‘Tales from the Darkside’ Delivers Three Killer Yarns

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35 years ago, “Tales from the Darkside: The Movie” was released, earning recognition as one of the finest (if not the ultimate) horror anthology films ever made. This classic movie also featured an outstanding performance by the versatile actor David Johansen, who sadly passed away last month.

Johansen initially found fame as the frontman for The New York Dolls, later achieving mainstream popularity under the name Buster Poindexter. He subsequently transitioned into acting roles in movies and television series, eventually coming back to his musical roots.

He was a true original.

Known for his captivating stage presence and versatile acting skills, Johnsen is particularly recognized for portraying the smoky-eared Ghost of Christmas Past in the 1988 Christmas film “Scrooged,” starring Bill Murray.

For those eager to delve more deeply into Johansen’s short yet vibrant film career, it’s worth noting his exceptional performance in “Tales from the Darkside,” a frequently overlooked gem that is truly a hidden treasure for horror enthusiasts.

In the beginning, director John Harrison’s movie unfolds with a harmonious tone, setting in a quaint town. It’s here that Betty, a charming society figure (played by Deborah Harry), is making her way back home. As she drives, she warmly greets everyone she passes along the way.

Peeking into Betty’s private spaces reveals the truth: hidden within her spacious kitchen lies a confinement, where a youthful captive named Timmy (Matthew Lawrence) resides.

For several days, Timmy had been given lots of cookies by Betty, leading her to contemplate cooking him. However, Timmy postponed his fate by entertaining Betty with stories from the thick book called “Tales from the Darkside,” which she had carelessly thrown into his cell as a way to pass time.

Timmy reads Betty three stories:

Lot 249″ (A modern retelling inspired by an Arthur Conan Doyle story): This narrative revolves around a university student named Steve Buscemi, who unexpectedly discovers the means to bring a mummy back to life. Using this ancient secret, he devises a sinister plot to carry out clandestine tasks.

In the second story, we find Stephen King’s “The Cat from Hell,” where Johansen takes on the role of a hired assassin tasked with eliminating a supposedly malevolent cat belonging to a wealthy elderly man named William Hickey. The old man’s instructions for the hitman are clear: “Eliminate it, bury it, return its tail, so I can cast it into a fire and witness its destruction by flames.

The third narrative, titled “Lover’s Vow,” is penned by Michael McDowell, screenwriter of “Beetlejuice.” It revolves around an artist (James Remar) grappling with financial difficulties who encounters his soulmate (Rae Dawn Chong) on the very same evening that he pledges a significant promise to a formidable entity.

With each story he tells Betty, Timmy manages to charm and captivate her. But can these stories keep her from considering him as dinner?

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As a devoted admirer, let me share a bit about the genesis of this captivating film: Originally, it sprung from the pages of EC Comics, famously known for their “Educational Comics” moniker, although they were more notorious for their graphic, audacious, and downright hilarious comic book stories. Among their most iconic creations were “Tales from the Crypt,” “Weird Science,” and “Vault of Horror” comic books.

The provocative and pioneering comic books served as inspiration for George A. Romero, the director of “Night of the Living Dead”, to create “Creepshow” (1981) – a heartfelt, stylish homage to EC Comics that reflected his admiration.

As a passionate movie critic, I must say that “Creepshow,” initially an unsuspecting success, left such a lasting impression on me that George A. Romero yearned to expand its chilling tale beyond the silver screen. Unfortunately, legal complications prevented him from using the iconic “Creepshow” title, so he rebranded it as “Tales from the Darkside.” This dark, macabre anthology series premiered in 1983 and captivated audiences for an impressive four seasons.

Romero was an executive producer on the “Tales from the Darkside” series and the feature film.

Subsequently, shows like “Monsters” (1988-1991) and the ongoing “Creepshow” series from 2019 on Shudder emerged, now in its fourth season and an official continuation, though delayed, of Romero’s original film.

Back in the 1980s and 1990s, it was quite a surprise to find horror shows like “Tales from the Darkside,” “Darkroom,” “Freddy’s Nightmares,” “Monsters,” and “Friday the 13th: The Series” on conventional television. Despite their modest budgets and PG ratings, they delivered real frightening moments.

I’d contend that among the group, “Tales from the Darkside” stood out as the most chilling, thanks to its haunting theme music, composed by Donald Rubinstein and Erica Lindsey, which had a captivating effect on viewers.

At night, I’d tune in to the series right after “Saturday Night Live” ended, but occasionally, the opening theme would scare me so much that I’d hesitate to continue watching. On some occasions, if I managed to finish an episode, it was too frightening for me to immediately fall asleep afterward.

In my younger years, there wasn’t anything more terrifying than huddling up to watch “Tales from the Darkside” at midnight, with every light in the house extinguished. But the chilling preview for “Tales from the Darkside – The Movie” was the one trailer that made me leap out of my seat. It’s still one of the rare coming attractions previews that sends a shiver down my spine.

Although Harrison’s cunning, charming movie might not hold the legendary status of “Dead of Night” (1945) or maintain the enduring cult following of Romero’s “Creepshow” and Michael Dougherty’s “Trick r Treat” (2007), nor boast the star-studded cast of the somewhat nearly great “Twilight Zone – The Movie” (1983), it certainly offers a unique blend of suspense and intrigue.

Despite its fast-paced nature, “Tales from the Darkside: The Movie” doesn’t linger excessively and manages to tell only three stories effectively. This results in delivering an optimal amount of entertainment within 93 minutes.

In Lot 249, we find a captivating performance by a young, rising star Buscemi, along with solid acting from Christian Slater. Notably, Julianne Moore makes her unforgettable film debut in this piece. Even at the start of her career, Moore radiates the charisma of a seasoned movie star (although her final scene might be considered humiliating, it remains a standout moment).

As a fan, I must say that Moore and Buscemi deliver some thrilling twists, and the climactic scene (reminiscent of the “Something to Tide You Over” segment in “Creepshow”) is truly memorable. However, I found the initial setup a bit convoluted. Much like the bumbling mummy character, “Lot 249” stumbles but never fails to amuse. I appreciate how the mummy is portrayed as a victim of circumstances, with his deadly abilities forced upon him rather than inherent.

Who knew one could weaponize a mummy?

The “Cat from Hell” segment is so impressive that it would have been fitting to end the entire movie on this note. The makeup effects by KNB EFX are particularly stomach-churning in this part. Johansen, playing against type as a smooth assassin, delivers an excellent slow-building performance and has a captivating back-and-forth with Hickey, a talented actor whose voice is as unique as Johansen’s.

In this particular episode titled “The Cat from Hell,” the style is exceptionally refined, showcasing inventive, dramatic lighting, vibrant color palettes, and strategic camera angles that simulate a cat’s perspective. By the scene where the cat claws Johansen’s trousers at the crotch, it becomes apparent that the character has met his match with this feline.

The fade out on this segment is hilarious and absolutely disgusting.

In ‘Lover’s Vow,’ Remar and Chong shine, and the film effectively captures the era (you might spot a poster for ‘Star Trek – The Motion Picture’ during the 1979-set opening scene). If you recall Masaki Kobayashi’s ‘Kwaidan’ (1965) fondly, you’ll find this story, an adaptation of ‘The Woman in the Snow,’ to be a familiar and enjoyable journey.

Harris’s movie and Kobayashi’s masterwork would make an excellent pair for a captivating double bill. “The Promise of Love” culminates with the tense showdown between Timmy and Betty, ending on a fittingly grim note that is incredibly rewarding to watch.

Instead of “Creepshow” being the more popular anthology movie, I personally lean towards Harrison’s method of translating the chilling atmosphere of horror comics into cinema. While “Creepshow,” created by Romero, is clever and direct in its approach to horror, I find Harrison’s work to be less cluttered and more focused on using books and storytelling as a metaphorical escape route. It should be noted that while “Creepshow” adapts horror comic book narratives, Harrison’s film explores the idea of literature and storytelling as a literal means of escaping reality.

According to Harrison’s evaluation, the movie receives a favorable rating, as each section features unique themes – a technique reminiscent of Jerry Goldsmith’s score for “Twilight Zone – The Movie”. Out of the three stories, “Lover’s Vow” seems slightly extended. It is said that the order of these segments was previously different; “The Cat From Hell” was traditionally placed in the middle, while “Lover’s Vow” initially opened the series, and “Lot 249” served as the finale at one point.

This event’s lineup is flawless, with “The Cat from Hell” serving as the headliner, complemented by Johansen’s outstanding performance. If you’re a fan of Buster Poindexter, Blondie, Stephen King, and felines, you’ll find this absolutely captivating.

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2025-03-22 00:03