"The Veil", is a highly entertaining 1958 TV series which my fellow fans of Classic Horror/Mystery should enjoy, and which is especially recommended as it is hosted by none other than the immortal Horror-icon Boris Karloff. Karloff narrates a story about 'the unexplainable, which lies behind the veil' in each of the ten episodes. The individual episodes are all fun to watch, but they sure do differ in quality. This "Jack The Ripper" is the last and, as far as I am considered, by far the best episode of the series. I must confess that I expected this to be my favorite episode even before watching the series, and, even though this is the only episode in which Karloff played no role (other than that of the show host), it turned out to be by far. The story of grisly murders in the foggy London nights of 1888 has always been good material for adaptations in film and literature, and this is also the case with "The Veil". But even apart from the fact that the Ripper-case makes good Horror material, this is by far the best episode, both in storytelling and in chilling atmosphere. A kind-hearted London clairvoyant (Niall MacGinnis) is tormented in his dreams by visions of gruesome murders. Shortly later the first Ripper murders occur in Whitechapel... The only regret I have with this last "The Veil" episode is the fact that Karloff played no role other than the host. Apart from the lack of Karloff in the story, however, this has by far the best ensemble cast. Nial MacGinnis is a terrific actor and he delivers a great performance in the lead here. Dorothy Allison, whom Horror fans might know for her roles in films like "Blind Terror" or Hammer's "Dr Jeckyll & Sister Hyde" is great as his wife. The atmosphere is creepy from the beginning, the episode is very well shot and has some downright ingenious moments. Especially the dream sequence is arguably the highlight moment of the entire series. It could have been a bit more gruesome, but hey, let's not forget this is a TV episode from the 50s. Overall, "Jack The Ripper" is by far the greatest episode in the series, and highly recommended to all classic Horror fans. Too bad they only made ten episodes of "The Veil". I would have happily watched many more.
