Strapping bon vivant in gaslight San Francisco (played with self-amused assurance by Leslie Nielsen)--an apparent specialist in demonology--is called upon by the police commissioner to help with a serial killer case making headlines. It seems the cloaked strangler stalking the fog-enshrouded streets leaves behind a gargoyle head with his victims, causing the detective to think demonic possession may be involved. "Dark Intruder" (awful title!) isn't really an occult thriller at all; the explanation of the mystery (delivered in two parts!) is actually more outlandish or absurd than supernatural. Meant as a TV pilot (with a 59-minute running time), the movie is sloppily-directed, over-decorated and features numerous genre clichés (a brazen claw clasping a railing after our hero has walked passed, the shadow of the monster looming over a door, etc.). However, Nielsen is good, the sound effects are creepy, a fight scene at night is well-staged, and there's a decent (if familiar) visual at the end featuring an elaborate make-up effect. Charles Bolender (as Nielsen's impeccably-dressed little person manservant) is a terrific addition, but Judi Meredith's nervous bride-to-be is useless (and she sounds dubbed to boot). Not terrible, but really only for curious thriller-buffs. ** from ****
Review of Dark Intruder
