Patricia Barry stars as Sheila Devore, an aging actress eager to make a comeback in films, and thinks she has found the perfect vehicle in a script about a witch(seen in the prologue) who was hanged for her crimes, but who wore a reputedly cursed wig that gave her the power of eternal youth, but who must wear it all the time, as its roots take hold, or it will reveal something horrible, which was a warning that goes unheeded by Sheila, who loves the wig, even as the bodies of her enemies start to pile up, and her secret is threatened with public exposure... Barry is believable as the actress, with amusing in-jokes about Hollywood, though the final freeze-frame is more effective than the climatic reveal(though it is still well-remembered).
11 Reviews
Much like the episode of "The Simpsons" where Homer dons Snake's hair...with dire consequences!
planktonrules22 October 2018
When the story begins, a witch from what appears to be the 18th century is being hung. However, she is very particular about her wig...and after she dies you understand why....it's EVIL! When one of the executioners removes her wig, he becomes ancient and dies!
Centuries pass. A down and out actress, Shelia Devore (Patricia Barry) has inexplicably been chosen to star in some big movie about the life of that dead witch from the beginning of the show. But she insists that she MUST wear that witch's wig...no imitation. And, when she dons the wig, it take over the actress and turns her into a murderous fiend...albeit a popular one!
Because of the supernatural elements in the story, this one is less like an episode of "Thriller" and more like "The Twilight Zone"! This is NOT a complaint...as too often "Thriller" episodes could have been much more exciting had they gone weirder and more supernatural. Overall, quite enjoyable and creepy...and worth seeing.
Centuries pass. A down and out actress, Shelia Devore (Patricia Barry) has inexplicably been chosen to star in some big movie about the life of that dead witch from the beginning of the show. But she insists that she MUST wear that witch's wig...no imitation. And, when she dons the wig, it take over the actress and turns her into a murderous fiend...albeit a popular one!
Because of the supernatural elements in the story, this one is less like an episode of "Thriller" and more like "The Twilight Zone"! This is NOT a complaint...as too often "Thriller" episodes could have been much more exciting had they gone weirder and more supernatural. Overall, quite enjoyable and creepy...and worth seeing.
It Will Flip Your Lid
Hitchcoc8 December 2016
In this episode, an aging actress is living in the past. Her accountant is in love with her, but he is a plain little man. He does have a talent though. He has been able to look into the accounts of her previous producers and directors and has dirt on them. He extorts them, allowing her to restart her career. About this time a part is available. It involves a witch who wore a wig which made her beautiful. She was hanged. When the wig fell off, she became a hag. Miss Devore (the actress) wants her role to be authentic, so she asks to use the wig. As it turns out, it makes her beautiful, but the cost is her turning into an ugly crone. She is able to kill off a couple men who used her in the past. They made money off them. She is able to exact revenge and build up a fortune. Of course, the wig must never come off. There is a great concluding scene. One of the better Thriller episodes.
One of "Thriller's" best!
IrishLass24020 March 2009
Warning: Spoilers
The ever-beautiful Patricia Barry transformed this into a chilling tale of a has-been actress striving for one more "big break". Unfortunately, her desire to return to show business brings her into the path of a wig that had been cursed over a hundred years before by a very unpleasant witch. The wig helps her regain her fame, but she sacrifices the best of herself in the process.
Many people consider this to be one of the very best of the "Thriller" series. If you watch it, I think you will understand why. One entertaining sub note: watch Ms. Barry towards the end of the show doing her rendition of the "Twist". The program was aired in 1962, at the apex of the national Twist craze in the United States. Ms. Barry never fails to entertain!
Many people consider this to be one of the very best of the "Thriller" series. If you watch it, I think you will understand why. One entertaining sub note: watch Ms. Barry towards the end of the show doing her rendition of the "Twist". The program was aired in 1962, at the apex of the national Twist craze in the United States. Ms. Barry never fails to entertain!
Wigging out on "Thriller"
melvelvit-13 February 2008
Warning: Spoilers
In 18th century England, a courtesan is hanged for witchcraft and two hundred years later an over-the-hill Hollywood sex goddess, Sheila Devore, blackmails her former studio head into starring her in a film about the sorceress' life and legend. To ensure authenticity, the director buys the actual wig worn on the day of the hanging from an old museum and when Sheila starts wearing it, amazing things begin to happen: the lady looks years younger and the film becomes a smash hit. Miss Devore is a superstar once more -and leaving a trail of dead bodies in her wake...
This memorable episode of TV's THRILLER was directed by veteran filmmaker John "The Lodger" Brahm and nonchalantly balances horror with a few lighter moments as Hollywood machinations are spoofed. In-jokes include Patricia Barry (as Miss Devore) doing a mean Marilyn Monroe and a gossip columnist sporting an outré chapeau a la Hedda Hopper topped off with an open-ended wrap-up courtesy of ALL ABOUT EVE. This isn't the TV show I saw as a kid where an actress bashes her agent's head in with an Oscar (I think) but nevertheless it kept me spellbound.
This memorable episode of TV's THRILLER was directed by veteran filmmaker John "The Lodger" Brahm and nonchalantly balances horror with a few lighter moments as Hollywood machinations are spoofed. In-jokes include Patricia Barry (as Miss Devore) doing a mean Marilyn Monroe and a gossip columnist sporting an outré chapeau a la Hedda Hopper topped off with an open-ended wrap-up courtesy of ALL ABOUT EVE. This isn't the TV show I saw as a kid where an actress bashes her agent's head in with an Oscar (I think) but nevertheless it kept me spellbound.
One of two episodes I recall from "Thriller"
theowinthrop4 September 2006
Warning: Spoilers
I was more in tune with TWILIGHT ZONE and Alfred Hitchcock Presents. So I missed most of THE OUTER LIMITS and THRILLER. But I do remember this episode.
At the beginning we see the execution of a witch for witchcraft and murder in the 18th Century. She is a very attractive looking woman, but very vain, especially about her wig. She begs the executioner be careful not to let the wig get detached from her head. But it does, just as she is put to death. The next set of screams you hear are from the executioner, now holding the wig but looking at his legal victim's corpse.
The story moves ahead a century and a half. John Fiedler is in show business and is a big fan of an actress named Shiela Devore (Patricia Barry). Ms Devore has long lost most of her fan base, and the studio head (Herb Rudley) has been less than lukewarm about doing a big comeback movie with her in it. But Fiedler thinks he has found the right property, in the story of the witch that we saw at the start. It's a costume picture, with plenty of atmosphere, and it ends tragically - do I smell "Oscar"? To add to the authenticity of the story, Fiedler has managed to get the wig that the witch war. Ms Barry tries it on, and it does seem to make her look a bit fresher and younger. She and Fiedler manage to get an interview with Rudley, and he is quite taken by the "new" Ms Devore. Soon his leading director, whom he chose for the production, and the two men (usually friendly) are becoming increasingly antagonistic. Ms Barry does not mind - she's getting her way on everything. Her studio rival minds, and is determined to derail this. And Fiedler after awhile is more than a little concerned - he has learned a bit more about that wig, and he can't get Barry to remove it.
In the conclusion there are enough dead bodies for a Shakespearian fifth act. It was an interesting episode, and well acted, but aside from a type of "all about Eve" conclusion I found it a bit too typical of this type of terror drama.
At the beginning we see the execution of a witch for witchcraft and murder in the 18th Century. She is a very attractive looking woman, but very vain, especially about her wig. She begs the executioner be careful not to let the wig get detached from her head. But it does, just as she is put to death. The next set of screams you hear are from the executioner, now holding the wig but looking at his legal victim's corpse.
The story moves ahead a century and a half. John Fiedler is in show business and is a big fan of an actress named Shiela Devore (Patricia Barry). Ms Devore has long lost most of her fan base, and the studio head (Herb Rudley) has been less than lukewarm about doing a big comeback movie with her in it. But Fiedler thinks he has found the right property, in the story of the witch that we saw at the start. It's a costume picture, with plenty of atmosphere, and it ends tragically - do I smell "Oscar"? To add to the authenticity of the story, Fiedler has managed to get the wig that the witch war. Ms Barry tries it on, and it does seem to make her look a bit fresher and younger. She and Fiedler manage to get an interview with Rudley, and he is quite taken by the "new" Ms Devore. Soon his leading director, whom he chose for the production, and the two men (usually friendly) are becoming increasingly antagonistic. Ms Barry does not mind - she's getting her way on everything. Her studio rival minds, and is determined to derail this. And Fiedler after awhile is more than a little concerned - he has learned a bit more about that wig, and he can't get Barry to remove it.
In the conclusion there are enough dead bodies for a Shakespearian fifth act. It was an interesting episode, and well acted, but aside from a type of "all about Eve" conclusion I found it a bit too typical of this type of terror drama.
One of my favorites
jdiasnwfl13 August 2020
Warning: Spoilers
Very entertaining episode about an actress who gets a wig created by a witch in order to stay young. When the actress puts it on it makes her look younger but also changes her personality and she becomes a murderer. My only complaint about the episode is the casting of Patricia Barry. While she was quite beautiful and is a good actress, at 39 years old she wasn't young enough since the witch she was playing in the movie was 25 years old. I also didn't feel there was enough of a drastic difference between how she looked before she put the wig on and after. In the episode everyone was shocked at how young and beautiful she looked after wearing the wig but she still looked beautiful before she put on the wig. I think they would have been better off with an actress in her 20s and aged her to look like late 30s pre-wig wearing. At the end when Sheila's maid puts on the wig she looked very different from the way she looked before. The show needed that same kind of drastic transformation with Sheila. Regardless it really is one of my favorite episodes with a very shocking ending.
"I'm glad I have the kind of face that improves with age."
classicsoncall4 March 2012
Warning: Spoilers
You have a pretty good idea where this story is going with the initial set up as an eighteenth century woman faces the gallows for murder and witchcraft. She has a fetish about her wig and begs the hangmen not to remove it until after she's dead.
Fast forward to modern day 1962 and we're introduced to a former film star past her prime and looking to make a comeback. Patricia Barry portrays Miss Sheila Devore, who really gets into her character once her former admirer and studio bookkeeper Herbert Bleake (John Fiedler) acquires the original wig from a museum in London. That in itself takes a bit of a stretch to pull off if you think about it, so let's not think about it. As expected, the wig transforms the title character into the Dimple Darling Girl of old who becomes the toast of Empire Studios and the film world once again.
Miss Devore doesn't achieve the body count of her predecessor, but let's not forget, it's only a half hour show. The thing that bothered me about the story wasn't so much that the cursed wig kept the wearer from getting old, but the idea that it would accelerate it's victim's aging even more rapidly once it was removed. I think the better twist to the story would have been for the celebrity columnist Arabella (Linda Watkins) to get hold of that wig and try it on herself.
Speaking of getting older, did you get a load of that party scene with all those folks doing the twist? Talk about a flashback to the good old days. Funny though, it seemed to me that all those twisters probably could have used one of those wigs too.
Fast forward to modern day 1962 and we're introduced to a former film star past her prime and looking to make a comeback. Patricia Barry portrays Miss Sheila Devore, who really gets into her character once her former admirer and studio bookkeeper Herbert Bleake (John Fiedler) acquires the original wig from a museum in London. That in itself takes a bit of a stretch to pull off if you think about it, so let's not think about it. As expected, the wig transforms the title character into the Dimple Darling Girl of old who becomes the toast of Empire Studios and the film world once again.
Miss Devore doesn't achieve the body count of her predecessor, but let's not forget, it's only a half hour show. The thing that bothered me about the story wasn't so much that the cursed wig kept the wearer from getting old, but the idea that it would accelerate it's victim's aging even more rapidly once it was removed. I think the better twist to the story would have been for the celebrity columnist Arabella (Linda Watkins) to get hold of that wig and try it on herself.
Speaking of getting older, did you get a load of that party scene with all those folks doing the twist? Talk about a flashback to the good old days. Funny though, it seemed to me that all those twisters probably could have used one of those wigs too.
Another supernatural winner
ctomvelu115 December 2012
Patricia Barry plays an aging actress who gets her hands on a legendary wig, crafted by a witch, that de-ages and beautifies her. It also makes her homicidal toward certain men in her life. Some of this oddball plot works and some of it doesn't, but it is certainly a clever concept. The ending is good for a jump out of your seat. There is a sequence near the end of a party at which everyone is doing the Twist, including Barry. It is hysterical, but it also brings back fond memories of a more innocent and naive time. Worth a watch, even if it's not perfect. Barry, who was a very familiar face on TV for over two decades, acts up a storm.
Patricia Barry and John Fiedler
kevinolzak24 January 2022
"A Wig for Miss Devore" was an August Derleth story adapted by Donald S. Sanford, offering Patricia Barry the best of her three roles of the series, kicking off with the medieval execution of convicted witch Meg Peyton (Pamela Searle), who has no qualms about being hanged so long as her wig adorns her lovely features. Once the deed is done, the executioner grabs the wig and finds his hands transformed into wrinkled claws, for Meg had created it strand by strand from all her many victims, once worn it can restore a woman's beauty so long as it is never removed. Patricia's Sheila Devore is a 38 year old has been diva, off screen for too long and choosing as her comeback vehicle a horror film about Meg Peyton, complete with the actual wig. Her business manager, Herbert Bleake (John Fiedler), is able to convince Empire Studio chief Max Quinke (Herbert Rudley) to finance the picture due to his previous embezzlement of Sheila's accounts, aided and abetted by her director, George Machik (John Baragrey), and all are dazzled by the new Sheila on her first day on the set, both men suddenly clamoring for her affections after paying no heed to her before. Herbert, in love with her all these years, receives a letter detailing the evil background of Meg's hairpiece, but Sheila wants nothing to interfere with her revenge on Quinke and Machik, their attempts at seduction ending with 'accidental' deaths that make Sheila a wealthy starlet again. Were it not for the meddling of venomous society columnist Arabella Foote (Linda Watkins) things would look quite rosy for Miss Devore, but once she sinks in her claws there's no going back. Even the Derleth original was a satire of old Hollywood, characters as shallow as expected and deserving of their fates, apart from the reliable, sympathetic John Fiedler. Patricia Barry was 39 at the time and still a looker, mostly over the top yet still able to tap into her lost humanity when it comes to Herbert's unrequited love. The climax is suitably grim, and the final reveal very similar to Harry Townes' mirror apparition in "The Cheaters."
a wig
Kirpianuscus25 September 2022
A not so young actress returns to set after a long absence as result of the insistence of her agent. She considers a precious object/ support for her role a wig of a XVIII century witch.
And all is changed in radical manner, the wig becoming key of terrible forms of revenge .
The splendid job of Patricia Barry is the axis of this episode from a series of mistery presented by Boris Karloff. Nothing new different by the rules of genre. The inspired atmosphere, the fair craft of tension, the loyal agent and the letter from British museum testifing the truth about wig are pieces of this splendid episode about dark axis of succes and about power of objects .
And, sure, the old fashion construction of beautiful horror.
And all is changed in radical manner, the wig becoming key of terrible forms of revenge .
The splendid job of Patricia Barry is the axis of this episode from a series of mistery presented by Boris Karloff. Nothing new different by the rules of genre. The inspired atmosphere, the fair craft of tension, the loyal agent and the letter from British museum testifing the truth about wig are pieces of this splendid episode about dark axis of succes and about power of objects .
And, sure, the old fashion construction of beautiful horror.
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