Strange Experiences
A British fantasy-horror anthology of strange events.
Strange Experiences is a British fantasy and horror television series that aired on BBC Television from 24 September 1955 to 15 June 1962. The series stars Peter Williams as a storyteller named Peter who recounts strange, uncanny, and supernatural events from his daily life across England. It is notable for its anthology format and for featuring a range of British actors in various roles.
- network
- BBC Television
- episodes
- 30
Quick Facts
- Genre
- Crime, Drama, Fantasy, horror
- Starring
- Peter Williams / Peter Sallis / Theodore Bikel / John Wood / Elspet Gray / Josephine Griffin / Arthur Howard
- Country
- England
- Num Series
- 1
- Num Episodes
- 29
- Producer
- Derick Williams
- Runtime
- 5 Minutes
- Company
- Associated Television
- Channel
- ITV
- First Aired
- 1955-09-24
- Last Aired
- 1962-06-15
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The series follows a storyteller named Peter, played by Peter Williams, who narrates strange, uncanny, or supernatural occurrences he has experienced during his daily life in various places across England. The show blends fantasy and horror elements, with each episode presenting a new tale. The cast includes Peter Sallis, Michael Shepley, John Wood, Elspet Gray, Hugh Latimer, Josephine Griffin, Arthur Howard, and Ian Whittaker, among others.
Reader's Guide
Strange Experiences is significant as an early British television anthology series that explored supernatural and horror themes during the 1950s and early 1960s. It received positive reviews from critics, with one describing it as 'a good but strange series.' All 29 episodes survive, with 22 held by the British Film Institute and selected episodes available on YouTube. Two episodes, 'Grandpa's Portrait' and 'Old Silas,' were released on DVD and Blu-ray as part of the British Film Institute's Short Sharp Shocks Volume 3 in 2023. The series also had a unique pre-premiere: two episodes, 'Safe and Sound' and 'The Knife Thrower,' were shown in the 1955 TV movie/TV play Fcb TV Show No.1 to preview the upcoming ITA channel.
Did You Know?
- All 30 episodes of the series survive, and 22 are available at the British Film Institute.
- Two episodes, 'Grandpa's Portrait' and 'Old Silas,' were released on DVD and Blu-ray on 9 October 2023 as part of Short Sharp Shocks Volume 3.
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