Again within the late 80s and early 90s these of us (like myself) who didn’t have cable or an enormous satellite tv for pc dish of their entrance yard needed to make do with syndicated TV sequence paired with community TV. And we weren’t truly lacking out that a lot since in these days a few of the finest TV round was in that syndicated roster. Star Trek: The Subsequent Technology, Hercules, Xena, Freddy’s Nightmares, and what would turn into a worldwide phenomenon referred to as Baywatch have been all part of that magical world of syndicated TV. I liked it however I had some stand out favorites… most of which have been filmed in Canada and would showcase numerous the identical faces, retaining Toronto based mostly actors employed. One among my favorites was a present referred to as Friday the thirteenth: The Sequence. No, no, this isn’t to be confused with that Crystal Lake present. Friday the thirteenth: The Sequence, at the least initially, didn’t have any ties to Jason and his mother. It simply shared a reputation as a result of, effectively, in the event you heard a title like Friday the thirteenth: The Sequence, wouldn’t you watch it? Properly, that’s precisely what the sequence creators have been betting on after they got here up with that title. And with {that a} distinctive horror television sequence was born. So come together with me as we go vintage purchasing at a bit of place referred to as Curious Antiques… however perhaps don’t contact something as on this episode of Gone However Not Forgotten we peer into the shop entrance of Friday the thirteenth: The Sequence.
Friday the thirteenth: The Sequence got here from the minds of Larry B Williams and Frank Mancuso Jr. Mancuso truly had produced quite a lot of the F13 movies that includes Jason earlier than developing with the thought of the sequence. Mancuso and Williams have been truly going to go along with the title The thirteenth Hour, however regardless that he didn’t need the present linked the Jason movies, he went together with the ultimate title of the present as a result of… once more… you’d be tempted to observe pondering perhaps there’d be a hockey masks carrying fiend exhibiting up. The rumor is that sooner or later there was stress to attach the sequence with the hockey masks (wouldn’t that be a hell of a cursed vintage?) within the present… however Mancuso didn’t need to depend on that to maintain folks . Because it was, it wasn’t wanted in any respect. Friday the thirteenth: The Sequence stands by itself fairly effectively, no assist wanted.
The premise of the present is definitely sensible and permits numerous diversified storytelling… almost making it an anthology in a approach however with at its heart the trio who’re attempting to cease the evil that they’ve inadvertently unfold. The sequence follows a retailer which might turn out to be often known as Curious Items. It begins with the unique proprietor, Lewis Vendredi, breaking a deal he made with the satan and paying the worth for breaking the contract. After his demise, the shop is inherited by his distant relations. His niece and her distant cousin arrive to take possession (no pun meant) of the shop. Reasonably than retaining it (effectively, the automobile goes to remain) they determine to promote every thing they will. Mickey and Ryan then meet Jack Marshak, an acquaintance of Lewis’s who is aware of greater than most concerning the occult and likewise is aware of precisely what Lewis was doing within the title of the satan. Each vintage Lewis bought, together with the blue mild particular that Mickey and Ryan had simply unleashed on the world, was cursed. Every merchandise has a particular skill, which in fact, comes with a value… as a result of that’s how the satan works.
That results in the core of the sequence, which is the trio going forth and looking down the antiques, to cover their evil again within the vault of Curious Items…. which they hold operating however solely promoting NON-cursed objects. This format truly was fairly good. It allowed the sequence to do varied forms of tales and inside every there was a morality story. Consider it as a REALLY darkish form of Goosebumps blended with a little bit of The X-Information. Decide an object after which construct the story round what you suppose it may do for you. Somebody would want to die to activate the ability of the article… and naturally one thing would occur to require the individual to maintain utilizing it… which meant extra deaths. The cycle of greed or need… retains taking place to the consumer till ultimately they pay the worth for what they’ve achieved.
The primary episode of the sequence was referred to as The Inheritance and naturally featured a killer doll. It additionally featured actress Sarah Polley. It premiered on October third of 1987.
Because the sequence progressed, the lead characters grew and had quite a lot of traumatic experiences occur to them. Mickey breaks issues off together with her fiancée to maintain discovering the cursed antiques. Jack Marshak has to face one of many Nazis who tortured him in addition to loses his personal fiancée. Ryan, although, in all probability modifications probably the most as he’s remodeled again into the kid model of himself to be raised by his absentee mom. When Ryna left, we had a brand new character be a part of the workforce within the type of Johnny Ventura. Ventura truly matures in the middle of his time with the sequence however… it’s not at all times straightforward coming right into a present after a lead leaves. So followers have been a bit of onerous on Johnny with Ryan leaving in such an odd approach in the course of the two-part premiere of season 3.
The sequence would truly run for 3 seasons. The primary two had 26 episodes however the truncated third would solely have 20. The cancellation occurred whereas the twentieth episode was being filmed and can be the finale, airing Might 26, 1990.
So let’s speak concerning the forged and a few of the visitor stars (there are a lot of.) First off, I need to speak about Chris Wiggins, who performed Jack. I truly bought to satisfy him approach again at a Without end Knight conference I attended in Toronto. He was a pleasure and was incredible as Jack. He introduced a fantastic vitality to the sequence and felt very very like that Van Helsing/Physician Loomis character {that a} sequence like this wanted. Wiggins had an extended profession in radio, movie, and TV. He even voiced The Nice Wishing Star within the second Care Bears Film and was even the voice of Mysterio within the 60s Spider-Man cartoon sequence. He handed away in 2017 on the age of 86.
Mickey was performed by singer and actress Robey or her full title Louise Robey. Robey was fairly the catch for the sequence as she was a preferred singer within the 80s, particularly with worldwide audiences. She was additionally a mannequin together with her hanging eyes and lovely hair. She introduced one thing to Mickey we’d see afterward in sequence like Angel with Cordelia. A personality who appears fixated on appearances and turns into a powerful girl who’s right down to combat evil at no matter the price. Robey would truly go on to marry the Earl of Burford a number of years after the sequence ended and would turn out to be Girl Burford when the 2 married in 1994. The 2 would divorce in 2001.
John D LeMay would play Ryan Dallion and would maintain the distinct honor of being one of many solely leads within the present to look in an precise Friday the thirteenth movie, Jason Goes to Hell. I believed this was actually neat when the film got here out…. simply saying. LeMay was in quite a lot of TV sequence and movies through the years together with Tour of Obligation and Freeway to Heaven. He’s gone on to turn out to be a filmmaker himself, with a manufacturing firm referred to as Feat1stFilms.
Steven Monarque was Johnny Ventura. Monarque got here from the world of sweet sixteen movies and labored on ABC Afterschool Specials earlier than taking over the evil of the antiques retailer. He went on to star in another TV sequence like ER and Prison Intent but additionally is a revered author and musician.
The visitor stars that might arrive with each new episode in addition to the administrators may very well shock some who’re unfamiliar with the sequence.
R.G. Armstrong was Lewis Vendredi within the premiere and would seem a few extra instances in the course of the sequence run. Armstrong was an epic character actor and would seem in an epic ton of TV and Movie. This would come with classics like Predator, Dick Tracy, Matt Houston, Fantasy Island, and simply far too many to say right here. Colin Fox (who sadly handed in April of 2025) would seem as two characters Within the sequence. Fox was one other staple Canadian character actor who would seem on sequence like PSI Issue and Goosebumps.
A number of roles would occur for fairly a number of of the visitor stars on the sequence. George Buza, who many know because the voice of Beast within the X-Males cartoon sequence was truly in 3 episodes. Colm Feore, also called Loki’s actual dad and likewise gave among the best snarls ever on display in Storm of the Century, was two characters. David Hewlett, Zack Ward, James Russo, Ray Walston, Billy Drago, Keye Luke, Nigel Bennett, even Self-importance can be within the present. Denis Forest, who truly was a kind of actors who would present up in actually every thing I used to be watching was in 5 episodes of the sequence as completely different characters. And truly I need to take a second to name out Forest’s work. For these fellow geeks of mine, right here’s what he confirmed up in: Storm of the Century (with Colm Feore), The Invisible Man (the Syfy sequence), The X-Information, The Adventures of Brisco County Jr, Nightmare Café, Dracula: The Sequence, Struggle of the Worlds… and that’s simply a part of it. Forest simply had a novel look and approach about him. And sadly I might uncover wanting up data for this episode that he handed away far too younger on the age of 41 in 2002. I simply needed to take a second to thank him as a result of…. like clockwork, he’d at all times be in one thing I liked, and I’d at all times level and go THAT GUY… as you do with character actors who’re actually good at what they do.
When it got here to administrators, although, Friday the thirteenth: The Sequence was a standout there as effectively. David Cronenberg, sure, that David Cronenberg directed the episode Religion Healer, which starred his longtime performing collaborator Robert A Silverman. This episode would in fact function some physique horror as a result of that’s how Cronenberg rolls. It’s one of many extra remembered episodes due to that and the efficiency of Silverman. The cursed object here’s a glove which can remedy somebody of their sickness however has to provide the sickness to another person, with the signs elevated.
The episode Repetition, which featured a pendent that may resurrect the individual carrying it after they die AFTER killing the one who is at present carrying it (these can get a bit of complicated – oh, and also you hear the screams and voices of the folks you kill whereas utilizing it), this pleased plot was written by Jennifer Lynch. Sure, David’s daughter and a fantastic filmmaker in her personal proper.
Friday the thirteenth: The Sequence had numerous nice episodes and in as we speak’s world of truncated season numbers for what number of episodes are made (I’m taking a look at you, Marvel Zombies, together with your whopping 4 episodes) the sequence with 72 episodes truly is a good quantity. So I picked a handful which can be my favorites to share with you. Not stunning, most of those are from Season 2, the place the present actually hit its stride.
The Butcher: In addition to the very fact one in all my favourite vampires of the small display, Nigel Bennett, is the lead dangerous man on this one, The Butcher is a good commentary on how the evil of fascism can keep alive over the many years. The story is a Jack-centric one and talks about Jack’s time in WW2. It facilities on a resurrected Nazi named Rausch who Jack and his comrades in arms defeated whereas liberating a Nazi camp. Rausch is introduced again utilizing an amulet utilized by a Nazi occultist named Mueller. Jack’s surviving teammates are murdered by Rausch one after the other. Oh, and Rausch has turn out to be a celeb proper wing radio host who’s as clean as any Nazi propagandist may very well be. It’s a pleasant little metaphor about how even while you suppose you’ve killed the evil of Hitler and the Reich, it could come again… and it could select some very acquainted methods to do it.
Mesmer’s Bauble: Denis Forest was the “bad guy” on this episode, which additionally featured Self-importance. Forest was Howard Moore, a really unhappy and lonely man who’s infatuated with Self-importance’s Angelica. He makes use of a crystal that grants needs after you hypnotize somebody and kill them. The episode takes a fair sadder flip on the finish as Moore realizes he doesn’t love Angelica a lot as he needs to be her, to get the eyes and adoration of her followers… one thing he’s by no means had. It doesn’t finish effectively for him.
The Baron’s Bride: From Season 1, that is one in all my all-time favorites. It’s a vampire episode (there are two in complete in the course of the present’s run.) It includes a double whammy, a cape that makes the wearer irresistible to girls and a diamond clasp that when a drop of blood hits it permits for time journey. Oh, and it’s owned by a vampire’s widow who can be a vampire. Micki and Ryan, after a tussle with the widow and her new would-be paramour Frank are transported again to nineteenth century England the place they run right into a gent by the title of Bram Stoker. Ain’t life humorous generally? I really like this episode and the way it makes use of black and white movie for the time the cousins are again prior to now. It’s only a neat idea and appears incredible.
Scarlet Cinema: I’m a sucker for an episode that focuses on basic film monsters, and this one does simply that. The Wolfman is the main focus right here as a movie scholar has a cursed film projector that enables him to deliver to life characters from his favourite movies… one in all which is The Wolf Man. It’s neat that clips from the movie are proven on this episode. It additionally has one of many extra creative methods of killing a werewolf by utilizing the silver nitrate that is part of movie inventory.
Grasp of Disguise: One other nod to basic film monsters, Grasp of Disguise is form of the Clayface film we’ve but to get (it’s being filmed.) It focuses on William Pratt (sure… I do know… give me a second) who’s a good-looking film actor and turns into Micki’s new love curiosity. The issue is he’s bought a cursed make-up case that belongs to John Wilkes Sales space, the man who killed Lincoln. The case permits the consumer to turn out to be good-looking and delightful after being touched by the blood of a murdered sufferer. This is without doubt one of the few instances the vintage consumer doesn’t die. However issues don’t finish effectively for Micki and Williams relationship. This is without doubt one of the few instances as effectively that the cousins discover a love curiosity with ties to an vintage that winds up tearing them aside. However (and right here we’re) we discover out that Jack knew a person earlier than named William HENRY Pratt… AKA Boris Karloff.
Symphony in B-Sharp: One other basic impressed episode as a result of I come from the church of Dan Curtis, and you are taking all of the gothic lit in your inspiration. Additionally, Ely Pouget performs Ryan’s love curiosity on this, and he or she was Maggie Evans in Curtis’s Darkish Shadows reboot in 1991… so it really works. This one is impressed by The Phantom of the Opera and follows Pouget’s Leslie who’s paramour Janos Korda was thought to have died in a horrible accident and hearth. Janos has a violin that enables him to play once more as he had earlier than the accident, however he should kill somebody every time the consequences put on off with a spike hidden within the violin bow. Leslie falls in love with Ryan, who’s one hundred pc the Raoul on this situation, which turns as tragic as Micki’s personal love affair did.
Friday the thirteenth: The Sequence was a incredible horror sequence that had a wise gimmick to maintain it going. You actually liked the primary forged, and I used to be at all times suspicious of how shut the cousins bought as a result of Ryan and Micki actually appeared… shut. However, sadly, we by no means bought to see what may have occurred there as a result of unceremonious cancellation of the present. It’s possible you’ll not notice simply how widespread the sequence was within the realm of the syndicated TV, however at its largest the present was solely second to Star Trek: The Subsequent Technology in rankings for that group.
As of now there are not any plans to return to Curious Items. I imply, you possibly can do one thing like that particularly with how Ryan was turned again to a baby. Perhaps he may go searching for his older cousin Micki to seek out out if all these bizarre goals he’s having have been actual with Micki taking over the older Obi-Wan-like Jack function. However alas, the store appears to be closed.
If you wish to return to the shop or be a first-time buyer, although, you may. The sequence is obtainable on DVD and there was even a e book concerning the manufacturing of the present launched in 2015. Who is aware of, although… perhaps once we get that Crystal Lake sequence, there may very well be a mysterious antiques store on the town… I’ve heard that place likes curses.
