One of the few existing episodes of the mystery series LIGHTS OUT, based on the radio series of the same name, shot in New York during John Carradine's 1947-1953 hiatus from Hollywood. Carradine's earliest surviving TV appearance, playing Cecil Crofton, a history professor who convinces a local rube (E. G. Marshall) that a Confederate treasure lies hidden nearby, undeterred by the ominous warning "Larros catch meddlers!" A genuine horror tale using just three sets, ending with an effective sting in the tail. Carradine remained busy doing all kinds of TV fare for its first decade, mostly in Westerns, but by the late 60s he started appearing in more genre shows. E. G. Marshall may perhaps be best remembered by horror fans for his memorable performance in 1982's "Creepshow."
2 Reviews
A really good episode
planktonrules10 November 2012
Although I love horror anthology shows, I must admit that one of the earliest television shows of this type, "Lights Out", mostly was made up of klunkers. All too often, poor writing and lousy sets doomed these shows to being second rate...at best. However, a few are truly excellent--including "Dead Man's Coat" and this one, "The Meddlers". And, if you want to see them, you can download them for free at archive.org.
"The Meddlers" stars John Carradine and E.G. Marshall. Carradine was great and Marshall was good, too, but Marshall's role was NOT one I would have suspected he'd do. Usually, Marshall played very sophisticated sorts of folks--probably due to his excellent diction and voice. However, here he's cast as a backwoods hillbilly--though he wasn't bad.
The show begins with Carradine approaching Marshall about a proposition--if he helps him, he can split a fortune in Confederate gold and silver. Marshall doesn't believe him at first but soon agrees--as long as he can bring his 'glory hand' (a WEIRD good luck charm). Soon, they arrive at a supposedly abandoned old house--where they meet a weird old man who warns them not to try to get the treasure. Naturally, overcome by greed, they aren't about to listen. I'd say more, but I don't want to spoil the suspense--and it is both creepy and suspenseful. And, in some ways, it's like a supernatural version of the great film "Treasure of the Sierra Madre". Well worth seeing due to fine acting and really good writing.
"The Meddlers" stars John Carradine and E.G. Marshall. Carradine was great and Marshall was good, too, but Marshall's role was NOT one I would have suspected he'd do. Usually, Marshall played very sophisticated sorts of folks--probably due to his excellent diction and voice. However, here he's cast as a backwoods hillbilly--though he wasn't bad.
The show begins with Carradine approaching Marshall about a proposition--if he helps him, he can split a fortune in Confederate gold and silver. Marshall doesn't believe him at first but soon agrees--as long as he can bring his 'glory hand' (a WEIRD good luck charm). Soon, they arrive at a supposedly abandoned old house--where they meet a weird old man who warns them not to try to get the treasure. Naturally, overcome by greed, they aren't about to listen. I'd say more, but I don't want to spoil the suspense--and it is both creepy and suspenseful. And, in some ways, it's like a supernatural version of the great film "Treasure of the Sierra Madre". Well worth seeing due to fine acting and really good writing.
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