A BBC horror programme that was so terrifying it was deliberately destroyed by the broadcaster is set to be aired for the first time in 60 years. The episode, part of the series Late Night Horror, which originally comprised six instalments, was nearly lost to history until a film reel was uncovered in an old canister in Dorset.
Plot and Controversy
The episode, titled No Such Thing As A Vampire, centres on a woman who falls ill with a mysterious ailment, only to reveal two small bite marks on her neck. While the premise may sound straightforward, the series shocked viewers at the time with graphic storylines involving chopped-up bodies and ghouls, prompting numerous complaints to the broadcaster. BFI film curator Atlas Obscura remarked: 'It was quite shocking, I think it was controversial.'
Discovery in Dorset
Following its original broadcast in 1968, the episode was literally destroyed to free up storage space for the broadcaster. Before modern technology, film canisters required significant space, leading to the loss of many early TV productions. In fact, 90 episodes of Doctor Who from that era are believed to be lost forever. However, horror fans got unexpectedly lucky when cinema projectionist Darren Payne was exploring a storage room at the 1930s art deco cinema The Regent in Dorset. He explained that the film was 'on the verge' of being discarded, but upon seeing the words Late Night Horror on the can, he vaguely recalled the short-lived BBC series.
Darren said: 'I was asked to check one of the rather nondescript silver cans, which had the words Late Night Horror handwritten on the label. I am a passionate horror aficionado, and the title rang a distant bell with me. Lo and behold, it turned out to be the long-lost first episode of the Late Night Horror series. I had to pinch myself; it was an astonishing and quite emotional moment. I would not underestimate that experience of being the first to watch a production for the first time in nearly 60 years.'
Screening and Legacy
No Such Thing As A Vampire will be screened on September 20 in Dorset at Grind-fest, a three-day celebration of horror, sci-fi, and fantasy films. As it stands, four of the six episodes of Late Night Horror remain missing: William and Mary, The Triumph of Death, The Bells of Hell, and The Kiss of Blood. However, in 2016, another episode, The Corpse Can't Play, was unearthed after an archivist's three-decade search. This newly discovered episode is based on a short story by the writer of I Am Legend, adding to its appeal for modern horror fans. For those who cannot wait, The Corpse Can't Play is available to stream on YouTube. But viewers be warned: one admitted that 'the intro alone is enough to give me nightmares.'
