User Reviews

This is one of those Thriller tales that might have been better marketed as an episode of The Twilight Zone. How frightening can a story be when it opens at a farm that's known as the Home of the Pampered Pig? Right off the bat you know you're in for something offbeat when the celebrated Cissy Hawk (Jo Van Fleet) uses a little witchcraft to turn Bruce Dern into this little piggy.

The story is based on Circe, a goddess of ancient Greek mythology who turned humans into animals using magic potions. Mrs. Hawk has a preference for prize winning hogs as it turns out, and provides a happy playground for her pampered piglets. Somehow I think old Jason Longfellow (John Carradine) should have known better than to try and outwit the remarkable Mrs. Hawk. She'd been at this witchcraft business a whole lot longer than he was a con man.

Even the local sheriff was no match for this smooth seductress. Tom Willett's middle name was Ulysses, just like the Greek king who had his men turned into hogs by the aforementioned Circe. Hopefully most Thriller fans won't be too disappointed that this one is done more in a whimsical vein than going for flat out horror. I kind of enjoyed the comic turn this one took, but I'll have to think twice the next time I go for my bottle of blackberry brandy.

This episode had an interesting premise. Apparently, Circe, the goddess that Odysseus (Ulysses) encountered on his journey to Ithaca, is still alive and running a pig farm. Of course, she is the one who turned all of Ulysses men into pigs, so she is able to ply her trade by bringing in unwary men and transitioning them. A couple of men of the road come to her house the one is tricked and becomes major pork chop. The other lasts a little longer (John Carradine). He mistakenly announces that he will blackmail the lady and she uses dust to turn him into a swine. The problem with this episode is simple. There has to be an out. Even if the characters end up tragically, they had to have a chance. Because this sorceress doesn't seem to have a weakness. I longed for a table turner, but it was not to be.

I attended a Jewish Parochial school in my youth. This learning institution tried their best to teach us about the dietary laws handed down from generation to generation. An indoctrination of what you could eat abiding by the laws of Kashruth. For those who are not familiar with that term a simple definition is Jewish laws concerning the suitability of food. Simply the observance of eating only kosher foods. It didn't take long before I strayed and entered Young's Tea garden Chinese restaurant for some Pork Ribs. In 1960 National Broadcasting Company ran a competitive TV series called "Thriller". Hosted by the deep throated distinguished actor of mostly Horror movies, Boris Karloff. In this episode, The remarkable Mrs Hawks, the series crosses over to horror and black magic. Jo Van Fleet plays a high shrilled slightly aged owner/ femshep of blue ribbon hogs. She runs a farm and seems to attract vagrants and the neighboring railroad hobo's as farm hands. There is no shortage of pigs on this farm. The help checks in to work on two feet and leave on four hooves. One such well read vagrant, a Mr. Longfellow played by the colorful actor John Carridine. Longfellow, formally a Phi Beta Kappa is on to Mrs. Hawks diabolical disposal of his friend Johnny (Bruce Dern). He reads up on Greek mythology and the his discovery is quite shocking. The heir apparent Pete (Hal Baylor) who, on his first night saw unbelievable sights of black magic, tries to leave the grounds, but greed also falls into play as curious Longfellow has monetary plans. Instead of notifying the local sheriff (Paul Newland), tries to extort Mrs. Hawks and her secret. A fascinating script that was very effective. No gore or gross visual effects to speak of but you're riveted to this hour long mystery. Jo Van Fleet does a masterful job and is always in control of the situation. Consistently slippery and cunning throughout the story you won't be disappointed. As for my edible journey outside my kosher world, I tried the pork spare ribs and they were a gastronomical wonder.