Recalling The Sixth Sense (1972)
By Eric Grigs | October 8, 2023
No, I’m not here to talk about the 1999 Bruce Willis movie with a twist ending. Let’s instead revisit the ’70s TV show that shares a name, which was a two-season small-screen shocker built upon paranormal plot lines.
It was based off the 1971 TV movie Sweet, Sweet Rachel, whose promotional ads asked, “Can someone possess the power to control another person’s mind from miles away? And force them to commit murder?” I’m hooked already!
A year later, the resulting 25 episode series was led each week by Gary Collins as psychic professor Michael Rhodes. He’s hired to solve people’s otherworldly problems with a little help now and then from his assistant Nancy Murphy, played by Catherine Ferrar. His cases are the ones that are too “out there” for us normal mortals.
As a big scaredy-cat when it comes to anything horror, there’s just something calm and reassuring—and solidly ’70s—whenever I see Collins. Maybe it’s just the ease of familiarity? He was a recurring guest star on tons of shows from this era and a talk show host in later years. No matter the reason, I know whatever frights may come my way, I’m in good hands. From his fashionable, casual knit turtlenecks to his low, soft voice, his demeanor tells me everything it going to turn out ok. However, I might have to go through an extrasensory rollercoaster to get there.
After the 1972 show finished its original network run, it was packaged up with another short-lived spooky effort, Night Gallery, to provide enough episodes for syndication offering. Both shows were cut down from hour length programs to a half hour. Rod Serling even filmed new introductions to The Sixth Sense edited versions to make the packaging somewhat more consistent.
Say what you want about early seventies television, it is notable for carrying over high-quality film production processes, so these shows look great in comparison to later, shot-on-video shows. (I’d even go so far as to say the film grain beats the often waxy-looking animated “realism” of high definition, digital efforts today.)
The Sixth Sense carries on the fine tradition of guest stars of the week just passing through, a la Love Boat, which is big selling point for ’70s nostalgia lovers like me. You’ll be checking IMDb listings throughout most episodes to play that enjoyable game: “Who’s that guy and what’s he from?” Have fun seeing Roger E. Mosley, Meg Foster, William Shatner, John Saxon, Sandra Dee, and more showing up for a paycheck.
The series is currently hard to find, but fortunately I snagged an older French DVD complete series set that has an English language track. I’m so glad I grabbed it before it vanished into the out-of-print netherworld!
If you can track down the series to watch, here are some of my favorite episodes I recommend adding to your spooky season watchlist.
Maybe the biggest noteworthy thing for TV-trivia heads: The Sixth Sense marks Hollywood legend Joan Crawford’s final onscreen appearance. In season two’s “We’re Going to Scare You to Death,” Joan’s character runs her car off the road near a spooky house inhabited by a group of young people who use their ESP powers to telepathically torment her when she takes shelter in the home!
In “Lady, Lady, Take My Life,” Dr. Rhodes has to summon all his supernatural strength in a struggle against a group of five nefarious psychics who use their telepathic powers to murder people. “Witch, Witch, Burning Bright” allows Cloris Leachman to chew the scenery as a mother who’s ready to kill her daughter to exorcise the witch she believes resides within her. Screen legend Jane Wyman returns to her old home and sees startling visions, including ones involving her long-dead daughter in “If I Should Die Before I Wake.” When her premonitions start to come true, her older daughter (Stefanie Powers) starts to suspect the madness may not be all in her mom’s head.
I love old melodramatic mystery shows like this because they must squeeze out all the creepy atmosphere from every frame to achieve suspense. This era perfected storytelling with foreboding dread and uncertainty by mixing up a special blend of practical visual effects, jump scares, emotionally manipulative music scores, deliberate lighting, meandering plot pacing, and skillful camera zooms.
The Sixth Sense sometimes veers toward the corny, but its intense earnestness always makes it a lot of fun. If you like watching paranormal mysteries—and if you’ve read this far, something is telling me you do (perhaps you could say I have a premonition…)—this old show may scratch the spooky itch for you.
Eric Grigs is a pop culture writer, artist, and co-host of the Pop Trash Podcast.