# Early 70's macabre tv show...night gallery? the sixth sense? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [October 6, 2024, 12:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/early-70s-macabre-tv-show-night-gallery-the-sixth-sense/1008487 "2024-10-06T00:29:28Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Sigene](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/df788c/32.png) [@Sigene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sigene)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2024, 12:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/early-70s-macabre-tv-show-night-gallery-the-sixth-sense/1008487/1 "2024-10-06T00:29:28Z")
This was about 1970-1972 or so. I distinctly remember a show where a woman was terrorized by some animated creatures like scarecrows. Her solution was to light them on fire, and as one of them burned you could see the skull and skeleton inside the body. I was clearly affected some 50+ years later. Does anyone have any chance of remembering or knowing of that specific episode? I don’t know, but I think it was associated with night gallery or the sixth sense, but I can’t be sure. I was only 7 at the time. ---
**Author:** ![Sylvanz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/fbc32d/32.png) [@Sylvanz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sylvanz)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2024, 12:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/early-70s-macabre-tv-show-night-gallery-the-sixth-sense/1008487/2 "2024-10-06T00:46:29Z")
It sounds a lot like The Night Stalker with Darren McGaven. I can’t find an episode like that, but the time seems right, and it was a monster of the week show. ---
**Author:** ![Sigene](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/df788c/32.png) [@Sigene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sigene)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2024, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/early-70s-macabre-tv-show-night-gallery-the-sixth-sense/1008487/3 "2024-10-06T18:13:25Z")
I looked up The Night Stalker and see the first episode was September 1974. This is too late. I remember where I was when I saw this episode and by October 1972 I was in completely different state. ---
**Author:** ![Omar\_Little](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omar_little/32/269_2.png) [@Omar\_Little](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omar_Little)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2024, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/early-70s-macabre-tv-show-night-gallery-the-sixth-sense/1008487/4 "2024-10-08T17:29:55Z")
Trilogy of Terror 1975 > **[Trilogy of Terror: Watch This Movie and You Will NEVER SLEEP AGAIN](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oqwyncBdhZQ%2F)** > > In one of the most terrifying made-for-television movies of the 1970s, “Trilogy of Terror” holds a top spot. Watch Trilogy of Terror: Amelia ▶︎ https://www.y... > **[Trilogy of Terror | English Full Movie | Horror Thriller](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MrYHEHVPoZE%2F)** > > Never miss a single new movie film - subscribe here - ► https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTjxrujNCF9JSQzXE3th21A?sub\_confirmation=1Experience a chilling anth... Karen Black was amazing! ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2024, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/early-70s-macabre-tv-show-night-gallery-the-sixth-sense/1008487/5 "2024-10-08T17:40:26Z")
If The Night Stalker was too late because it started in 1974, then yours is most certainly too late because it came from 1975. ---
**Author:** ![Omar\_Little](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omar_little/32/269_2.png) [@Omar\_Little](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omar_Little)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2024, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/early-70s-macabre-tv-show-night-gallery-the-sixth-sense/1008487/6 "2024-10-08T17:43:53Z")
People’s memories aren’t the greatest…but if it’s actually from 1972 then it’s likely from the Night Gallery series > **[List of Night Gallery episodes](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Night_Gallery_episodes)** > > The horror anthology series Night Gallery began on December 16, 1970 (after the television pilot for the series was aired on November 8, 1969) and ended on May 27, 1973, with three seasons and 43 episodes. It was created by Rod Serling and broadcast on NBC. This list does not include the 25 episodes of The Sixth Sense which were edited into Night Gallery for syndication. > Most episodes include multiple story segments. > Season 1 episodes are approximately 60 minutes in length. ---
**Author:** ![Sigene](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/df788c/32.png) [@Sigene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sigene)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2024, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/early-70s-macabre-tv-show-night-gallery-the-sixth-sense/1008487/7 "2024-10-08T18:31:44Z")
I do recognize that people’s memories are plastic, but I’m exceptionally confident I was in my neighbor’s house in Standish California with my mom and dad visiting with the neighbors and the neighbor kids; Not in Cole Camp Missouri as an 11 year old with my Step Mom and Dad. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2024, 12:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/early-70s-macabre-tv-show-night-gallery-the-sixth-sense/1008487/8 "2024-10-09T00:15:31Z")
I looked through the list, and I don’t think any of the episodes (except maybe “Fright Night”) apply. ---
**Author:** ![Odesio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/odesio/32/20003_2.png) [@Odesio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Odesio)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2024, 12:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/early-70s-macabre-tv-show-night-gallery-the-sixth-sense/1008487/9 "2024-10-09T00:27:44Z")
Memory is a funny thing. I remember watching “Touch of Grey” by the Grateful Dead on MTV in 1985. The video didn’t come out until 1989, so I know I didn’t see it in 1985. ---
**Author:** ![Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/earl_snake-hips_tucker/32/3269_2.png) [@Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Earl_Snake-Hips_Tucker)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2024, 1:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/early-70s-macabre-tv-show-night-gallery-the-sixth-sense/1008487/10 "2024-10-09T13:47:41Z")
When you say “animated,” do you mean that as in “animation” (cartoons, etc.) or just that they were mobile? ---
**Author:** ![Pork\_Rind](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pork_rind/32/111_2.png) [@Pork\_Rind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pork_Rind)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2024, 1:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/early-70s-macabre-tv-show-night-gallery-the-sixth-sense/1008487/11 "2024-10-09T13:52:54Z")
> [@Odesio](#): > > Memory is a funny thing. I remember watching “Touch of Grey” by the Grateful Dead on MTV in 1985. The video didn’t come out until 1989, so I know I didn’t see it in 1985. … and by _1989_, of [course you mean _1987_](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6693386/). ---
**Author:** ![Sigene](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/df788c/32.png) [@Sigene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sigene)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2024, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/early-70s-macabre-tv-show-night-gallery-the-sixth-sense/1008487/12 "2024-10-09T16:22:42Z")
They were mobile…as in ‘came to life’ in some sense that skeleton/scarecrows can come to life. Again, I recognize the chance of misremembering…so I admit the details of what these creatures were could be incorrect…but I AM pretty confident of the timeline ish…1969-1973 at the very outside edges, but probably 1970-1972 ---
**Author:** ![Prof.Pepperwinkle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/prof.pepperwinkle/32/13627_2.png) [@Prof.Pepperwinkle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Prof.Pepperwinkle)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2024, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/early-70s-macabre-tv-show-night-gallery-the-sixth-sense/1008487/13 "2024-10-09T16:42:24Z")
Circle of Fear (aka Ghost Story)? > **[Circle of Fear (TV Series 1972–1973) - Episode list - IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0068074/episodes/?ref_=tt_eps_sm)** > > Circle of Fear (TV Series 1972–1973) - Movies, TV, Celebs, and more... ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2024, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/early-70s-macabre-tv-show-night-gallery-the-sixth-sense/1008487/14 "2024-10-09T17:06:55Z")
I read through the episode descriptions, and none of them seem close to what the OP described. ---
**Author:** ![Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/earl_snake-hips_tucker/32/3269_2.png) [@Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Earl_Snake-Hips_Tucker)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2024, 1:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/early-70s-macabre-tv-show-night-gallery-the-sixth-sense/1008487/15 "2024-10-10T13:53:41Z")
Incorrect answer, but a free bump. In “The Dark Secret of Harvest Home” (1978), it does involve a fire involving scarecrows, but the description doesn’t otherwise match up, and it’s past your time frame. ---
**Author:** ![Odesio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/odesio/32/20003_2.png) [@Odesio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Odesio)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2024, 1:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/early-70s-macabre-tv-show-night-gallery-the-sixth-sense/1008487/16 "2024-10-10T13:56:22Z")
> [@Pork\_Rind](#): > > … and by _1989_, of [course you mean _1987_](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6693386/) Goddamn! Now I’m even more confused. ---
**Author:** ![Snooooopy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ee7513/32.png) [@Snooooopy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snooooopy)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2024, 4:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/early-70s-macabre-tv-show-night-gallery-the-sixth-sense/1008487/17 "2024-10-14T04:39:34Z")
It could have been an episode of _Thriller_ called “The Hollow Watcher.” Now, it came out in 1962, but I suppose it could have been a rerun or something. Was the show in black and white, by the way? Because this show was in black and white. In any case, there is a scarecrow, a woman does set it on fire, and you do get to see the bones underneath. ---
**Author:** ![Sigene](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/df788c/32.png) [@Sigene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sigene)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2024, 11:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/early-70s-macabre-tv-show-night-gallery-the-sixth-sense/1008487/18 "2024-10-14T23:13:53Z")
ooohhhh…sounds promising. It was black and white…primarily because this was 1970-72 and we only had black and white capable TV’s . I’ll see if I can look up Thriller and The Hollow Watcher. Ok Snooooopy; how did you know or find this? Edit: YEP!!! That’s gotta be it. I skipped to the critical scene at 46 min. I didn’t remember until I saw it, but the ‘thumping’ of the scarecrow as it walked pinged a long dead brain cell on me. And the characteristic straight lines on the fade outs of this show was something I long forgot about, but instantly recognized when I saw it. This is most definitely what I was watching. Scared and scarred for life by that particular episode…it made a hell of an impression on me. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2024, 11:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/early-70s-macabre-tv-show-night-gallery-the-sixth-sense/1008487/19 "2024-10-14T23:30:07Z")
Now I have to look it up and watch it! ---
**Author:** ![Sigene](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/df788c/32.png) [@Sigene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sigene)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2024, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/early-70s-macabre-tv-show-night-gallery-the-sixth-sense/1008487/20 "2024-10-14T23:31:45Z")
[![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/RnsJP_GUEIQ/hqdefault.jpg "♦TV Classics♦ 'The Hollow Watcher' (Thriller S2 E20)") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RnsJP_GUEIQ) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/early-70s-macabre-tv-show-night-gallery-the-sixth-sense/1008487.md?page=2)