Not long ago, TV worked very differently. Streaming was a thing of the future, and we relied on the carefully planned schedules of network and cable television broadcasts. New programming was exciting, of course, but TV also had the always beloved reruns. It was through these schedules that many horror fans became familiar with the roots of the genre, often represented in what “midnight horror” had to offer.
Not only did the formidable hosts present the B-movie and low-budget classics, but they also introduced new and lesser-known features that always met the rules of midnight programming. From the 1950s through the 1970s, horror fans only had these programs in order to access the offshoot corners of the genre, a side of cult horror whose loyal fan base has always stayed strong.
In the late ’80s, EC Comics icon William Gaines and Steven Dodd created a TV show that would revive the concept for modern audiences, except it was based on a different medium: comic books. Every week, the puppet character known as the Cryptkeeper offered a few clues about the story and, in midnight horror style, unveiled twisted tales that ranged from bizarrely original to hilariously creepy.
The TV anthology Tales from the Crypt adapted stories from the comic of the same name and other EC titles, such as The Vault of Horror. Backed by Hollywood giants such as Richard Donner and Robert Zemeckis, the HBO series presented horror-comedy stories under the umbrella of cable television, meaning there were virtually no limits. If you grew up in the 1990s, you knew how big a deal Tales from the Crypt was.
An All-Star Horror TV Anthology for the Ages
Every episode of Tales from the Crypt was preceded by one of the coolest opening sequences ever to appear on television, featuring a memorable horror score by Danny Elfman. After we entered what was obviously a haunted mansion, the Cryptkeeper welcomed us in with his signature laughter delivered by voice actor John Kassir. It was the perfect way to get in the mood for the bizarre HBO series.
The show was an anthology series, meaning every episode followed an entirely different story. While the creators and executive producers kept the narrative intact throughout the entire run, the show hosted the colorful visions of several Hollywood filmmakers working within the TV format. These included Tobe Hooper, William Friedkin, John Frankenheimer, Tom Holland, and Mary Lambert, among many others.
However, what always stands out is the formidable cast, considering it was a midnight horror series that not all established actors were willing to appear in. Tales from the Crypt featured appearances by Demi Moore, Brad Pitt, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Michael J. Fox, John Lithgow, and Tim Curry, among others. It’s hard to pick which episode was the best, but Season 5’s “Death of Some Salesmen,” starring Ed Begley Jr. and Curry (in a triple role), is an unforgettable TV horror experience.
Tales from the Crypt was far from the usual scripted HBO shows, which today air every Sunday in prime time. Instead, the show shifted between Saturday and Tuesday airings before settling near midnight — the perfect slot for its midnight-horror vibe and to reunite with the smart-mouthed Cryptkeeper.
How Is ‘Tales from the Crypt’ Not Back Yet?
Audiences are very different from what they were in the 1990s. Some material that was once accepted is now considered offensive, and changing social norms affect how shows are made. It’s obvious that bringing back Tales from the Crypt would only be possible after a full revision of its controversial tone. Then again, this doesn’t mean that the Cryptkeeper can’t be back with his signature snarky comments and hilarious swagger. He would only have to wisely select what he says before cackling.
Strangely, the show hasn’t been brought back for a modern revival. During the 2010s, there were some attempts, one of them reportedly involving M. Night Shyamalan. However, nothing came to fruition, apparently due to rights issues. Curiously, it isn’t clear whether these projects would have seen the return of the Cryptkeeper or involved the creatives behind the original. For now, we just have to stick with revisiting the series that ran from 1989 to 1996.
The problem is… we can’t. The licensing issues around the show have affected all streaming deals, and today, it’s virtually impossible to see the show if you’re not a physical media enthusiast. In 2017, the show received its only major collection that included all seven seasons. Nevertheless, this was only released on DVD, and the Cryptkeeper has yet to deliver his lines in high definition. Yes, the film spin-offs feature the iconic host, and these received decent releases, but fans still plead for a proper release of the cult series. Can you imagine a better option when planning a midnight horror marathon?
- Release Date
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1989 – 1996-00-00
- Network
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HBO
- Showrunner
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Gilbert Adler
- Directors
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Russell Mulcahy, Elliot Silverstein, Tom Holland, Gilbert Adler, Stephen Hopkins, Robert Zemeckis, Walter Hill, William Malone, Gary Fleder, Kevin Yagher, Howard Deutch, Rodman Flender, John Harrison, Randa Haines, Richard Greenberg, Robert Longo, Peter S. Seaman, Peter Medak, Roland Mesa, Rowdy Herrington, Roy Ward Baker, Andrew Morahan, Tobe Hooper, Steve Perry
- Writers
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Scott Nimerfro, Terry Black, Colman deKay, Mae Woods, Randall Jahnson, Scott Rosenberg, Rob Cohen, Robert Reneau, Ross Thomas, Scott Alexander, Teller, Stanley Ralph Ross, Richard Christian Matheson, Yale Udoff, Kim Steven Ketelsen, Shel Willens, Joe Minion, Richard Tuggle, A. Whitney Brown, Andrew Kevin Walker, Harry Anderson, Connie Johnson, Dick Beebe, Don Mancini
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John Kassir
Crypt Keeper (voice)
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Michelle Johnson
Liz Kelly-Dixon
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Sugar Ray Leonard
Gravedigger
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Ben Cross
Benjamin A. Polosky
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