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Tales from the Crypt

Plot

The phenomenon of Tales from the Crypt seems to have no endings, only changes. This successful pun-filled style of presenting ironic horror tales had its beginnings in William Gaine's E.C. comic series. At one time, outlandish E.C. Comics were at the heart of a national furor over the "evils" of comic books, which were thought to lead to moral degeneracy. The big comic-book publishers were frightened into freezing E.C. out of their distribution network, which killed the business. This British movie was based on the Tales from the Crypt series, which spawned several subsequent movies (and many imitators), at least one television series, and a whole new wave of comic books. Released in 1972, this movie has five episodes based on Gaines' stories, each introduced by Sir Ralph Richardson as the eerily cheery Crypt Keeper. His comedic approach to the role was misunderstood at the time, as reviewers expected a more solemn approach to horror. In "All Through the House," Santa Claus is someone to avoid. In "Reflection of Death" it takes some people a while to realize the truth about themselves. In "Poetic Justice" death cannot prevent one man's revenge. The episode "Blind Alley" demonstrates a new use for razor blades. "Wish You Were Here" cautions against taking native artifacts lightly (among other things). Among the stars featured are Peter Cushing, Joan Collins and Patrick Magee. ~ Clarke Fountain, Rovi

Review

Tales from the Crypt is certainly not a great horror film, but it has a certain magnetism about it that is hard to resist and which accounts for its enduring popularity. There's something about Crypt that makes even jaded viewers feel like they're kids sitting in their rooms late at night with the lights out, telling eerie tales with the aid of a flashlight. As with any anthology film, certain sections are stronger than others. With Crypt, the weaker stories are the 2nd and 4th, "Reflection of Death" and "Wish You Were Here." "Reflection" has little about it that is original, and though it's short, it still goes on a bit too long. "Wish" is a better piece, but it's failing is that it is essentially a rip-off of the better-known "The Monkey's Paw." Of the stronger pieces, "Poetic Justice" is the best, thanks in large part to a first rate and quite moving performance by Peter Cushing, as well as wonderfully smarmy support from Robin Phillips. Although the ending is over-the-top in a rather wonderful way, this piece has a melancholy lyricism to it that is quite special for the genre. "All Through the House" benefits from Joan Collins' bravura performance, as well as the admittedly sick allure of a homicidal Santa. "Blind Alley" goes on too long, but its memorable climax makes it well worth the wait, and it does feature some delicious overacting from Patrick Magee and Nigel Patrick. The wraparound sequences are enlivened by Ralph Richardson's tongue-in-cheek approach to the Crypt Keeper. ~ Craig Butler, Rovi

Cast

Geoffrey Bayldon - Guide; Carl Bernard - [Blind Alleys]; Martin Boddey - Clayton; Joan Collins - Joanne Clayton; Peter Cushing - Grimsdyke; Hugo de Vernier - [Blind Alleys]; Susan Denny - Mrs. Maitland; Roy Dotrice - Charles Gregory; Clifford Earl - Police Sergeant [Poetic Justice]; Edward Evans - Mr. Ramsay [Poetic Justice]; Chloe Franks - Daughter; Angie Grant - Susan; Richard Greene - Ralph Jason; Ian Hendry - Carl Maitland; Ernest Jennings - [Blind Alleys]; Harry Locke - Cook; Oliver Macgreevy - Maniac; Patrick Magee - George Carter; David Markham - Father; Barbara Murray - Enid Jason; Robin Phillips - James Elliott; Ralph Richardson - Crypt Keeper; Ann Sears - Mrs. Carter [Poetic Justice]; Hedger Wallace - Detective [Wish You Were Here]; Robert Hutton - Neighbour; Nigel Patrick - William Rogers; Frank Forsyth - Tramp [Reflection Of Death]; John Barrard - [Blind Alleys]; George Herbert - Old Blind Man [Blind Alleys]; Louis Mansi - Other Blind Men [Blind Alleys]; Tony Wall - Attendant [Blind Alleys]; Manning Wilson - Vicar [Poetic Justice]; Peter Thomas - Pallbearer [Wish You Were Here]

Credit

Tony Curtis - Art Director, Bridget Sellers - Costume Designer, Peter Saunders - First Assistant Director, Freddie Francis - Director, Teddy Darvas - Editor, Charles W. Fries - Executive Producer, Norman Warwick - Lighting, Douglas Gamley - Composer (Music Score), Douglas Gamley - Musical Direction/Supervision, Roy Ashton - Makeup, John Harris - Camera Operator, Norman Warwick - Cinematographer, Teresa Bolland - Production Manager, Max Rosenberg - Producer, Milton Subotsky - Producer, Helen Thomas - Set Designer, Norman Bolland - Sound/Sound Designer, William M. Gaines - Screen Story, Milton Subotsky - Screenwriter, Art Stolnitz - Production Supervisor, Johann Sebastian Bach - Featured Music, Al Feldstein - Short Story Author, Johnny Craig - Short Story Author

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