PORTRAITS OF TERROR: THE FINAL CURTAIN

Cinemavixion Review

This rarely seen television pilot from the prolific and inimitable Ed Wood, "Portraits of Terror: The Final Curtain," offers a fascinating glimpse into the director's unique vision, albeit within the constraints of early television production. Filmed in 1957, the short film stars Duke Moore as an actor who finds himself alone in a darkened theater after a performance. As he navigates the eerie emptiness, he is subjected to unsettling sounds and visions, culminating in a chilling encounter with a seemingly inanimate mannequin that reveals a life of its own. Narrated by Dudley Manlove, the film taps into a dreamlike, almost surreal atmosphere, characteristic of Wood's work, where the mundane setting of a theater becomes a stage for psychological dread. While perhaps not as ambitious as his later features, "The Final Curtain" showcases Wood's enduring talent for crafting suspense and unease with minimal resources, making it a noteworthy piece for fans of cult cinema and early horror television.