Any young “boils and ghouls” tuning into Tales From The Crypt knew what to expect from the horror anthology series by the end of its seven-year run: first, an opening tracking shot that made its way towards a rundown mansion on a stormy night before snaking inside and descending into its basement, then the decaying puppet host, The Cryptkeeper, delivering a macabre, pun-laden introductory speech, and finally, an episode in which characters plotting to swindle, exploit or murder others met gratifyingly tragic or violent ends themselves. In season 4, a conman (Joe Pesci) attempting to trick a pair of wealthy twins into marriage so he could secure both their fortunes was ironically sawed in half once his ruse was discovered. In season 3, an artist (Tim Roth) whose morbid paintings were inspired by the murders he committed eventually discovered that his latest victim was the only surgeon who could’ve saved his moribund girlfriend’s life.
Over its 93 episodes, Tales from the Crypt put gruesome spins on classic Christmas stories, noir conventions, and even Shakespearean tragedy, drawing on big-name directors such as Robert Zemeckis, William Friedkin, and Tobe Hooper to helm episodes. Actors Tom Hanks and Arnold Schwarzenegger each shot one too. Its grand finale, inspired by the classic Three Little Pigs fairytale, was rife with blood, guts and vengeance in true Tales From The Crypt style — a “twisted bit of gory-telling,” as The Cryptkeeper put it. But in a departure from convention, the series’ last-ever episode became its first animated one.
