Studio: Warner Bros. Home Video
Release Date: July 25, 2006
Number of Discs: 3
Number of Episodes: 14
Running Time: 376 Minutes
MSRP: $39.98
Creator:
William M. Gaines
Executive Producers:
Richard Donner
David Giler
Walter Hill
Joel Silver
Robert Zemeckis
There seems to be a resurgence for anthology series of late. Showtime has Masters of Horror, which spotlights a different director with each new installment, and Stephen King’s Nightmares and Dreamscapes stories are airing on TNT. Before either of these shows would grace our TV screens there was Tales From the Crypt.
Immersed in the tradition of William M. Gaines’ horror and suspense comics from the 1950s, the series ran for seven seasons on HBO. I remember it well, as I was introduced to the world of horror and the macabre at an early age. Horror icons, Freddy Kruger posters especially, adorned my bedroom door. And Crypt was a favorite of mine growing up. Now the series has found new life on DVD, much to the delight of the show’s undead host, The Crypt Keeper (voiced by John Kassir). Thanks to Warner Brothers complete seasons of the show arrive uncut and with modest bonus features.
I’ll admit, when I was younger it was the chance to see the occasional breast and hear some naughty language that had me intrigued. Looking back, the show had a lot going for it – an impressive roster of directors, good stories, and, of course, the intentionally bad puns from its host that bookend each episode.
Just like the comics they were based on, the episodes had the right amount of black humor to go along with its schlock and depravity. The books were vilified by critics who claimed the gore and innuendo was too intense for younger readers. True, the wickedness may have been a little much. But there was a moral to go with every story. Besides, the stories were meant to be tongue in cheek, not to be taken literally.
Thankfully the TV show didn’t have to worry about offending the infamous Comic Code (CCA), which was created in large part because of Gaines’ comics. Since the program aired on HBO and not one of the “Big 4” (ABC, NBC, CBS, or FOX), it was free from the censorship issues that affect regular broadcast television. Better still because Tales from the Crypt is geared towards an overly adult audience. I was just lucky enough to view the show whenever it aired.
The fourteen episodes of season four, all of which include the full opening sequence where we follow the camera into the dilapidated house down into the catacombs, are spread across this three-disc set and play out like so:
Disc One
“None but the Lonely Heart” – Original Airdate: June 27, 1992
Howard Prince (Treat Williams) is a philanderer – a con artist, really – who makes his living by wedding old dames, having them sign over their bank accounts to him, and then killing them for the inheritance. His latest mark dies and everything seems peachy. But as fate would have it, her bank account is frozen. Howard needs to leave town, but not before he can sucker another woman into marriage so he can make a killing. When he starts to receive threatening notes, he begins to suspect his business partner, then the guy running the video dating service (Tom Hanks). With each new suspicion, tension mounts. And if Howard isn’t careful, his ex-wives just may come looking for a loan. A good way to open season four. The episode is the directorial debut of Tom Hanks.
“This’ll Kill Ya” – Original Airdate: June 27, 1992
George (Dylan McDermott) is the prosperous overseer of a drug research company. The experiments vary in degree; some are worthy of note while others are potential moneymakers. When he announces to the press that the company’s latest drug is ready for mass production, which is not true, his employees (Sonia Braga and Cleavon Little) decide to make George the guinea pig, give him a taste of his own medicine. A so-so episode filled with dramatic irony.
“On a Deadman’s Chest” – Original Airdate: June 27, 1992
Danny Darwin and his best friend Nick are the singer and guitarist for the rock band Exorcist. How appropriate as William Friedkin, the director of The Exorcist, sits behind the camera for this episode. Friction within the group starts to mount when Nick marries Scarlett (Tia Carrere). Needing to cool off, Danny and a groupie visit a tattoo artist (Heavy D), whose low-lit parlor is decorated with candles and African relics. The artist gives Danny a tattoo that best describes the story his skin wants to tell. As the bandages come off Scarlett’s face is part of the design – a coiled serpent spread across his chest. Danny loses control, and tries his damndest to get it removed. An interesting episode despite its tediousness, with a payoff worth seeing. Let’s just say Danny won’t have Scarlett under his skin any more.
“Séance” – Original Airdate: July 4, 1992
Written like a 1940s noir, the protagonists, Benny and Allison (Ben Cross and Cathy Moriarty), are two small-time con artists looking to pull one last swindle before calling it quits. Benny makes believe he’s a lawyer who hoodwinks an affluent man named Chalmers (John Vernon) into believing that Allison is his distant cousin; and that the two of them have inherited a large sum of money from a long lost relative. Later that evening Allison seduces Chalmers as Benny hides in the closet taking pictures. They were hoping to blackmail Chalmers for his indiscretions, showing the pictures to his wife. It turns out the significant other is blind. When Chalmers unexpectedly dies, the swindlers hold a séance to coerce the blind woman into handing over the money. Cathy Moriarty and John Vernon give notable performances in an episode where pretending to be something you’re not will put you in grave danger.
“Beauty Rest” – Original Airdate: July 11, 1992
Trying to land an audition is a tough racket. Helen (Mimi Rogers) thought she was going to be the spokeswoman for Ball Buster fragrance spray, but learns her roommate Joyce (Kathy Ireland) got the role instead. Learning that Joyce was accepted to participate in a beauty pageant, Helen does something unexpected: she drugs her so that she can take her place. The dosage is well above normal resulting in a never-ending slumber. Nevertheless, Helen wipes for prints and goes off to enter the contest. There she meets George (Buck Henry), host of the contest, and gives him Joyce’s acceptance letter. He doesn’t bat an eye and allows her to compete. The contest is stiff, in more ways than one, as Helen soon finds out that this job isn’t all its cut up to be. Buck Henry owns this episode, as his song routine will leave you in stitches.
“What’s Cookin'” – Original Airdate: July 22, 1992
This is one of the standout episodes from the fourth season. Fred (Christopher Reeve) and his wife Erma (Bess Armstrong) have been running a squid restaurant. The enterprise is unsuccessful to say the least. Nobody has the desire to eat squid kabobs or squid-on-a-stick. The menu needs a facelift in a big way. So, when a drifter named Gaston (Judd Nelson), who the couple has hired to sweep and tidy up the place, suggests fixing steak with his family recipe, business picks up. Fred and Erma are astounded by the thousands they’re making daily until they discover just what is Gaston’s secret ingredient. And no, it’s not the sauce.
Disc Two
“The New Arrival” – Original Airdate: July 25, 1992
David Warner plays child psychologist Dr. Alan Getz. An author and host of a radio call-in show, Getz overhears that his program is near the chopping block. The preceding program is a ratings giant while his ratings are plummeting fast. Fearing cancellation, Getz decides to pay a visit to one of his regular listeners, Nora (Zelda Rubinstein of Poltergeist), when she requests a house call. Arriving at her dilapidated house, Getz – his producer and the radio’s program director in tow – begins to question her sanity. It could be that she is impersonating a fictitious child who doesn’t even exist. His analysis is put into question when the program director (Joan Severance) is murdered in the attic. A chilling episode, that’s somewhat disturbing.
“Showdown” – Original Airdate: August 1, 1992
Richard Donner has a long storied career in Hollywood. From Superman to The Goonies he has helmed a number of different projects. He turns his talents to the small screen as he directs a story written by Oscar nominee Frank Darabont (The Shawshank Redemption). Two gunslingers have a falling out, and one chases the other into a desolate ghost town. Once the duel is finished, and one of the gunmen is no longer standing, the ghost town reveals itself to be inhabited. Only by the Casper variety. Somewhat predictable storytelling, Donner showcases his talents by capturing the Old West with clever cinematography.
“King of the Road” – Original Airdate: August 8, 1992
Child’s Play director Tom Holland predates the whole Fast and Furious fad with this story of a drag racing punk (Brad Pitt) who challenges an ex-speedster turned cop (Raymond J. Barry) to a race. Known simply as “Iceman”, this cop is stone-faced and doesn’t rattle easily. It isn’t until Pitt kidnaps his daughter that he agrees to the race. With the stakes raised the cop seeks retribution for what the punk has done. The episode is pretty straightforward in its setup, but it’s fun to see Brad Pitt before becoming famous or that whole Brangelina craze.
“Maniac at Large” – Original Airdate: August 19, 1992
The Crypt Keeper must have some friends downstairs, how else would he have gotten John Frankenheimer, legendary director of The Manchurian Candidate, to helm this episode. Blythe Danner plays Margaret a meek and pasty woman who works at a neighborhood library. Dealing with juvenile delinquents is the norm, but lately she has been obsessing over a serial killer on the loose. She begins to formulate theories and think of possible suspects. The killer is revealed one night when she gets stuck working overtime, well into the night. The ending is a bit of a shock but a great moment nonetheless. Compared to others, this episode is bolstered by the complexities of human psychology. Still, it retains the series’ tried and true sense of ghoulish humor.
“Split Personality” – Original Airdate: August 26, 1992
If it weren’t for Jerry Bruckheimer Joel Silver may be the most recognized movie producer in Hollywood. As it is, he has to be content knowing he became involved with television well before Bruckheimer gave us CSI, its many clones, and other police procedurals. I reference Silver because for this episode he left his executive producing duties and decided to get into the director’s chair. Continuing a running theme of con men and charlatans, Joe Pesci is Vic Stetson a two-bit crook who has a kinky obsession for twins. When a flat tire allows him to meet twin sisters, it seems too good to be true. He comes up with a plan that will allow him to be wealthy beyond his means. Bed the twins, wed the twins, and then kill the twins. What seems like an easy 1-2-3 doesn’t pan out, as the sisters know his scheme and look for payback. If you thought Pesci beat to a bloody pulp in Martin Scorsese’s Casino was rough, it’s nothing compared to what the twins have in store. The episode remains Joel Silver’s single directing effort.
“Strung Along” – Original Airdate: September 2, 1992
Donald O’Connor is an aging puppeteer who once had an award-winning variety program. He’s been out of the game for a long time, but when he receives word of a TV special that honors his Koko puppet character, he shows renewed interest. Needing help with a routine he takes on an assistant (Zach Galligan from Gremlins) who is a quick study in the art of puppetry. One day the assistant learns that his mentor’s wife, who is young and beautiful, is having an affair. He promises to take care of the problem, but the wife and her lover have a scheme of their own. If you find puppets scary, especially ones that look like clowns, this episode may rattle you a little. The eerie imagery overshadows the mediocre story and run of the mill performances.
Disc Three
“Werewolf Concerto” – Original Airdate: September 9, 1992
Where else can you see James Bond and Roger Rabbit in the same episode? Actually, they aren’t in character. Timothy Dalton plays Lokai, and is one of the guests staying at a woodland inn. Rumors spread that a werewolf is lurking in the forest nearby. Are they just rumors or is there more to the story? Never fear, Lokai is a werewolf hunter. How convenient. Dennis Farnia and Beverly D’Angelo are among the guests at the lodge. Wolfgang Puck appears as himself as the inn’s restaurant chef. Without the right cast, this episode could have been a disaster. The predictable ending aside, Dalton is intriguing as Lokai as is D’Angelo. Both characters have lingering secrets that ultimately are revealed in the final minutes.
“Curiosity Killed” – Original Airdate: September 16, 1992
Kevin McCarthy and Margot Kidder play an elderly couple that has been married for 45 years. The time spent together is losing its luster; so, they decide to go camping with another elderly couple – friends perhaps. Bickering back and forth, arguing about nothing, is what passes for love in the waning years. The intent of this camping trip was to find a fountain of youth out in the woods. The other elderly couple knows the location, but once they find it there’s a catch – isn’t there always? – when it comes to becoming young again. Sadly, the season ends in disappointment as this episode is not a spectacular one. The finale is decent, but the action leading up to it leaves little to be desired.
THE VIDEO
(Presented in 1.33:1 fullframe)
The episodes are presented in their original aspect ratio. Considering the age of the show, problems are present in the video transfer. Murky are some, but the colors aren’t faded and the skin tones look natural. Artifact issues and grain are apparent in each episode. This could be because Warner Brothers decides to break up the episodes 6-6-2 over the three discs. Why not 5-5-4 instead?
THE AUDIO
(English – Dolby Digital 2.0)
Along with the 2.0 Surround mix there’s optional subtitles available in English, French and Spanish. The sound won’t blow you away but is suitable for the content. Dialogue is clear and clean and free of distortion. The base levels are strong and the sound effects are mixed evenly well with the ominous background music, which includes Danny Elfman’s opening score.
SPECIAL FEATURES
You can find a commentary track on the “What’s Cookin'” episode with John Kassir in character as The Crypt Keeper, the episode’s writer Alan Katz, and Tales From the Crypt chronicler Digby Diehl. The discussion is lively and entertaining. Katz gives us insight on the show’s production. Diehl explains the episode’s theme as compared to other installments.
On the third disc is a featurette entitled The Stars of Season Four. Running roughly four minutes, the extra is merely a highlight reel of actors who made appearances during the fourth season. Still, with narration by The Crypt Keeper, it’s enough to keep you amused.
THE INSIDE PULSE
The video quality is lacking, but the subject matter is not. Season four of Tales From the Crypt is hit or miss – thankfully, more hits. You’ll relish the stories as you notice future stars and established pros. Episodes worth your time include “None but the Lonely Heart”, “On a Deadman’s Chest”, “What’s Cookin'”, “Maniac at Large”, and “Split Personality”. Each varies in degree and scares; some are about blood and guts while others explore the horrors of the mind. If you have fond memories of this show like I do, then pick up this season on DVD and have a good fright.
