Thriller (TV Series) The Return of Andrew Bentley (1961) User Reviews

It sure gets the atmosphere right!

[planktonrules · 8/10 · 2 March 2014]

A few months ago, I tried watching the anthology series "Thriller" and was incredibly disappointed. While I was hoping it would be like "The Twilight Zone" or "The Outer Limits", I was shocked how boring and mundane the shows were--and mostly about crime. However, I read someone's review of the show and they insisted that the show got better as it progressed and the later episodes were quite spooky. And so, "The Return of Andrew Bentley" is my attempt to once again watch the show.

I noticed at the onset that this particular episode was nothing like the first 6 or 7 I'd tried to watch. This one was very mysterious and creepy--with a tone that would scare the pants off many viewers! The music, the sets and the writing were clearly nothing like the shows I'd already seen. This is a major plus.

The show begins with a couple going to see the husband's uncle. Amos Wilder turns out to be a really nutty guy who loves to scream and whose social skills are greatly in need of remediation! Uncle Amos gets Ellis Corbett (John Newland) to promise a lot of strange things--such as to NEVER leave this mansion. In exchange, Ellis will inherit his uncle's fortune. Within a day, Uncle Amos is dead--having taken his own life! After Amos' death, however, a strange specter of a man, a man long dead, appears in the home and seems to be coming for the uncle's corpse. Can Ellis possibly thwart this evil? This is clearly a scary piece of Gothic horror--and will no doubt please most viewers. However, it's so intensely scary that I don't recommend it to everyone. Kids and the easily frightened might just want to skip this one! So, for an early 1960s TV show, it is pretty amazing. As for the plot, it's interesting but has a few holes and inconsistencies--but you won't care because the show is so intensely scary and weird. Well worth seeing.

Spooky and weird...just like the better episodes of "Thriller".

[planktonrules · 8/10 · 25 October 2018]

Amos Wilder is a weird man who has long studied the occult. When his nephew visits, he makes the younger man swear to a weird oath. When Amos kills himself, the nephew keeps his promise to stay in Wilder's mansion 24/7 and daily check on his burial vault daily. And, before dying, Amos also mentioned something cryptic about 'Andrew Bentley' and neither his nephew nor the nephew's wife understand what this means. The nephew follows the instructions completely...and one day he finds a weird man with hypnotic powers trying to get into the vault....and it turns out to be Bentley! But why? What does he want with Amos' body?? Well, the answers apparently are written in a letter Amos left...explaining this IF such an occurance takes place.

So, is this worth seeing? If you love creepy atmospheric shows, this definitely IS creepy and weird...mega-weird! And, it's also highly original...a sharp contrast to the very mundane episodes of the beginning of season one. Worth seeing and spooky.

"There's something unnatural here."

[classicsoncall · 8/10 · 26 February 2012]

Along with Thriller's host Boris Karloff, Bela Lugosi and Vincent Price would be considered true icons of the horror genre, but my question would be - what's the deal with this guy Reggie Nalder? Man, he is one of the creepiest looking guys ever and that's even without the benefit of makeup. Nalder has a rather colorful if mysterious presence in the history of cinema, with career highlights as an assassin in Hitchcock's remake of "The Man Who Knew Too Much", and a horrifying role as a vampire in the Stephen King inspired TV mini-series "Salem's Lot". His role as a vampire in this story is also quite mesmerizing, and I would argue the story didn't even need that demonic accomplice to be effective.

Additionally, you have John Newland here in not only the lead role as heir Ellis Corbett, but he goes one step beyond to take on directing duties as well. Newland's character must promise his Uncle Amos that he will live in uncle's house upon his death, and will examine the burial vault daily to insure that it has not been breached. With that, Uncle Amos (Terence de Marney) summarily commits suicide with a poison pill, with written directions left behind in case foul play ever intrudes on his final resting place.

If remade today, I wouldn't change a thing except for that poorly executed apparition serving as the ghostly accomplice of Andrew Bentley (Nalder). Totally unnecessary because, as I've mentioned, Nalder is truly demonic enough himself with that burn scarred face and gaunt expression. He could however take a lesson from Lugosi on how to swing that cape.

Brilliantly Gloomy Thriller Episode

[Witchfinder-General-666 · 9/10 · 24 February 2011]

Apart from a few weak episodes in the beginning of the series, I've become a huge fan of the early 60s show THRILLER (aka. "Boris Karloff's Thriller") hosted by none other than the magnificent Horror deity Boris Karloff. Out of all episodes I have seen, THE RETURN OF ANDREW BENTLEY (Season 2, Episode 12) is positively the most atmospheric, eerie and ingenious (with WELL OF DOOM on a close second place). Prior to his death, the eccentric magician Amos Wilder (Terence De Marney) makes his nephew and heir Elis Corbett (John Newland) swear that he will guard his body against evil spirits. In order to protect the mansion from the spirit of an evil necromancer (Reggie Nalder), Corbett and his wife are never to leave the uncle's impressive mansion...

THE RETURN OF ANDREW BENTLEY is probably the most elegantly creepy and atmospheric, in other terms the most 'Gothic' of all THRILLER-episodes. The old mansion is the most beautifully gloomy setting that one can wish for. As it is the case with most THRILLER-episodes, the score is great and perfectly supportive of the gloomy atmosphere. This is one of two episodes featuring the incredibly creepy-looking Reggie Nalder (the other being THE TERROR IN TEAKWOOD). Nalder, an Austrian actor whose sinister scarred face epitomized the looks of a Horror-villain is probably best-known for his role of a Witch-hunter in the controversial 1970 Exploitation-classic MARK OF THE DEVIL (OT: HEXEN BIS AUFS BLUT GEQUÄLT). He once again shines in the role of an utterly diabolical character here. THRILLER is a show that is generally highly recommended to any lover of classic Horror, and THE RETURN OF ANDREW BENTLEY is the best episode I've seen so far. Should I see a better episode, I'd bee surprised. Highly recommended!

Prelude to the Exorcist

[Hitchcoc · 9/10 · 3 December 2016]

Richard Matheson, one of our great horror story writers, presents a story by August Derleth. Derleth wrote may stories, patterning himself after the master, H. P. Lovecraft. He founded Arkham House Books and kept in print many of the pulp science fiction and horror writers of his day. In this one we have what could be a tired plot. A man must stay in an ancestral home in order to receive the home for himself and inherit a bunch of money. He must promise to protect the being of a man who practices sorcery. He has apparently endangered his soul. After a series of weird encounters, forces are brought in. The atmosphere is wonderful here. The mansion is spooky and well put together. There is a deep darkness in every scene. Well done.

Some inheritances might not be worth it....

[CinemaSerf · 7/10 · 21 September 2021]

To be honest, I wasn't the biggest fan of these stage-bound television dramas. All they usually did was to hide their thinly derivative plots behind the veneer of an highly paid, well established, presenter - in this case Boris Karloff. This episode, does, break that mould a bit. "Amos Wilder" kills himself, secure in the knowledge that his nephew beneficiary "Ellis" (John Newland) will keep his corpse protected from the vengeance of the evil necromancer "Bentley" who's got just a bit of an axe to grind with the late lamented magician. The magical elements feature tangentially - essentially this is quite an engaging thriller set in an old dark house, with some decent dialogue, characterisations and a score that all combine to create something just a bit more substantial. The acing is nothing to write home about, but perhaps because no-one is vying for top billing, the whole is successfully more enjoyable than the sum of it's parts. The plot is a little untidy - they've tried to cram quite a lot into this hour, but that doesn't detract too much from what is really quite an eery and atmospheric little mystery.

Sinister Sorcerer

[AaronCapenBanner · 9/10 · 1 November 2014]

John Newland(Series director and host of "One Step Beyond") both directs and stars as Ellis Corbett, who, along with his wife Shelia(played by Antoinette Bower) is summoned to the home of his dying and eccentric sorcerer uncle Amos Wilder(played by Terence DeMarney) to inherit his estate, but with the condition that he follow his instructions exactly, which involves guarding his vault to prevent an evil rival sorcerer named Andrew Bentley(played by Reggie Nalder) from invading it for a most sinister purpose... Newland acquits his double duties here quite well indeed in a Gothic, atmospheric tale that is most memorable.

the BEST ?

[GMBOBSCI · 9/10 · 23 October 2007]

This is my personal favorite out of all the episodes in the series- which is not an easy task to select !

I don't know where to begin,citing the myriad traits of a perfect ghost or horror tale,if you will;

John Newland is simply superb...and you have,to boot,a stellar supporting cast such as Oscar Beregi,for example,as the intrepid minister;

Music is appropriate and the ambiance is top notch ! For its the mood which compels one to revisit this overlooked classic.

The special effects are fine for the time and the sounds emitted in combo provoke a particular chill;and the black and white cinematography is just right.

The pace is splendid and never flags-it keeps building towards some type of crescendo of pure evil... and,yet,how delicious when our tale ends with logical resolution so we might get on with a possible good night's rest...or a diverting dream...or...?

-the Mighty Bo

inspired at whole

[Kirpianuscus · 25 September 2022]

Magic, possesion temptation, an eccentric uncle and his conditions as pillars of legacy, a creature and his master and a nephew preserving the remains of his relative.

A story rich in wise used tool for create the thrill, offering fair pieces for fair atmosphere and a beautiful frame for a real Gothic story in old fashion manner.

It is strange the fascination developed by each scene , the impression about music and special effects in our time of technology , the wise connections with classic literature of genre.

In short, a pure admirable crafted episode, John Newland proposing a great acting and the end being so simple and precise.

One of my favorites, though not without its flaws

[blerpnor · 9/10 · 28 March 2024]

The atmosphere and music are great, the actors fine--especially the brilliant Ken Renard (too bad he's marked for death in both of his "Thriller" performances)--and the horror is more than sufficiently horrific. Because of this, I'm reluctant to carp, but something is missing from the storyline: Something that could have made it even more compelling. The way I figure it, had Uncle Amos been less of an unpleasant jerk, we'd have more reason to want his soul (or, at least, his body) safe from demon possession, but in his brief scene with Ellis and Sheila, he makes it clear that 1) He's only leaving his estate to them because he has no other relatives, and that 2) He doesn't especially like Ellis. You don't shout into the face of someone you respect. Or... The script could have made it clear that, despite the precautions taken with Amos' tomb, the failure of the minister to give his blessings ("protection") during the funeral makes Amos' corpse vulnerable to possession despite the door markings, etc. This is never explicitly stated; I'm just assuming it's the case. Thus, a clearer reason for the race-to-the-finish ending--an ending which stretches believability (even for a horror outing), since it has the four easily discovering the location of Bentley's body, despite Amos' failed efforts in that area. True, the ghost leads them to the spot, but still... And why does Rev. Burkhardt object so vehemently to so much as Ellis reading from the "protection" book (which the reverend clearly regards as profane), only to go along with its instructions at the close, no questions asked. The burning of Bentley's corpse has always been a bit of a letdown: A classis "That's it?" ending. Oh, and since the reverend's blessing is so vital to Amos' after-life protection, why does he commit suicide, knowing (we can assume) that Burkhardt will probably deny him same? Yet, somehow, it all works.

Richard Matheson's only contribution to the series

[kevinolzak · 4/10 · 24 December 2021]

"The Return of Andrew Bentley" boasts an August Derleth story published in WEIRD TALES, adapted by Richard Matheson ("The Incredible Shrinking Man"), and directed by leading man John Newland, then current host of ONE STEP BEYOND, yet another promising beginning (like "Dark Legacy") dissipates into drawn out exposition and a rushed finale. Newland's Ellis Corbett is accompanied by wife Sheila (Antoinette Bower) to pay an urgent call upon wealthy uncle Amos Wilder (Terence de Marney), who insists that he will die and must exact a promise from his nephew that he keep watch over his grave so that it is not disturbed. By the following evening, the old man gives up the ghost during an organ recital, and after the door to his tomb has been secured we finally see that which he feared, Reggie Nalder as Andrew Bentley, a rival sorcerer who was killed by Amos two years before but now seeks to claim his corpse to walk the earth again. Newland was always better behind the camera, entirely too vacant and laid back on screen, setting a bad example for the entire cast, much hand wringing to comic effect, and a miscast Oscar Beregi totally out of his depth in a serious role, more often a figure of amusement. Nalder, previously seen in "The Terror in Teakwood," looks the part but remains silent and prone to squinting, poor Ken Renard from Newland's "Pigeons from Hell" required to expire in hysterical fashion once more. Apart from Terence de Marney, nothing seems to gel on this occasion, a pity since it was Matheson's only script for the Karloff series.

Laughably Bad

[henri sauvage · 3/10 · 30 December 2016]

I've watched almost all these episodes, and I have to say that although some of them are quite good, this is one of the most eminently forgettable ones I've seen so far, even though Richard Matheson did this adaptation of an August Derleth story. The problem is, John Newland is a terrible actor -- and not a particularly good director, either. Far from being frightening, the titular character swans around in a black cape that makes him look like a Dollar Store Dracula. If anything, he reminds me of the chiropractor Ed Wood, Jr. Got to substitute for Bela Lugosi in "Plan 9 from Outer Space". Bentley's demon "familiar" is a nice effect, but the creepiness is quickly squandered because all it can do is stand around and make groping gestures. Even the presence of stunningly beautiful Antoinette Bower can't salvage this tripe.