The Norliss Tapes
A newspaper publisher listens to the personal tapes of investigative reporter David Norliss, who has disappeared during an investigation. The tapes tell the story of that investigation, involving a recent widow whose late husband has been seen working in his private studio. As Norliss and the widow investigate, they unravel a plot involving Voodoo and the walking dead.
Why it matters
A moody blend of paranormal noir and early ‘70s TV horror that quietly builds dread through found-tape storytelling and grounded performances.
- Dan Curtis (Night Stalker) crafts a restrained supernatural thriller rooted in atmosphere over cheap scares.
- Roy Thinnes and Angie Dickinson anchor it with serious, unflashy work that sells the eerie, slow-burn tension.
- Early example of zombie and demon lore mixing with investigative journalism — a template for later occult detective tales.
- Practical effects on the wandering dead are low-budget but effective, capturing that twilight zone between uncanny and menacing.
Director
Cast
Horror DNA
Gore
0
Slow Burn
33
Psychological
14
Supernatural
40
Creature
18
Disturbing
0
Fun Factor
33
Cerebral
0
Survival
0
