Only A
Scream Away
(ITC Movie title "Only A Scream Away")
Original UK transmission: 26th January 1974
Original US transmission: 18th February 1974
WRITTEN BY: Terence Feely based on a story by Brian
Clemens
DIRECTED BY: Peter Jefferies
PRODUCED BY: John Sichel
MAIN CAST: Gary Collins (Howard Heston), Hayley Mills (Samantha
Miller), Joyce Carey (Liza Meredith), David Warbeck (Robert
Miller), Jeremy Bulloch (Tom Manners), Jonathan Elsom (John
Stratford), Ronald Mayer (Dr Lambert), Barrie Fletcher (Det. Sgt.
Sullivan)
Teaser
Sequence
The camera hovers briefly on a
windmill with a "for sale" sign out the front, before
panning across rolling green countryside where we can hear the
faint clamour of church bells. A wedding is taking place, and as
the newly-weds emerge they are treated to cheers from the
gathered onlookers. Without warning, however, a paint bomb is
hurled at the bride's gown; the perpetrator escapes and the
tearful victim turns to her husband with the words "Oh,
Robert..."
(NOTE: In the movie version this sequence is intercut with extraneous US footage of an unseen figure mixing red paint).
Plot
Summary
Things get off to a bad start
for newlyweds Samantha and Robert Miller when the bride becomes
the target of a paint bomb attack the day of their wedding. Then,
upon returning from their honeymoon, they find a bizarre wedding
gift awaiting: a single white child's glove. The mystery deepens
when a few days later Samantha discovers the other half of the
pair in a trunk of her own childhood mementos, and a faded note
within bearing the legend 'for ever and ever'. The same day, the
Millers' new American neighbour Howard Heston comes calling and
quickly befriends the newlyweds. But Heston appears oddly
interested in Samantha and her past, and seems determined to
unlock the memories of her lost childhood and enshrine her in his
bizarre fantasy world.
Comments
Another great story. Gary
Collins makes the first of three appearances in the series (see
also The
Double Kill and Dial A Deadly Number) and handles the difficult role of Heston
with ease. The plot is the most intricate yet, with a strong
sense of suspense and mystery running right through the story.
Hayley Mills is also well cast as the vulnerable Samantha. Not to
be missed.
TRIVIA: The windmill and church are located in a village called Turville.
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