Monday, October 12, 2009

"Who's next?"




"Perhaps...you?"

I love anthology horror movies and Tales from the Crypt was the second such film to drive home this point for me. I had seen Creepshow at the 112 Drive-In at this point when I was able to catch Tales from the Crypt on TBS's Saturday morning horror show hosted by Grampa Munster.

It wasn't until years later that I was able to secure a VHS copy of this title and my love for it grew even more. You've got a stellar cast of British talent here, Peter Cushing, Sir Ralph Richardson, Ian Hendry, Richard Greene, and Barbara Murray.

The plot of the film is five strangers in a tour get separated from the rest of their group, finding themselves in a strange stone room where they are greeted by a mysterious Richardson, the Crypt Keeper. The Keeper asks each of the guests what they remember last...

The first tale entitled, ...And all through the House, stars Joan Collins and she does a most dastardly deed. Though even this deed pales in comparison to the evil that lurks outside the home on this Christmas Eve.

The second tale is entitled, Reflection of Death, and stars Ian Hendry. A man who decides to leave his wife and children to run off with his mistress has a little accident on the roadway.

The third tale entitled, Poetic Justice, stars Peter Cushing as an elderly retired rubbish collector. Unfortunately for him he comes under the wrath of two rich, snobbish neighbors who feel that he is a blight on their posh neighborhood. They then go about destroying anything that brings joy to Cushing's life...with supernatural results.

The Fourth tale is entitled, Wish you were Here, and finds Richard Greene and his wife, Barbara Murray facing absolute bankruptcy until they come into contact with a strange Chinese figurine that grants three wishes. This is a slight variation on the Monkey's Paw by W.W. Jacobs.

The Fifth and final tale entitled, Blind Alleys, stars Nigel Patrick as an overbearing and cruel retired Major who takes over the care for a home for blinded veterans. Patrick immediately cuts the budgets of the home, reducing the heat so much that one of the veterans dies on pneumonia. Nigel doesn't hold himself to those same standards though and lives a life of ease upon the pain for the blind men under his care. The veterans finally become fed up and decide to mete out justice as they see fit.

I apologize as I have given away more than I like to on these 'reviews' but perhaps this particular write up will have you readers putting Tales from the Crypt on your Netflix list.

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