Tales from the Crypt.

Review #1145: Tales from the Crypt.

Cast:
"...And All Through the House" segment: Joan Collins (Joanne Clayton), Martin Boddey (Richard Clayton), Chloe Franks (Carol Clayton), and Oliver MacGreevy (Homicidal Maniac)

"Reflection of Death" segment: Ian Hendry (Carl Maitland), Susan Denny (Mrs. Maitland), Angela Grant (Susan Blake), Peter Fraser (Motorist), and Frank Forsyth (Tramp)

"Poetic Justice" segment: Robin Phillips (James Elliot), David Markham (Edward Elliot), Peter Cushing (Arthur Edward Grimsdyke), and Robert Hutton (Mr. Baker) "Wish You Were Here" segment: Richard Greene (Ralph Jason), Barbara Murray (Enid Jason), and Roy Dotrice (Charles Gregory)

"Blind Alleys" segment: Nigel Patrick (Major William Rogers) and Patrick Magee (George Carter)

With Ralph Richardson (Crypt Keeper) and Geoffrey Bayldon (The Guide). Directed by Freddie Francis (#854 - They Came from Beyond Space, #856 - The Evil of Frankenstein, and #860 Dracula Has Risen from the Grave)

Review: 
Tales from the Crypt is an anthology film with five segments that are based on stories from EC Comics, which had done numerous horror comics in their three horror comic series - Tales from the Crypt, The Haunt of Fear, and The Vault of Horror (each created by Al Feldstein and William M. Gaines) from 1950 to 1955 before censorship pressure led to its end. It wasn't the first anthology film that Amicus Productions (founded by Max Rosenberg and Milton Subotsky) had been behind, as they had been behind films such as Dr. Terror's House of Horrors (1965), The House That Dripped Blood (1970), and a few others. A year later, they would be behind The Vault of Horror, which also was based on stories from the EC Comics line. In any case, the stories here are meant to feature someone facing ironic punishment through their wicked actions, with the Crypt Keeper (played by a hooded and yet somewhat eerie Richardson) showing up for the wraparound segments.

The segments are a bit uneven, but there is just enough that works to make a winner. To talk about the film, I'll just simply say what I thought about each segment in terms of entertainment quality, since they have their own respective actors and run-times. The first segment is named "...And All Through the House", featuring Collins alongside Martin Boddey, Chloe Franks, and Oliver MacGreevy. It's a decent little segment, with a little bit of terror generated from its setup (involving a maniac dressed up as Santa Claus), although it does manage to get a bit lost with the other parts. Collins doesn't have much to say, but at least she is someone we can follow along with in their terror and own fears, and the ending helps make it worth the effort. The second segment, named "Reflection of Death" features Hendry, Susan Denny, Angela Grant, and Peter Fraser. It is an okay segment with a bit of a simple premise, but it isn't really too memorable, having only one shot that makes it stick out - although it probably won't have as much effect upon a re-watch. The third segment is called "Poetic Justice", featuring Phillips, David Markham, and Cushing. It certainly takes time to get interesting, but it does manage to hold itself enough to warrant entertainment, and it is nice to see Cushing in a warm role that goes well against Phillips. The penultimate segment, titled "Wish You Were Here", is my least favorite segment, featuring Greene and Barbara Murray. It comes off as a tedious version of "The Monkey's Paw" while not really having a satisfying payoff. Honestly, I wonder why they included a story where the lead doesn't even do anything adversarial (is a ruthless businessman that bad when compared to murderers, abandoning your family, an exploiter of the blind, or driving a man to suicide?) to merit his ironic punishment - which is made especially weird since the other stories feature main characters who all do misdeeds. The last segment of "Blind Alleys" makes up for it with a strong foundation featuring Patrick, Magee, and George Herbert. It moves along at a fine pace while being chilling just enough to help carry the film to the finish line smoothly enough. On the whole, the movie does manage to work as entertainment in giving chills to its audience. This is done with enough competence and care generated from its screenplay by Subotsky and direction from Francis to go along with a mostly game cast that manages to overcome some uneven edges to make this a fair piece for the season.

Overall, I give it 7 out of 10 stars.