Dario Argento's popularity was sealed in Italy when he was tapped to create a series for Italian television. The four episode series which mimicked "Alfred Hitchcock Presents" had Dario himself introduced each episode. The first episode "Il Vicino di Casa" or simply "The Neighbor" stars Aldo Reggiani (The Cat O' Nine Tails) and Laura Belli (The Nun of Monza) as a couple with a newborn baby moving into their first home. Things don't start out too well for the couple when their vehicle gets stuck and they are unable to free it. Walking the last few meters in the dark the couple lament about their new home but are unaware of the horrors that lay ahead. Finally they reach their place, quiet and secluded not to mention in the dark. Well they make themselves as comfortable as possible and after putting the baby to sleep they sit down to watch a "Frankenstein" film on their battery-powered TV. They later notice a wet spot appearing on their ceiling. The couple decides to go upstairs to find the source of the leak but upon searching their neighbors place they discover a secret that they may not live to tell.
All the usual trappings of the giallo genre are on display here. Interesting camera-work, funky music and a bit of suspense but this segment written and directed by Luigi Cozzi (The Killer Must Kill Again, Starcrash) is average at best. The limitations of the TV format hinder the segment a bit but it does manage to create some atmosphere and even a little suspense. The camera-work was pretty good and the acting was good as well but I think the Giorgio Gaslini (Deep Red, Five Days of Milan) is very weak at times and overall a bit poorly integrated into the film.
"Door into Darkness" is an accentual for Argento fans and must for giallo enthusiasts.