The Veil - Volume 2 (DVD)

Boris Karloff, the master of horror, hosts a macabre collection of strange stories (all based on "true" incidents) in this rarely-seen series that was intended for television back in 1958. Made a few years before Karloff's better-known "Thriller" show, "The Veil" featured the veteran actor performing in many of the chilling episodes in a variety of creepy roles. While the program was never aired, some of its episodes were plucked and edited into feature-length movies that were sold to television, reminiscent of theatrical releases like Tales From The Crypt and The Vault Of Horror. Exceptionally entertaining and well-made, "The Veil" evokes the same type of edge-of-your-seat thrills as "The Twilight Zone" and "One Step Beyond."

Episode 1 - "The Gloucester Captain": Having gone mad after many long years at sea, Captain John Elwood returns home to Massachusetts with thoughts of brutally murdering his devoted wife.

Episode 2 - "The Doctor" Angelo, the son of an elderly doctor, attempts to save the life of a deathly ill young girl. After his father unexpectedly arrives to help her, Angelo realizes he has had a brush with the supernatural.

Episode 3 - "The Crystal Ball": Edmond Valye is hopelessly in love with a beautiful but greedy woman. When he discovers a mystical crystal ball, Edmond learns the scandalous secrets of her deceitful nature.

Episode 4 - "Two Sons": Rival brothers battle each other for the estate of their recently departed father. When the conflict turns violent, the dead father's restless spirit returns to save his family from total destruction.

• television