This fast-paced film breaks no boundaries, and yet remains a solid little chiller-thriller with an amusing central performance from Leslie Nielsen. This is one of those films which they just don't make anymore, an old-fashioned thriller in which Nielsen and his friends try to work out the motive of a murderer and stop him killing again. It's all very conventional, and yet there is something about it which raises it above average. Perhaps the atmospheric scenes of a shadowy mutant stalking about in the shadows, murdering people, which brings to mind one of the better versions of Jack the Ripper. Or maybe it's Nielsen himself, who brings a lot of comedy to the film, perhaps practising for his later roles as a comedy star in hits like the NAKED GUN films.

Here, Nielsen plays a character who acts like an American Sherlock Holmes, although this man's identity and history is never revealed to us (this was to be the pilot for a never-made television series). His character isn't very well developed, which is probably a flaw in the script instead of with Nielsen's light performance. I mean, he keeps on disguising himself as to protect his identity, but for what reason? If Nielsen's character had been fleshed out a little more it would have given us a stronger lead to identify with - as it is, we don't really feel or care for him throughout the film.

The plot keeps us guessing by dropping clues in every ten minutes or so (the film only runs for an hour, so we never have long to wait),and even draws in some occult science - including a horrible statue, made with flesh and bone, which feels "hot". The twist ending is surprisingly downbeat, and all the more effective (although Nielsen's closing jokes seem to be rather misplaced). The makeup for the deformed killer is quite good, and there's a wonderful transformation sequence where a man dissolves from being handsome into a clawed fiend. The violence, unfortunately, is kept strictly offscreen, although there are a couple of fight scenes which involve Nielsen getting scratched by the killer's clawed hands.

Mark Richman is very good in a supporting role and reminded me of a young Charles Dance - his blackouts here are especially unnerving, when we don't know what they mean. The only false note is with the insubstantial female lead, who literally does nothing for the film's short running time except scream occasionally. A sign of the times. There's even a dwarf servant in there for good measure. This light, easy entertainment is never made anymore, and I really do miss it after watching films like this. DARK INTRUDER is an engaging, and best of all, fun thriller, an oddity which deserves to be tracked down.

It's 1890 San Francisco and a killer is on the loose. Brett Kingsford (Leslie Nielsen) is a rich Sherlock-like sleuth and an expert in the supernatural. Nikola is his diminutive man-servant and Evelyn Lang is his fiancée. Brett follows the tiny figurines found at the murder sites to an oriental demon. His friend Robert Vandenburg (Mark Richman) is disturbed with surprising connections to the murders.

This theatrical movie is only an hour long. It does feel shortened as a full length movie. It's too bad because I was going along on the ride. It turns out that it may have been a pilot for a never-developed show. I can absolutely see it as a modern supernatural mystery series. Nielsen is great as a Sherlock Holmes like character. It's set up for an intriguing early supernatural TV show and a missed opportunity.

This title is now available via Sinister Cinema. The print is in great shape with just a few frame jumps scattered throughout the film. This pilot plays out like you would expect it to. The script is tight to keep the film to @60 minutes. It does have the feel and pacing of a television episode but is done well. The acting is good and the film is very atmospheric. I was surprised to see Leslie Nielson in the lead role. He has a rather evil looking dwarf for a manservant. I kept looking for Werner Klemperer as I noticed his name in the opening credits but must admit he got by me. I only found him by checking the acting/character names at the end of the film. He is in heavy makeup while on screen and even his voice is not recognizable. One negative note is the soundtrack composed by Lalo Shifrin. It contains some mighty cheesy organ playing and detached female vocalizing not unlike the original Star Trek theme! Catch this if you can. It's a neat little thriller and you could do a lot worse.