Cult-TV Blogging: Ghost Story/Circle of Fear: "Creatures of the Canyon" (December 15, 1972)

“Creatures of the Canyon” is one of the most bizarre -- and one of the silliest -- Ghost Story (1972) episodes I’ve yet reviewed.  The general wackiness of the episode, in some way, makes it commendable, I suppose, but I can’t argue in sincere fashion that it’s a particular strong installment of this anthology.

In this episode, our host Winston Essex (Sebastian Cabot) stands in front of a rear projection screen (of the Mansfield House grounds) to deliver his introduction.  He discusses dogs.

 Isn’t it suspicious, he wonders, that dogs are always called “man’s best friend?”   

Why aren’t dogs a woman’s best friend too? 

In fact, Essex detects an eternal rivalry between dogs and women for male affection that “knows no bounds.”

And my goodness, this is all incredibly sexist and ridiculous.  Dogs and women historically don’t get along?  Who knew?

Well, dogs and women certainly don’t get along in “Creatures of the Canyon,” which features star Angie Dickinson as Carol Finney, a recent widow.  Carol and her best friend, Georgia (Madlyn Rhue) are concerned that a neighbor, Arthur Munday (John Ireland) seems to let his dog -- formerly Carol’s dog -- threaten them on Carol’s own property.

We soon learn that before his untimely death, Carol’s husband and Carol had it out over their dog, and her husband ended up sending the dog away to the Mundays.  But, then, Carol’s husband died suddenly. Now, the dog wants revenge upon Carol for sending him away right at the time when his master needed him.

Carol now suspects that her former pet hates her.  Even after Georgia poisons and kills the dog, Carol is convinced that the animal still wishes her dead…from beyond the grave.  At work, she watches in horror as a bronze statue of dogs keeps changing shape as she approaches.  And at home, Carol worries that her own, gentle dog is growing increasingly erratic…

Ghost Story already gave us a cat episode “Cry of the Cat,” so perhaps it is only fair we get this dog episode now, but boy is this one ludicrous.  Angie Dickinson is very good in the lead role, I must acknowledge.  In fact, at times her performance is outright masterful, given the material she’s tasked with vetting.  But finally it’s hard for even a great actress to maintain her dignity when attacked by a cuddly little dog, one apparently possessed by the spirit of vengeance.

I can’t say it enough: the concepts underlining most Ghost Story tales are extremely thin, and are therefore unable to support an episode of fifty-one minutes in length. They’d work fine in a half-hour slot, but because that’s not the case we are here treated to endless shots of Dickinson gazing at the bronze dog statue in horror, or wandering her property in search of the evil dog. One particularly ludicrous scene has the actress pursued across a parking lot (and into her car) by an invisible ghost dog.

And even as thin as most Ghost Story concepts or premises plainly are, this one is thinner than most. 

Where did the writer, Del Reisman, get the idea that dogs and women are eternal foes?  It’s just such a ridiculous way to frame the story, and unnecessarily offensive to women.  Beyond that, this episode makes no effort to diagram the rules of the ghost dog.  How does it manipulate the statue?  How come sometimes it is invisible, and sometimes it isn't?  How does it possess another dog?  And if it can possess other dogs, why not possess a human?  Beyond these matters, the episode never clearly explains Munday's role in the killings.  Is he supporting the dog's righteous vengeance?  Does he understand what seems to be happening?

I’ve been trying to avoid writing throughout this review that “Creatures of the Canyon” is a real dog, but the temptation is too great, so I’m just going to end the review here, and leave it well enough alone. 

Suffice it to say, “Creatures of the Canyon” descends into high-camp before it ends, and Ghost Story once again adds a weak episode to its roster.  The program’s batting average is really dipping now.

Next Week: “Time of Terror.”