Given the diversity of the genre and the demanding nature of the fans it’s a wonder how tales of the crypt stood the test of time to remain the most thriving horror anthology series for years to come.
This dark comedic anthology series, based on the 1950s comic of the same name, was aired on HBO from 1989 to 1996. It spanned over 7 seasons and 93 episodes. The series gained much fanfare and pushed the boundaries of mainstream cinema by depicting nudity, violence, sexual content, and profane language.
Another reason for it to be so memorable is its host, The Crypt keeper a tiny, decayed man with a sharp sense of humor. As we prepare to celebrate the 32nd anniversary of this iconic series, let us revisit 13 of the most blood-curdling episodes that will give you nightmare. We hope you are ready for it.
The Ventriloquist’s Dummy
This was the 10th episode of the second season directed by Richard Donner and penned by Frank Darabont. This episode focuses on an aspiring ventriloquist Billy Goldman who wanted to imitate his idol Mr. Ingels, who was living in isolation after he left showbiz owing to a mysterious fire incident. Billy comes to know the dark secret behind his idols talent after he tracks him down.
Dummies can be pretty terrifying with their soulless eyes gazing in the void and their wooden mouths hung open however this episode brings these creatures back in a rather gory manner.
When we say gory, we are specifically talking about moments like a person’s arm being chopped off with a meat cleaver, or when a large mass of flesh bitten out of someone’s throat. There is more than a little blood spilled in this episode, which is good news for all the gorehounds out there!
Its brisk pace, solemn state, and touches of black humor combined with moments of gore make this episode a favorite among fans especially if you like evil puppets and mutant killer twins.
Tim Suhrstedt’s slick cinematography and Miles Goodman’s shuddery background score combine to make something truly unforgettable – mark our words when we say that this episode is worth your time, and even worth the nightmares that will follow.
Forever Ambergris
The third episode of the fifth season directed by Gary Fleder and penned by Scott Rosenberg from the Tales from the Crypt tops the horror list with its gore and gross. Roger Daltrey plays the role of the shady, burn-out war photographer Dalton Scott, who is losing his touch and would do literally anything to get it back.
The narrative revolves around how Dalton not only wishes to regain his former glory but also that he hankers after his protégé’s lover.
Rick Bota’s cinematography deserves a special mention for giving this episode a polished look. Fans of the Tales from the Crypt series will love how the compelling story moves at a steady pace, keeping the grim and gritty environment in check, and crisply exploring themes like jealousy, commitment, treachery and revenge. Jay Ferguson’s rousing musical score hits all the right chords leaving you wanting more.
An unforgettable moment would be the scene where Isaac had been infected in a germ-infested war zone as a result of which he starts decaying and his eye falls out. Not to mention the numerous bubbling and bursting veins, gushing blood, a falling nose (quite literally). This episode with its explicit gore might’ve been the most nauseating episode filled with gore, dark humor, and stunning visuals.
Television Terror
Directed by Charlie Picerni and Screenplay by Randall Jahnson and G. J Pruss, the 16th episode from the second season should definitely be on your watch list. The plot is premised on Horton Rivers, a sleazy Tabloid News anchor who wants to earn a big rating by conducting an on-air tour of a haunted mansion. Unfortunately for him he is soon faced with a horror that he wanted to mock.
The constant threat and sense of danger would keep the audience on the edge of their seats. Parallel to Horton’s investigation, gruesome flashbacks of the murders that had taken place there are shown acting as stupendous entertainment for horror lovers.
You are bound to gravitate towards this tale that picks its pace at lightning speed. The graphics range from bloodthirsty elderly ghosts to a chainsaw wielding entity Horton.
Dare we forget the part where Horton realizes he is not being filmed by his cameraman but by a ghost. The climax is undeniably explicit and brutal, featuring gruesome body horror detail and over the top slaughter. You name it and this episode has it.
On a more serious note, in its own way, this episode also shed light on the reality television culture so prevalent in modern society.
Highlighting the significant issues of mass media manipulation, clouding the lines between what is real and what is not, and displaying how momentary a thing fame truly is, Television Terror is a true classic of an episode, and one that is highly recommended too.
Death of Some Salesmen
Episode one of season 5 starts off with an expected gory bang. The seemingly quaint Brackett family appears to be quit odd, not to mention how they can’t refuse a bargain. Well, who knows this better than Judd Campbell?
Judd poses as a salesman trying to trick the elderly into buying non-existent cemetery plots. Unfortunately for Judd who chances upon the Brackett’s with the intention of tricking them, they are hardly impressed as this family is not new to the deceptive techniques of salesmen. If anything, they have a strange penchant for doing away with salesmen with the very tool they are trying to sell.
It goes without saying that as Campbell, Ed. Begley Jr. is a real treat to watch. However, Tim Curry as Ma Brackett, Pa Brackett, and their daughter Winona Brackett takes the cake with some aid from Todd Master’s exceptional makeup prowess. You may not know this, but actor Eddie Murphy was also offered this role, but he turned it down and we are so glad that he did.
Where does the episode rank on the gore-o-meter? There’s plenty of ghastly imagery, particularly of leftover parts of previous salesmen, and who on earth can forget that truly horrifying sex sequence? Winona mounting Judd like a walrus is bound to crack you up, but only initially. As the scene progresses you might want to visit the bathroom given how disgusting it becomes.
While John R. Leonetti’s cinematography definitely deserves commendation, as does Michael Kamen’s folksy musical score, full credit must go to director Gilbert Adler, who also co-wrote the script with A. L. Katz. Together, they deliver one hell of a surprise twist ending. You just cannot miss this one out, do give it a shot!
And All Through the House
Directed by Robert Zemeckis and written by Fred Dekker the second episode of the first season is definitely worth a mention. And All Through the House might just take the title of the best episode in the series despite a great season throughout.
The plot is riveting with Mary Ellen Trainor as a greedy, philandering wife who murders her own husband, Marshall Bell as her husband, and even to Larry Drake as the creepy ax-wielding Santa, one with a particular affinity for slaughtering women.
This episode should get credit for its fast moving plot given how few seconds in, the audience witness a brutal murder. The ominous stalking sequences coupled with suspense and twists embedded throughout the narrative are bound to make you nervous.
The episode captures the quintessential essence of classic Christmas cheer, through beautiful pictoresque shots drenched in festive spirit. Highly decorated trees, roaring fires and the holy music playing in the background – everything gives a sense of warm security but alas, this doesn’t last for long.
Dean Cundey’s cinematography combines with Alan Silvestri’s unnerving, rousing score to further uplift the ghoulish tale.
Watch this entry for its ending, one that is without a doubt exceedingly satisfying.
Cutting Cards
The third episode of the second season revolves around a pair of hardcore gamblers, Sam and Reno, who take their game seriously and have been after each other for years. They challenge each other to a simple game of cards unaware of how it would turn deadlier than they had ever expected.
Directed and co-written by Walter Hill, Cutting Cards moves along at a slick pace with commendable performances by Kevin Tighe and Lance Henriksen. The events of this episode are beyond insane. You want hardcore?
Well, that is exactly what you get here. Finger are severed and cooked, and even after that these guys just won’t stop. You really won’t believe what you are seeing. Do believe us when we say that this episode will keep you glued to your seats.
Just 20 minutes from your busy schedule is all it will take to enjoy this dark, twisted ride.
Four-Sided Triangle
Remember the opening segment where The Cryptkeeper said and we quote, ‘a story of love and lurid lust in the dust’? Well, that is exactly what this episode – the 9th episode of the second season – is all about.
Directed and co-written by Tom Holland, the plot revolves around young runaway Mary Jo, who is held captive on an isolated country farm by the lewd George Yates and his equally vicious wife, Luisa. Mary Jo appears to have lost her mind when she claims that the scarecrow in the field is alive and that she is in love with him.
The strong and despotically grim rural setting holds the viewer’s attention. And yes, you have guessed it, there are a couple of ghastly scenes involving pitchfork impalement. But then again, the deaths are pretty satisfying.
After all, bad things happen to bad people and both George and Luisa are dreadful people, who probably deserved much worse that what they got.
The crisp cinematography by Paul Elliott deserves a mention, as does Scott Johnson’s musical score. True, there is not much gore here compared to other episodes, but then again, an ingeniously ambiguous twist pulls the story together in a climactic regard. Do not miss out on this guilty pleasure!
What’s Cookin’
Directed and co-written by Gilbert Adler, the 6th episode of the fourth season has just the right amount of gore for us, with some morbid black humor thrown in for good measure, and some familiar faces playing unusual roles.
This episode features the late Christopher Reeve as an unsuccessful restaurant owner with a huge debt to pay off and almost no customers wanting to purchase his squid-based dishes. However, things change after a drifter and part-time bus boy walks in with his own steak recipe.
In case you haven’t guessed yet where these delicious steaks come from, you might want to skip this episode. A deliciously gruesome tale of cannibalistic urges, the episodes moves along at a perfect pace, adding a hint of dark humor and a generous amount of gore.
A particularly horrifying scene would be the landlord’s mutilated body in the freezer and let’s not forget that scene where someone cuts off a large chuck of flesh with a cleaver. This tale really ups in the ante when it comes to gore.
It was an absolute treat to watch Reeve sharing the screen with Rock & Roll star Meatloaf and 80’s icon Judd Nelson. Full credits to Adler, for making perfect use of the wit of each of the leads and for giving to the episode such a satisfying ending.
Carrion Death
Written and Directed by Steven E. de Souza, the second episode of the third season is pretty much a common tale of terror spun around a mass murderer called Diggs, who is on the run, fleeing towards the Mexican border across the Arizona desert. He is pursued by a cop on a motorcycle until it is wrecked in a crash with Diggs.
Nevertheless he continues his chase on foot. Eventually Diggs does kill off the cop but not before he handcuffs himself with Diggs and swallowing the keys to the cuffs. Now Diggs must drag along the dead cop with himself while a hungry vulture awaits to strike.
It goes without saying that the vulture in the episode is an obvious depiction of the forthcoming presence of death. The vast, barren desert effortlessly creates an isolating, uncomfortable sense of doom.
The pictorial view literally plays with your mind; you can actually feel the heat, dirt and weight of the corpse that Diggs is dragging along. Watch out for the gory ending; trust us when we say that you really don’t want to miss the scene where the vulture plucks out Diggs’ eye and starts eating him.
We highly recommend that you give this atmospheric tale of fate and revenge a shot.
Mournin’ Mess
Mournin’ Mess is the 10th episode of the second season featuring a journalist that wants to solve the case of a string of homeless people getting murdered across the city. But what he fails to understand is the conspiracy behind the murders, and just how deep it goes.
Penned and directed by Manny Coto , Mournin’ Mess boasts a couple of macabre killings, a dark sense of humor and a delightfully satisfying twist in the final act, one that is bound to keep your eyes glued to the screen. If you’re hoping for gore, there’s a lot on display here, including severed limbs, mutilated corpses, ripped off ears, and a hell of a lot of blood splatter.
The set design definitely deserves a shoutout; from the clandestine tunnels below the cemetery to the macabre and chic dining room, everything compounds to create a highly unsettling vibe.
Also, with big names like Steven Weber, Rita Wilson, Ally Walker and the late Vincent Schiavelli , the episode showcases excellent star power, giving you all the more reason to make sure you watch.
Split Second
The eleventh episode of the third season directed by Russell Mulcahy and written by Richard Christian Matheson, centers around a beautiful waitress who ties the knot with the owner of a lumberjack company, but soon comes to the realization that he is not what she really wants.
Things begin to turn bitter, especially in the bedroom, and eventually the wife becomes extremely bored. Favoring promiscuity, she decides to seek excitement by seducing a new, handsome, young lumberjack. The insanely jealous husband in a fit of rage blinds the man, though they soon realize that what goes around, definitely comes around.
Couple together the bang on pitch black humor with Brian May’s shivery score and Rick Bota’s cinematography, and this episode work wonders. One of the best things about this tale is the late Brion James, as the psychotically jealous lumberjack husband simply stealing the show with his raged-up role.
The engrossing episode not only maintains a consistently brisk pace but also provides some exotic visuals of the country backdrop. Split Second might not exhibit a lot of gore compared to the other Tales From the Crypt episodes, but there is an abundance of swearing, an appetizing topless scene and of course some blood splatter caused by a chainsaw.
We will leave the rest to your imagination but we sincerely request you do not miss out the over-the-top gross ending. Mark our words, it is notably satisfying!
Undertaking Palor
The ninth episode of the third season is premised on group of four adventurous teenage boys break into a local morgue as part of a prank but stumble upon a devilish conspiracy of murder and greed. Apparently, the town’s local mortician and the pharmacist have joined forces to increase the weekly number of funerals, and split the profits.
However, when one of the boys’ father dies from poisoned asthma medicine, the courageous teen squad decide to take the law into their own hands and expose the dastardly duo for their fiendish crimes.
This episode boasts an ingenious premise and overloads on macabre fun. Remember the scene where the mortician casually smashes the face of a corpse and then eats pizza over a cut-open chest?
If that is not enough, how about when the same guy listens to opera music and continues his gory job? Undertaking Palor features an abundance of effectively gross and ghastly instances of graphic gore, something that will be a sheer treat for all the horror hounds out there.
The prevailing sense of dread inevitably makes this episode a winner, director Michael Thau and writer Ron Finley should be congratulated on crafting something so brilliant. Also, thanks to Nicholas Pike for that shuddery background score. Watch it to experience it yourself!
Abra Cadaver
Nothing could have stopped Martin Fairbanks from becoming a top-class surgeon, had his brother Carl not played a stupid prank on him years ago. Cut to present, Martin is just a research assistant and detests his brother, who turned out to be a successful surgeon.
It goes without saying that Martin wants revenge, and is also looking for a chance to prove the success of his research, which revolves around the human brain. It’s too late for Carl to do anything about it as his brother mixes his personal and professional goals – you can imagine how unsettling the end result might be.
Directed by Stephen Hopkins and written by Jim Birge, the 4th episode of the third season effortlessly pulls off a brilliantly appropriate Crypt ending. Do believe us when we say that this episode is traumatic, bone chilling and gory, and is quite capable of bringing back your worst nightmares.
Abra Cadaver is one of those episodes that not only creeps up on you but also grabs you and refuses to let go even after the tale is over. You have to thank Alan Silvestri’s moody background score for that!
The mind-blowing performances by the two leads – Beau Bridges as Martin and Tony Goldwyn as Carl – also deserve a lot of credit, and it’s weirdly satisfying to watch Bridges bring such sadistic relish to his role. The episode is hell bent on making you squirm, so give it a shot right away and you can always thank us later!