Thriller File It Under Fear (1973–1976) Online

"File It Under Fear," a truly frightening and highly original British thriller penned for TV by the estimable (and underrated, if not unknown) Brian Clemens, made its U.S. debut as an entry in the ABC network's late-nite series of thrillers wherein, at 11:30 PM every weeknight, American viewers were treated to a 90-minute mystery designed to woo viewers away from NBC's the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson. Unfortunately, this brave, adventurous undertaking lasted only one season (low ratings and high-production costs spelled doom from the start). Nevertheless, I fondly re-call the high-quality and Grade-A sheen of the entire series, most of the tele-films British (though not all), and many of them written by Brian Clemens (an unsung "master of suspense" whose screenplays for such theatrically-released gems as "See No Evil" and "And Soon the Darkness" sent chills pulsating through movie-goers spines in the early '70s, the same era of "File it Under Fear"). The deceptively simple set-up involves an attractive young woman who spends her days working in the local library of an unnamed British village, and spends her evenings living with her crotchety mother whose taste for the macabre goes into overdrive when the village is plagued by the grisly murders of several young women. The suspects are plentiful, from the eccentric group of loners who congregate in the creepy Victorian library to while away the time, and chatter about the gruesome goings-on, and the lady-in-peril's circle of equally sinister acquaintances. Circumstantial evidence leads the heroine to fear that the killer is a handsome, enigmatic young American, but during a harrowing night when she is locked in the library, alone and defenseless and stalked by the unknown psychopath, the identity of the killer is at last revealed--amidst the crashing of bookshelves and screams of horror. This forgotten little gem is blessed with a superb cast, marvelously eerie settings, and, of course, Mr. Clemens deviously delicious screenplay. I taped this film on when the entire series was syndicated to American t.v. (in the late '70s). But my tape has long disappeared, as well as, I regret, has "File It Under Fear." As original and creepy as anything Hitchcock ever conjured up, "File It Under Fear" has stayed in my mind to this day. It is truly one of the most unsettling, nerve-needling and gleefully suspenseful thrillers ever made.

'File It Under Fear', the eighth episode in Thriller's first series, is an effective mystery story with the right blend of atmospherics and tension.

Maureen Lipman plays the part of a somewhat dowdy but incredibly sensual librarian, Liz Morris who lives at home with a somewhat domineering and morbid mother (played by Rose Hill) and a somewhat dour and enigmatic lodger Steve Kerroway. Richard O'Callaghan plays the part of George Bailey, her library assistant. It's A Wonderful Life this is not! A number of young girls in the area have gone missing / been found murdered and Liz becomes wary when she realises that she could be a victim.

The action is primarily focused on the library and the gripping conclusion takes place there. The location shots are particularly effective and atmospheric while the ending (avoid the US credits) is somewhat surprising.

This was one of the two episodes I could vividly remember from viewing the series in the 70s. Rewatching Series 1 last year, "File It Under Fear" had lost none of it's power to scare!!

When a madman is on the loose, killing attractive young girls, Liz Morris (Maureen Lipman) is trying to hold things together at the town's hub - the library!! As with many of the Thrillers, there are more than enough suspects - the odd lodger Steve (John Nightingale), who is often out walking at night and at one point comes in with scratches on his face, George Bailey (Richard O'Callaghan), Liz's repressed library assistant, who has built up a strong resentment to Liz's authority and just women in authority in general!!! And of course there is Gerry Masters (Richard Pendry) who not only is one of the dead girl's boyfriend but is afterward the last person to be seen with pretty library assistant Karen before she goes missing.

The under current through the episode is that Liz, at 28 and unmarried, is over the hill and too plain to attract even the attentions of a killer. Nowadays, with the other girls being typical English "dollybirds" (a 70s term), Liz comes across as the most attractive and sensuous in the cast but in the show everyone seems to have a snipe at her. Her insensitive mother says "you're not married - you don't understand these things", then has a laugh with the creepy lodger. George comes out with "I'll walk you home Liz - I feel safe with you"!!! Even the police dismiss her complaints initially as the jealousy of a frustrated spinster. Even though she doesn't realise it, it is her "goodness" that is keeping her safe!! It is all this sniping, along with the unraveling of her "let's be sensible" approach that causes her to lose control.

The ending is very suspenseful - locked in the library (by vengeful George, who has just been sacked) Liz, alone and frightened, plays a cat and mouse game with the man she thinks is the killer. Amid the eerie Victorian style library with winding stairs, falling bookshelves and plenty of screams the real killer is finally revealed. Maureen Lipman has never stopped working. "File It Under Fear" was an early TV credit. She had her own series, "Agony" in the early 1980s, also a sequel "Agony Again", visited "Coronation Street" and was lately seen in "Ladies of Letters" (2010). She was awarded a C.B.E. for her services to drama.

Highly, Highly Recommended.

A strangler is on the loose, targeting young women, the centre of activity seems to be the local Library, where head Librarian Liz Morris's curiosity tangles her up in the grim case. Without any doubt, this is the best episode of Thriller I've seen up to this point, a relatively simple plot, but the way it's told, and the superb characterisations make for compelling viewing. The acting is indeed superb, Maureen Lipman and John Le Mensurier are the standouts, a fabulous combination of acting talent, each makes their character incredibly interesting. As a whodunit it works incredibly well, you are truly kept in the dark until the very last, even then you're left questioning if you have all the answers. Some griping moments, the conclusion in particular. First rate, 10/10.

A serial killer targeting young women is on the prowl . Head librarian Liz Morris sees her colleague Gillie Randall in the company of a man . The next day the normally reliable Gillie fails to appear for work and the library staff start fearing the worst especially Liz who worries that she's a witness to a crime

This is basically a whodunit and it's left to the audience to make up their own minds as to who the murderer is . Apparently however this might not be the case if you've seen the American prints which let the cat out of the bag as to who the serial killer is . What makes the episode stand out slightly is the amount of people in the cast who were or would find relative fame for their comedy roles and to be fair the cast are mainly efficient . The story itself isn't bad but like so many other type of stories in this genre is a bit too formulaic with red herrings , false leads and surprise plot twists and once you know who the murderer is doesn't lend itself to repeat viewings