years ago

I was 10 years old when this was on TV, and I had the misfortune to have the mumps with a high fever at the same time. The fever only served to make the Zuni doll part of the story more terrifying, and I still nightmare about it from time to time, even now! The doll and an episode of Night Gallery with Roddy McDowell, where there is a painting in his house that shows a cemetery, and as he comes back to look at the painting from time to time, the picture changes, showing the grave empty, then filled, then his name on the tombstone! There was also an episode of the Twilight Zone where an invalid woman keeps getting strange phone calls and the calls get traced to a cemetery, where a downed telephone wire leads down to -- her dead husband's grave!

[–] 17 years ago

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[–] design-57 17 years ago

I was born in 1968 and saw this movie when it came on TV, I must have been about seven years old, and I was vacuuming my room and heard screaming coming from the TV, and caught the "doll" episode from about halfway through. It absolutely scared the crap out of me. Seriously, I was totally warped and have never forgotten standing there, absolutely petrified, watching that doll chase that woman all over the place. I had nightmares about it! I think that movie messed up a LOT of kids!

[–] leetallahassee 17 years ago

I was born in 1955. I watched this made-for-television film when it debuted
on ABC in 1975. While the third segment was quite memorable, I must say that first and second segments were interesting and frightening in their own way.
In fact, the most memorable (to me) of the three, was the second segment where
Ms. Black brilliantly portrayed "sisters" who (spoiler alert!) turned out to be
two completely opposite sides of one disturbed woman.