Hammer's short-lived supernatural series Journey to the Unknown (produced by Anthony Hinds) only lasted about four months. 20th Century Fox acquired the hour-long episodes for American release and paired several of the episodes together and released them to both theaters and later to TV. This one contains "Poor Butterfly," directed by Alan Gibson, and "The Indian Spirit Guide," directed by Roy Ward Baker. For some reason original series hostess Joan Crawford has been dropped from the proceedings and instead we get pudgy, bearded charmer Sebastian Cabot, who briefly pops in to warn us, "You'll pray for morning!" In "Poor Butterfly," Steven Miller (Chad Everett), an American businessman in London, receives an invitation for an unknown source for a costume party out in the county. He can't figure out who invited him or why, but travels to Measham House, a secluded manor that seems to be stuck in some kind of time freeze. There he falls for Rose (Susan Broderick), a young, frightened beauty dressed in a butterfly costume. She wants him to take her back to London with him, but various guests say "I don't think they'll let her come with you." The next morning, Steve discovers why. The highly predictable story involves romance, jealousy, an attack with a croquet mallet, ghosts and reincarnation.
The better segment is Roy Ward Baker's "The Indian Spirit Guide," which was scripted by Robert Bloch. Jerry Crown (Tom Adams), a hard up private eye having a hard time paying the bills, gets hooked up with wealthy, grieving widow Leona Gillings (Julie Harris), who wants to contact Howard, her late husband of fifteen years. Jerry specializes in uncovering bogus psychics, such as a man in drag (!) using tape recorders and lighting tricks and a turban-wearing Oriental mystic at "The House of Chandu," who uses a floating trumpet on strings gimmick. Seeing an easy, vulnerable target in Leona, Jerry decides to romance, marry and then kill her for her money. But there's one more psychic that needs to be defrauded; Sarah Prinn (Catherine Lacey), one of Howard's close friends, who works through an Indian spirit guide called Bright Arrow (Julian Sherrier). Will Bright Arrow be able to warn Leona in time that she's in grave danger? Both tales are just mildly entertaining and received a TV-G rating on cable (suitable for children).
The better segment is Roy Ward Baker's "The Indian Spirit Guide," which was scripted by Robert Bloch. Jerry Crown (Tom Adams), a hard up private eye having a hard time paying the bills, gets hooked up with wealthy, grieving widow Leona Gillings (Julie Harris), who wants to contact Howard, her late husband of fifteen years. Jerry specializes in uncovering bogus psychics, such as a man in drag (!) using tape recorders and lighting tricks and a turban-wearing Oriental mystic at "The House of Chandu," who uses a floating trumpet on strings gimmick. Seeing an easy, vulnerable target in Leona, Jerry decides to romance, marry and then kill her for her money. But there's one more psychic that needs to be defrauded; Sarah Prinn (Catherine Lacey), one of Howard's close friends, who works through an Indian spirit guide called Bright Arrow (Julian Sherrier). Will Bright Arrow be able to warn Leona in time that she's in grave danger? Both tales are just mildly entertaining and received a TV-G rating on cable (suitable for children).