The Best of Tales From the Darkside Season 2

Season one was successful enough that TALES FROM THE DARKSIDE could haunt viewers for another year. Much of the same filmmakers returned as did the atmosphere and resemblance in the types of stories. It being a syndicated show, the producers and filmmakers were able to have much greater freedom than they would have had a major network. Season two brought another set of 24 episodes, produced simultaneously at two different production houses on the East and West Coast. At the time, Laurel Entertainment had a very ambitious slate, using DARKSIDE as a springboard to launch their stable of filmmakers into feature films. Few of their proposed theatrical features came to fruition--they failed to resurrect Dr. Phibes for a third time, while CREEPSHOW 2 crept onto theater screens in 1987. Regardless, season two was another success, with a little more polish than its debut season.

SEASON 2

Parlour Floor Front (originally aired October 20th, 1985)

"If I am responsible for this thing... let me be cursed. If another is responsible for this thing... let THEM be cursed."

Linda and her husband Doug have recently bought an old apartment house with a beautiful parlor room. Spending a ton of money to remodel the entire building, they've managed to peaceably evict the remaining tenants save for one named Mars Gillis, the kindly janitor who has lived there before they purchased the building. Occupying the best room in the house, Mars doesn't wish to move. The couple can't force him out due to rent control laws. Linda wants Mars gone and devises a despicable scheme to get rid of him. A practicing voodoo priest, Linda's actions have grave consequences.

The second, and best, of Richard Friedman's DARKSIDE tales is an effective voodoo story with an ending reminiscent of the folktale 'The Golden Arm'--substituting a ring for the gold-plated limb. The scenario likewise recalls the absolutely terrifying closer in Mario Bava's classic triple threat, THE THREE FACES OF FEAR (BLACK SABBATH in the US) from 1963. Ernest Dickerson (having been with the series since season 1), later to become a director in his own right, was the DP.

Tragically, Adolph Caesar would die from a heart attack on the set of the Disney feature, TOUGH GUYS (1986) on March 6th, 1986--roughly five months after this episode debuted. He was only 52 years old. One of his two daughters, Tiffani Caesar, plays a young lady (she was only 15 at the time) who comes to Mars for a love spell. Adolph Ceasar's unique, gravely voice graced a number of 70s Drive-in and exploitation movie trailers including KARATE WARRIORS (1976) and DAWN OF THE DEAD (1978).

Halloween Candy (originally aired October 27th, 1985)

Grumpy Mr. Killup hates Halloween; and if there's one thing Mr. Killup hates more than Halloween it's trick r' treaters. After refusing his son's wishes to hand out candy, the old man is tormented the rest of the night by a nasty goblin creature doling out tricks and treats of its own.

It's a shame Tom Savini couldn't have directed a lot more DARKSIDE shows. He helmed three of them and this, his second, is another stellar example of the series. It's a particularly nasty segment that ends on a satisfyingly disturbing note. The scenes of roaches scurrying around in the house recall the fifth story in CREEPSHOW (1982). Savini was responsible for the Makeup FX, assisted by Ed French. Among the FX crew are Howard Berger and Gregory Nicotero, future founders (along with Robert Kurtzman) of KNB EFX Group in 1988.

In Fangoria #48 from October 1985, it is reported that Tyler Smith (GEEK MAGGOT BINGO monster maker) contributed a full-body goblin costume for this episode although he's not billed in the end credits.

The Devil's Advocate (originally aired November 10th, 1985)

"I been listenin' to you for a long time. You call yourself 'The Devil's Advocate'. Well you sound more like the Devil himself. I hope everybody stops listenin' to you, and I hope people start callin' in! And you have to just sit there, wherever you are, and rot till the end of time!!!" 

The abrasive talk radio host Luther Mandrake, The Devil's Advocate, is on air at midnight. Hated by many of his listeners, Mandrake is in rare form on this particular night. With each aggressive rant Mandrake begins to change; his physical form taking on the frustration and rage building up inside of him. It isn't long before Mandrake finds himself in his own private Hell.

George Romero penned this psycho-supernatural creeper directed by Michael Gornick (CREEPSHOW 2 [1987]). In it, comedian Jerry Stiller is a one-man-show as the overbearing Mandrake, a man who barks at his callers and belittles them with aplomb. Masterfully handled for the duration, Romero's piece recalls another devilish DJ from an old NIGHT GALLERY episode, 'The Flip Side of Satan' starring Arte Johnson. With their low budgets and short shooting schedules, TALES had a lot of episodes with limited sets and cast; this is one of the best examples of surpassing limited resources. The story and its twist has been done dozens of times, and Gornick's effort is a highlight of the form.

A New Lease On Life (originally aired January 26th, 1986)

"You take care of the St. George, and the St. George will take care of you."

Mr. Archie Fenton has just moved into the St. George apartment building. At just $200 a month, Mr. Fenton can't figure out why it's so cheap; at least not till after he meets his kooky landlord, Madam Angler. Fenton signed a lifetime lease, and with it, a bunch of bizarre rules he eventually breaks. Once his neighbor, Ms. Tanner disappears, Fenton begins to notice what it is about the St. George building that makes it special.

One of the most enjoyable of the blackly humorous TALES, it's also one of the most unconventional within the DARKSIDE universe. This episode operates within a world outside of anything remotely normal. For example, Fenton questions the bizarre things he sees (the building shaking; blood pouring from the walls when he tries to hang a picture; wine pouring from the faucet as opposed to water), but then he shrugs them off. If director John Strysik had played it entirely straight, it wouldn't have worked. A Lovecraftian take on 'St. George and the Dragon', Harvey Jacob's teleplay isn't keen on explanations so much as it is about incidentals. Madam Angler and her two stooges are a peculiar, motley trio bearing an unmentioned, and ornate, tattoo of a dragon; the same dragon adorns patches on their clothes and even a book of matches. A subplot dealing with an equally unstable neighbor, like everything else at the St. George, does little to get a rise out of Mr. Fenton--the cheapness of the rent is just too much to pay attention at the over-powering weirdness going on around him. The twist at the end (which you'll see coming very early on) isn't hard to digest.

Printer's Devil (originally aired February 6th, 1986)

Junior Harmon, a struggling writer, gets the chance at the success that has eluded him when an eccentric publisher named Alex Kellaway makes him an offer at stardom.... it only requires animal sacrifices for him to succeed.

Frequent Romero collaborator John Harrison both wrote the teleplay and directed this darkly humorous tale of soul-selling and devil-dealing. This scenario comes up a few times in this series; Harrison's go at the material is the quirkiest take of those. There's light humor dotting the episode, yet, unlike other entries with comedy (and there's lots of them), it never circumvents the eeriness prevalent throughout. The shocker twist at the end is a striking change of pace for the familiar material.

If Larry Manetti looks familiar to Drive-in fans that's because he was among the cast in the Filipino exploit-actioner SUDDEN DEATH (1977) starring Robert Conrad, Don Stroud and Felton Perry. Mainstreamers will know him best as Rick on MAGNUM PI (1980-1988). Charles Knapp is a delight as the jovially off-kilter fat man whose contracts bring great wealth and fame to those who sign, but the Devil is in the details.

The Last Car (originally aired February 23rd, 1986)

Stacey, a young lady traveling home the day before Thanksgiving, awaits the train in the dead of night. Once aboard, she finds the last car mostly empty save for three curious occupants.

It's refreshing when you come across a DARKSIDE show that is pure horror with nary a funny moment in sight. The gloomy entries are outnumbered by the darkly comical ones--possibly one way of getting around having to tone it down even with the freedom provided by the program's syndication model. 'The Last Car', as predictable as it is, unsettles the viewer from the first frame to the last.

It's a shame John Strysik didn't go on to a bigger career as a director; he was one of the most consistent in his TALES FROM THE DARKSIDE episodes. Michael McDowell wrote a healthy amount of DARKSIDE's best, including this funereal story that has been well represented elsewhere, particularly the original TWILIGHT ZONE (1959-1964). This is the third example of Strysik's work in this 4-part 'Best Of' series.

Strange Love (originally aired May 11th, 1986)

"My name is Edmund Alcott. I was born in the same year as your country... 1776. My wife and I are vampires. Creatures of the night. Forever undead!"

Doctor Carrol is brought to the home of Edmund Alcott to see to his wife, Marie's, injured leg. Unknown to him, his late-night clients are vampires. Enslaved by his captors, Marie takes a liking to more than the doctor's blood.

Erotic thrillers exploded in the 1990s after the success of such films as FATAL ATTRACTION (1987) and BASIC INSTINCT (1992). Outside of BODY HEAT (1981) and BODY DOUBLE (1984), the sub-genre wasn't prolific in the 1980s. This edition of TALES is an example of small screen erotica but with vampires. Theodore Gershuny's fourth of five directed episodes is terribly anachronistic--the setting is supposed to be 1935 yet the decor looks 1980s--but is bolstered by some savvy lighting and Edithe Swensen's sexy script. Unlike the usually downbeat erotic template it's following, things only go badly for one character.

An early role for Marcia Cross, the stunningly beautiful actress later found fame in MELROSE PLACE (1992-1997) and DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES (2004-2012). In 1989, she played Rebecca Howe's sister, a horror movie actress, in a great episode of CHEERS, 'Sisterly Love'. Likewise, this was an early role for Patrick Kilpatrick; especially in that he's playing the role of a victimized hero. Making his feature-film debut in THE TOXIC AVENGER (1984), he was perfect for the many bad guy roles he would undertake.

TALES of Missed Opportunities: There's Something About Mary....

The Trouble With Mary Jane (originally aired November 24th, 1985)

"I am not Mary Jane. I am Aisha Candisha, and I do not want any chicken soup! I want men's souls to eat!"

A husband and wife team of palm readers try to pass themselves off as exorcists to land $50,000... if only they can rid Mary Jane's body of Aisha Candisha, a man-eating, goat-footed, soul-stealing demon. Fumbling their way through the process, Jack and Nora Mills complicate matters when they summon an additional demon named Gads, a male demon who immediately butts horns with Aisha.

The first full-fledged comedy episode of season two benefits heavily from the casting of Tierney and Diller. Directed by T.J. Castronovo, it's a spoof of THE EXORCIST (1973); and the first of ten episodes written by Edithe Swensen. You'll get an occasional giggle here and there, but the scenario grows stale before its predictable finish. Tanya Fenmore (from Spielberg's segment in TWILIGHT ZONE: THE MOVIE [1983]) is the possessed Mary Jane in an over the top performance worthy of a silent movie.

TALES of Missed Opportunities: Grin and Bear It

Ursa Minor (originally aired December 1st, 1985)

For her birthday, little Susie receives a stuffed Teddy Bear; but this isn't any ordinary stuffed animal. Containing an evil ursine spirit, strange things begin to occur around the house prompting Susie's mother to try and dispose of the toy.

Theodore Gershuny, the director of SILENT NIGHT, BLOODY NIGHT (1972), wrote and directed this mildly engaging segment. There's a bit more human drama than normal--Susie's dad is an alcoholic and her mother's struggles are close to paying off; only things are complicated by a stuffed animal harboring a malevolent force. Even with the eerie music and sound effects, it's difficult to make Teddy Ruxpin scary. The horror is ratcheted up for a ferocious finish when the bear goes on a mini-rampage. One of the more frightening finales in this series, only it's preceded by 20 minutes of tepidness.

With the sunrise, we close the coffin on our look back at season two. More dark delights are found in season three. "Until next time, try to enjoy the daylight!"

Tales of Halloween (2015) review

TALES OF HALLOWEEN

Directed by (various)

Adrienne Barbeau (Radio DJ), Daniel DiMaggio (Mikey), Hunter Smit (Sweet Tooth), Caroline Williams (Mrs. Blake), Barry Bostwick (Mr. Abbadon), Marcus Eckert (Billy), Tiffany Shepis (Maria), Mia Page (Girl Witch), Alex Essoe (Lynn), Lin Shaye (Lynn's Mother), Liesel Hanson (Mary Bailey), Barbara Crampton (Witch), Lisa Marie (Victorian Widow), Mick Garris (The Phantom), Stuart Gordon (Sherlock Holmes), Pollyanna McIntosh (Bobbie), Marc Senter (Jack), Felissa Rose (Parent), Ben Woolf (Rusty Rex), John Landis (Jebediah Rex), Keir Gilchrist (The Stranger), Grace Phipps (Alice), Dana Gould (Boris), James Duval (Dante), Amanda Moyer (Dorothy), Nick Principe (Masked Killer), Kristina Klebe (Det. McNally), Greg McLean (Ray Bishop), Cerina Vincent (Ellen Bishop), Joe Dante (Prof. Milo Gottleib)

The Short Version: Lots of tricks but only a handful of treats are found in this mixed bag of candy contributed by 11 directors spinning tales of various ghouls, demonic forces and killer pumpkins raising hell and causing Halloween havoc for a suburban community. The segments range from riotously inventive (Friday the 31st) to the painfully mundane (The Ransom of Rusty Rex). Adrienne Barbeau is the radio disc jockey narrating the night of horror. There's a reliance on dark comedy as opposed to generating genuine fear so be prepared for more snickers than scares. The few pure examples of horror are among the most successful in this tote sack of sweets. Not quite as tasty as 2007s TRICK R' TREAT, but a lively holiday addition that's ripe for becoming an annual tradition.

Halloween and the many facets that make it such a memorable holiday is the central theme in this multi-directed anthology movie. Known as The October Society, each of the eleven filmmakers of that club cover very different subjects all surrounding the holiday. Some involve legends; some are about trick r' treating; some about decorating for the big night; and others spoof the holiday's mascot, the Jack-o'-lantern. Then there's the candy. There's candy everywhere. Aside from dressing up, obtaining candy was the big payoff after going house to house, coming home and digging in to the various mini-candy bars and assorted sweets... except for the fruit; the occasional apple or orange was the last item we ate if we ate it at all.

As a celluloid celebration of Halloween, TALES does a fantastic job paying tribute. The cult favorite TRICK R' TREAT (2007) surely was an influence on the picture; there's even overlapping characters, although the device isn't as successfully implemented as in Michael Dougherty's movie; nor do all the stories intersect into a single narrative. The connecting device in TRICK R' TREAT is Sam, a seemingly innocuous trick r' treater. In TALES, the constant is a DJ played by Adrienne Barbeau--introducing each story with the same sexy delivery of her Stevie Wayne character from THE FOG (1980). You only see her face once during the superlative, animated opening credits sequence; the rest of the time you only hear her voice on the soundtrack doing intro for each segment.

The storyline is similar to TRICK, dealing with a suburban neighborhood where all sorts of evil is let loose for one night out of the year, October 31st. Alas, TALES, despite its variance in storytelling, isn't quite as good as TRICK.

As polished as TALES is, not every segment is a winner. Out of the lot, there's only two duds and only three that are pure horror. For whatever reason, the bulk of the stories favor funny business. Nearly every aspect of Halloween is covered save for the dark side, the urban legend side of the holiday. Possibly a future installment will feature a tale or two in that direction.

The following are individual reviews of the ten shorts.

SWEET TOOTH (10:55)

Directed by Dave Parker

Mikey loves Halloween. Mikey also eats everything (Mikey is also dressed as Snake Plissken). He's so overcome with sugary joy his babysitter's boyfriend tells him the 50 year old legend of Sweet Tooth about a boy named Timothy Blake who loved Halloween. Unfortunately, every Halloween his parents torture him by not allowing him to eat any of the candy he brought home. Legend has it, Sweet Tooth's evil spirit haunts neighborhoods to snag as much candy as possible... even candy you've already eaten.

This is your typical garden-variety slasher tale that's a solidly spooky way to kick things off. Surprisingly, Parker's candy-coated nougat number is one of the few genuinely sinister segments in this movie. There's a refreshingly unique implementation of Halloween hallmark NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD (1968) and an homage to a jump scare from EXORCIST III: LEGION (1990). Caroline Williams (TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE 2 [1986]) plays Timmy's mother. Watch for the Carpenter Candy Bar!

THE NIGHT BILLY RAISED HELL (08:35)

Directed by Darren Lynn Bousman

Billy is out Trick r' Treating with his sister and her annoying boyfriend. In trying to play a joke on Billy, he's told to egg the crotchety next door neighbor's house since it's a holiday tradition. Reluctant to do so, Billy complies but is captured by the owner Mr. Abbadon who turns out to be the Devil. Old Scratch then informs Billy he's going to show him what a real prank on Halloween really is.

Sadly, the first casualty of this terror-ible ten comes from the usually reliable Darren Lynn Bousman; casualty in that it loses momentum built by the opener--nosediving into silly comedy. It's a potentially hot story with a lukewarm execution, but one that is salvaged by some striking photographic shots. There's a nice trick at the end where the Devil pulls one over on the audience; otherwise it's a modestly disappointing, darkly comical entry with an unnecessarily mean-spirited streak. One of a few middling shorts, the bear trap gag is funny, though. 

Barry Bostwick is unrecognizable as The Devil; and Adrianne Curry plays herself.

TRICK (07:56)

Directed by Adam Gierasch

Four adults enjoy Halloween Night handing out candy and watching horror movies till they're visited by four malicious, murderous Trick r' Treaters.

The second serious story of the ten presented is easily the most grotesque of the bunch. It's an unnerving, killer kid entry with a nasty twist in the tail. Disturbing from beginning to end with a few truly unpleasant deaths, it's well worth viewing and one of the best segments. NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD (1968) is playing on the TV again; and the way it's weaved into the narrative mirrors its usage in the first story. Gierasch pulls off an impressive addition in just under 10 minutes. Stunner Tiffany Shepis is among the cast victims.

THE WEAK AND THE WICKED (08:55)

Directed by Paul Solet

An evil teen gang of three cutthroats harass other kids on Halloween but meet their match when they run across a young adolescent whose parents they murdered several years prior.

Remember when you'd go Trick r' Treating and you'd get a lot of good stuff in your bag like Snickers, Caramel Creams and Candy Corn? Then you'd get the occasional item that was good for you like an apple or orange? Well, 'The Weak and the Wicked' is the apple or orange. You'll still eat it but it will be the last item you digest out of your haul. Aside from a kid scarfing down candy there's nothing recognizable about the holiday in this installment. Visually compelling, it combines a heavy Italian western ambiance with a touch of THE WARRIORS (1979). A revenge-based horror theme, a last-minute demon-summoning brings this curio to an end.

GRIMM GRINNING GHOST (07:47)

Directed by Axelle Carolyn

A group of adult friends gather for a night of spooky stories on Halloween night; one of which details the legend of Mary Bailey, a disfigured woman who brings death to those who gaze upon her frightful visage. After Lynn leaves her mom's Halloween get-together, her car breaks down. Walking the rest of the way home, she isn't alone as something follows her.

The scariest short is reminiscent of those campfire ghost stories you used to hear as a kid like 'The Golden Arm'. And who better to tell a ghost story than Lin Shaye of INSIDIOUS (2010) and its sequels? A shame more of the stories aren't of the same caliber. Simplistic yet infinitely effective, a great deal of mood and atmosphere is built up with camera placement and sound effects. Some editing plays tricks with the audience for some familiar 'boo' moments that merely sets up the shock reveal at the end. 

Mick Garris and Stuart Gordon are some of the costumed guests listening intently to Lin Shaye spinning her horror tales. Additional cameos by Barbara Crampton and Lisa Marie.

DING DONG (08:39)

Directed by Lucky McKee

A schizophrenic woman and her doting, henpecked husband are trying to have a child only the husband has second thoughts due to the alarmingly erratic behavior of his wife who may or may not be a witch. Her sanity crumbles further on Halloween night as more kids come to their door for candy.

Quirky McKee, who did great things with MAY and THE WOMAN (2011), is reunited with the wonderful actress Pollyanna McIntosh to deliver his trademark brand of off-kilter storytelling. McIntosh is a memorable presence as the mentally unstable wife who makes the Wicked Witch of the West look like Glinda, the Good Witch of the North in comparison. A reworked, psychological version of 'Hansel and Gretel' with some nods to THE WIZARD OF OZ (1939). You're never quite sure if what's happening is real or all in someone's head. Striking visuals, some funny bits, and Ms. McIntosh, as always, gives her all for the role. 

Multiple Trick r' Treaters turn up in other segments; an instance of overlapping entries. Felissa Rose of SLEEPAWAY CAMP (1981) fame has a cameo.

THIS MEANS WAR (06:34)

Directed by Andrew Kasich and John Skipp

Having put up traditional Halloween decorations for 20 years, a straight-laced Halloweener's Morbid Mansion display is dwarfed by Dante's Hell Hole, the garishly gory decor of the new, noisy, metal Misfit neighbors. The two home owners eventually come to bloody blows.

The first of two awful installments, this one is especially disappointing since it is about Halloween decorating. Outside of that, it's a pointless exercise in juvenility. Guy puts up his yearly traditional decorations. New neighbors move in and put up a far more gruesome display. They make a lot of racket. The traditional neighbor becomes irate. They fight. They die. And that's it.

FRIDAY THE 31st (06:57)

Directed by Mike Mendez

A beautiful young lady dressed as Dorothy from THE WIZARD OF OZ (1939) is pursued and killed by a hulking, masked killer. Suddenly, a UFO appears and a Trick r' Treating alien beams down hoping for some Earth candy. The deformed slasher has no non-sharp, digestible items to give the tiny interplanetary visitor so he stomps it into a pile of goo. The space goo then enters the mouth of dead Dorothy, reviving her as a zombie alien; the living dead girl then turns the tables on her killer. 

The director of the remarkably effective THE GRAVEDANCERS (2006) does an inventive tribute to both Jason Voorhees and THE EVIL DEAD (1981), mixing it with aliens from outer space! The best of the comical segments, it's the goriest short of them all. There's even a bit of stop-motion animation to heighten the creativity. The pig-tailed onlooker from the previous tale is the victim of this one, being chased by the masked Jason clone.

If you can take your eyes off the splattery gore FX, you'll notice the Necronomicon and Jason's mother's head inside the cabin.

THE RANSOM OF RUSTY REX (10:47)

Directed by Ryan Schifrin 

Two criminals kidnap a rich kid out collecting candy on Halloween night. Calling who they think is the kid's father, Jebediah Rex, the two crooks demand a ransom. He refuses them before they can even negotiate. It isn't long before the dumbfounded duo realize it is they who are the hostages.

The 2nd clunker of the set, this one comes from Ryan Schifrin (the son of famed composer Lalo Schifrin--who did the main theme for the movie). Ransom holds the viewer hostage for nearly 11 minutes, failing at being funny or even remotely scary. The set-up sounds good (written by Schifrin) but lacks interest; even the ending is simplistic and minus imagination. Mr. Schifrin had much better success with his highly entertaining killer Bigfoot flick from 2006, ABOMINABLE. 

John Landis cameos as Rusty's "dad". Tragically, dwarf actor Ben Woolf (of AMERICAN HORROR STORY) died on February 23rd, 2015 after being hit by a car. TALES OF HALLOWEEN is dedicated to him post-credits.

BAD SEED (10:48)

Directed by Neil Marshall

Immediately after carving a pumpkin for Halloween, the Jack-o'-lantern comes to life and consumes its creator. It goes on a rampage, eating trick r' treaters and anyone who crosses its path. A determined detective tracks down the Super Pumpkin, learning that there's more potentially deadly Squash being genetically manufactured at the Clover Corporation.

Thankfully, TALES ends on a high note! The director of THE DESCENT (2005) lowers himself into ATTACK OF THE KILLER TOMATOES (1977) territory with the second best of the blackly comical segments. A killer, flesh-eating Jack-o-lantern is on the rampage... and that's pretty much the plot. Practical Pumpkin FX are a highlight. The music has a Carpenteresque quality about it. Director Neil Marshall (who played a victim in the FRIDAY THE 31st segment) packs his short film with cameos....

Greg McLean, director of the two WOLF CREEK movies (review for part 2 HERE) and the superb killer croc flick ROGUE (2007), is the ill-fated pumpkin carver. Joe Dante cameos as the creator of the Super Pumpkins. Kristina Klebe, whose nude scene was the major bright-spot in Rob Zombie's atrocious remake of HALLOWEEN from 2007, plays the detective on the trail of our murderous Jack-o'-lantern. The drop-dead gorgeous Cerina Vincent (CABIN FEVER [2002]) has a cameo at the beginning as well.

The October Society have created a good enough Halloween cocktail using the right ingredients to make it a popular annual drink for fans.... only go a little heavier on the horror next time.

This review is representative of the Epic Pictures Bluray/DVD 4 disc set limited to 1,000 pieces. Specs and Extras: 1080p widescreen 2.35:1; Bonus Features--bonus shorts, deleted scenes, featurettes, photo galleries, Fun Facts pop-up feature, video diaries, commentary/additional commentaries, CD soundtrack, 2 collectible cards, and more; running time: 01:37:20