DVD: The Shirley Temple Storybook Collection: Terrible Clockman/The House of the Seven Gables

DVD: The Shirley Temple Storybook Collection: Terrible Clockman/The House of the Seven Gables | Joe Higgins, Betty Garde ...

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	• The Shirley Temple Storybook Collection: Terrible Clockman/The House of the Seven Gables Joe Higgins, Betty Garde Genius Entertainment, 2006 view larger image
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Safe For Children

"Shirley Temple's Storybook" was an anthology series that Shirley hosted for children on NBC in the early 1960's. Shirley also typically played a role in each of the stories in the series. As a young child I was a big fan of the series and for me "The Terrible Clockman" (1961) was the most anticipated of the entire collection. At the conclusion of each week's telecast there would be a trailer for next week's show and I couldn't wait for this one to be shown. It looked to be very scary and it was based on a Jules Verne story.

Unfortunately it proved a disappointment. Although the format of "Shirley's Storybook", three act plays with theatre style production design, worked fine for drama ("House of Seven Gables") it was not a good fit for science fiction. Too much suspension of disbelief was required. The title character is a man size clock, actually a guy inside a gold colored suit of medieval armor with a clock face. It looks surreal enough to be scary but the action sequences are very poorly staged.

The basic story involves an alchemist (played by Eric Portman) in league with the devil who wants to marry the beautiful daughter (played by Shirley) of a clockmaker (played by Dr. Zorba from "Ben Casey"). He blackmails them with a spell that manipulates time and turns a giant clock into a walking monster.

Watch for John Astin ("The Addams Family") in a minor role as the Coachman; you will probably recognize his voice before you recognize his face.

Then again, what do I know? I'm only a child.

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The Terrible ClockmanA futuristic fantasy tale of a clockwork monster who comes to life and frightens the inhabitants of a small Swiss town. Young viewers will be pleased to learn that although things might get a little scary there s no reason to worry Shirley will be with you the whole time. Based on a 19th century novelette by Jules Verne often hailed as The Father of Science Fiction. The House of the Seven GablesNathaniel Hawthorne s supernatural and romantic tale of a New England family and their life in the House of Seven Gables a two-hundred-year-old dwelling haunted by the ghosts of past generations. In a cinematic rendition of one of the best-known 19th century American novels Shirley is joined by legendary stars Martin Landau Agnes Moorehead Robert Culp and others.Format: DVD MOVIE Genre: TELEVISION/CLASSIC UPC: 796019779098 Manufacturer No: 77909

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