TALES FROM THE CRYPT

TALES FROM THE CRYPT-United Kingdom/United States-1972

Joan Collins as Joanne Clayton (“All Through the House”)

Ian Hendry as Carl Maitland (“Reflection of Death”)

Peter Cushing as Arthur Edward Grimsdyke (“Poetic Justice”)

Robin Phillips as James Elliot (“Poetic Justice)

Roy Dotrice as Charles Gregory (“Wish You Were Here”)

Richard Greene as Ralph Jason (“Wish You Were Here”)

Barbara Murray as Enid Jason (“Wish You Were Here”)

Nigel Patrick as Maj. William Rogers (“Blind Alleys”)

Patrick Magee as George Carter (“Blind Alleys”)

Directed by Freddie Francis

Screenplay by Milton Subotsky

Based on comic book stories written by Johnny Craig, Al Feldstein and William M. Gaines

Hello, I suppose you are wondering why you’re here. You were probably clicking on your way to some favorite site when all of a sudden your mouse developed a mind of its own and now here you are. Are you sure you aren’t meant to be here? Let’s take a look at five tales about people who though they were supposed to be somewhere else; but in reality they were right where they belonged. Oh, and never mind that guy in the hood. That’s just the crypt keeper. Don’t worry about him. Worry about me.

“And All Through the House”

We begin our journey with a little tale of Christmas jeer. Joanne Clayton (Joan Collins) has been a bad girl for the holidays. She’s gone so far as to murder her husband in cold blood to collect the insurance. That’s alright; Santa Claus is coming to see her tonight. With his beady eyes, strong hands and homicidal disposition he should be able to give Joanne exactly the kind of present a bad girl like her deserves.

There, now wasn’t that a fun little way to get things started? Joan Collins can be hard to swallow at times with her lack of acting chops; but she played the victim quite well, don’t you think? Just for that we’ll give this first tale .

“Reflection of Death”

Oh, now isn’t that special? First we had the story of a murderer and now we continue with the tale of an adulterer. Ian Hendry stars as Carl Maitland; a man who kisses his wife, says goodbye to his children and runs to a new life with his beautiful mistress. Too bad there’s oncoming traffic on the road to thwart his plans. Have you seen Carl lately? He’s just not the same anymore.

Okay, you can see the ending to that one from a mile away. Those dream within a dream sequences are a dime a dozen. That was a good delivery, but a bad twist.  for this one.

“Poetic Justice”

Poor Mister Grimsdyke. He’s such a nice old man. He’s kind to animals and the children just adore him. But there are some people in this world that are just plain greedy and mean. James Elliot is just such a man. He wants to drive Mister Grimsdyke out of town and instead he drives him to an early grave. A year passes and James tries to feel guilty, but his heart’s just not in it. What am I saying? His heart’s not in anything.

Two words: Peter Cushing. Whether he played a good guy, a bad guy, a hero or a heel he was always a joy.  for this tale of greed and justice.

“Wish You Were Here”

Do you remember the story “The Monkey’s Paw“? It’s a cautionary tale about being careful about what you wish for. Enid (Barbara Murray) wished for lots of money and her husband Ralph (Richard Greene) was killed in a horrible auto accident. His insurance policy made her a wealthy woman; but she wanted her husband. So she wished him back alive for ever and ever. There’s only one little catch.

“The Monkey’s Paw” has been told a thousand different times in a thousand different ways. This version is decent, but that’s really all it is. 

“BLIND ALLEYS”

Never under any circumstances underestimate the power of the blind. Maj. William Rogers (Nigel Patrick) did exactly that at a home for the blind. First he cut the heat. Then the food. So George (Patrick Magee) and the rest of the men got even. First they got the Major’s dog, then they got the Major. Next came the razor blades.

Here is a tale that sets out to prove that H.G. Wells was wrong. The one-eyed man is not king in the kingdom of the blind. So heed my warning and be nice to the blind. If you don’t, you just might end up like Major Rogers. We’ll give this tale a high rating of ½.

So there you have it. We all know why they were here. We all know where they are headed. What about you, my friend? Where are you headed?

TRIVIA

Peter Cushing is said to “act as himself” in this movie: Cushing’s wife had died recently and he was very depressed; while Cushing’s character is a widower who uses a Ouija to talk with his dead wife.

Ralph Richardson filmed his major role in a day.

Robert Zemeckis has said this is his favorite movie to watch on Halloween since it was released. he later produced a HBO show based off the comic series and directed the first episode, which was also the first story in the movie.

Stephen King and George A. Romero considered remaking this movie together. Their work together resulted in a completely separate but similar film, Creepshow.

Overall Rating: 

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