Our deep dive begins with the original EC Comics story from Shock SuspenStories #10 (1953), plotted by William Gaines and Al Feldstein, scripted by Feldstein, and illustrated by Jack Kamen. We examine its twisted crime-comic roots before digging into how the story made the leap from the printed page to HBO.

Then we unpack the television adaptation, directed by Richard Greenberg and written by crime novelist Ross Thomas. Starring Kim Delaney, Kevin Kilner, Michael Ironside, and Don Hood, “The Sacrifice” follows an insurance salesman whose affair with a wealthy client’s wife leads him into murder and blackmail. We explore the performances, suspense, dark humor, and deadly double-crosses—and compare the episode with its original comic counterpart.

Finally, we dig into our Vault of More for deep-cut recommendations connected to the episode: movies, television, comics, and other discoveries to keep you exploring after the Crypt Keeper closes the coffin.

Spoilers for the original comic and television episode.

EPISODE & IMDb LINKS

“The Sacrifice” — Tales from the Crypt, S2E7
Complete cast and crew

CAST

Kim Delaney — Gloria Fielding
Kevin Kilner — James
Michael Ironside — Jerry
Don Hood — Sebastian Fielding
John Kassir — the voice of the Crypt Keeper

BEHIND THE CAMERA

Richard Greenberg — Director
Ross Thomas — Screenplay
John R. Leonetti — Cinematography
Jonathan Elias — Music

This week on It Hails from the Crypt, hosts Fred and Tim dig up “The Thing from the Grave,” Season 2, Episode 6 of HBO’s Tales from the Crypt — a supernatural tale of obsession, murder, revenge and a mysterious necklace that proves stronger than death.

As always, we begin where Tales from the Crypt began:

📚 THE ORIGINAL EC COMIC

Before “The Thing from the Grave” crawled onto HBO, the story appeared in Tales from the Crypt #22, with artwork and story by legendary EC artist Al Feldstein.

Fred and Tim exhume the original comic, digging into its artwork, storytelling, gruesome imagery and classic EC morality before examining how the story was transformed for television nearly four decades later.

📺 THE HBO ADAPTATION

Then we turn to the 1990 HBO adaptation, directed by Fred Dekker, the cult filmmaker behind Night of the Creeps and The Monster Squad.

Beautiful model Stacy has become trapped in a relationship with her dangerously possessive boyfriend and photographer Mitch. Her friend Devlin promises that if she ever needs him, he'll be there for her — no matter what.

Mitch soon discovers that some promises survive even the grave.

The episode stars Teri Hatcher as Stacy, Miguel Ferrer as Mitch and Kyle Secor as Devlin, with John Kassir providing the unmistakable voice of the Crypt Keeper.

Fred and Tim break down the performances, direction, photography, violence, supernatural revenge and the episode's distinctly late-'80s/early-'90s atmosphere while comparing the HBO adaptation directly with its EC Comics source.

How much did Fred Dekker change? What does the television version gain — or lose — in the transition from lurid 1950s horror comic to HBO? And where does “The Thing from the Grave” fit within the increasingly ambitious second season of Tales from the Crypt?

🔓 THE VAULT OF MORE

Finally, Fred and Tim unlock the Vault of More for another collection of deep-cut recommendations inspired by the episode.

Movies. Television. Comics. Books. Horror history. And whatever other strange artifacts we can drag back from the dead.

If you love Tales from the Crypt, EC Comics, vintage horror comics, HBO horror, supernatural revenge stories, practical effects, cult movies or simply discovering obscure corners of horror history, join us as we dig into “The Thing from the Grave.”

⚰️ EPISODE, CAST & CREW

• Fred Dekker — Director
• Teri Hatcher — Stacy
• Miguel Ferrer — Mitch
• Kyle Secor — Devlin
• John Kassir — The Crypt Keeper
• Tales from the Crypt — Full Cast & Crew

🎙️ IT HAILS FROM THE CRYPT

Join Fred and Tim as they work their way through HBO’s Tales from the Crypt, tracing each episode back to the original EC Comics story that inspired it before opening the Vault of More to uncover movies, television, comics, books and other deep cuts connected to the episode.

Subscribe, leave us a comment, and tell us what you think of “The Thing from the Grave.” How does the HBO version compare with the original EC Comics story?

#TalesFromTheCrypt #TheThingFromTheGrave #ECComics #HorrorPodcast #Horror #HBO #CryptKeeper #FredDekker #TeriHatcher #MiguelFerrer #KyleSecor #JohnKassir #HorrorComics #ClassicHorror #HorrorTV #HorrorMovies #ComicBooks #CultHorror #90sHorror #VaultOfMore #ItHailsFromTheCrypt

Jealousy, paranoia, marital misery and one of the nastiest punchlines Tales from the Crypt ever delivered.

In Episode 11 of It Hails From the Crypt, we tackle “Three’s a Crowd,” Tales from the Crypt Season 2, Episode 5, originally aired May 1, 1990.

And fair warning: this may not be the most politically correct or even the most well-liked trip into the Crypt.

First we go all the way back to EC Comics’ Shock SuspenStories #11 and the original seven-page “…Three’s a Crowd”, plotted by Bill Gaines and Al Feldstein, scripted by Feldstein and illustrated by the great Jack Kamen.

We compare the original 1953 comic with HBO’s 1990 adaptation: what changed, what stayed remarkably faithful, and how expanding a brutally efficient seven-page EC story into a half-hour television episode changes our relationship with Richard, Della and the story’s vicious final revelation.

Gavan O’Herlihy stars as Richard, a down-on-his-luck husband whose marriage to Della (Ruth de Sosa) is already showing some serious cracks when the couple is invited on an anniversary getaway by their wealthy friend Alan (Paul Lieber). Richard soon becomes convinced that his wife and best friend are having an affair behind his back.

We dig into an episode that can be deliberately unpleasant, darkly funny and genuinely uncomfortable, with a protagonist whose attitudes and behavior haven’t exactly become easier to stomach with age. Is “Three’s a Crowd” an underrated piece of pitch-black EC horror? An ugly relic of another era? Or does its ugliness actually make the final twist hit even harder?

We also look at director David Burton Morris, composer Jan Hammer, and the performances that turn what begins as a story of marital jealousy into something considerably darker.

And, as always, we finish by heading deeper underground with our Vault of MORE Recommendations: movies, comics, books and other obscurities connected to the episode’s themes of jealousy, paranoia, murderous husbands, marital horror, fatal misunderstandings and twist endings.

Episode Cast & Crew

🎬 David Burton Morris — Director / Co-Writer
David Burton Morris on IMDb

🎭 Gavan O’Herlihy — Richard
Gavan O’Herlihy on IMDb

🎭 Ruth de Sosa — Della
Ruth de Sosa on IMDb

🎭 Paul Lieber — Alan
Paul Lieber on IMDb

💀 John Kassir — The Crypt Keeper
John Kassir on IMDb

So grab a drink, ignore those suspicious whispers coming from the other room, and join us as we revisit one of the meaner, messier and more divisive episodes of Tales from the Crypt.

Because sometimes three really is a crowd.

#TalesFromTheCrypt #ECComics #HorrorPodcast #ShockSuspenStories #CryptKeeper #HorrorComics #HorrorTV #90sHorror #GavanOHerlihy #JackKamen #ECComicsHorror #HorrorMovies #HorrorFans #HorrorCommunity #ItHailsFromTheCrypt

In Episode 10 of It Hails From the Crypt, hosts Fred and Tim dig into “’Til Death,” Tales from the Crypt Season 2, Episode 4, originally aired April 24, 1990.

We head back to the source material and open up EC Comics’ The Vault of Horror #28, comparing the original “’Til Death” comic with HBO’s adaptation. What did the television version keep? What did it change? And how does the original EC story stack up against the considerably more elaborate version produced nearly four decades later?

Then we dive into the episode directed by Academy Award-winning makeup-effects legend Chris Walas (The Fly, Gremlins, The Fly II) and written by Jeri Barchilon, the episode follows devious developer Logan Andrews, whose plan to use a voodoo love potion on a wealthy heiress turns into a particularly gruesome lesson in why you should always follow the instructions.

We break down the episode’s mixture of voodoo horror, black comedy, romance and full-blown EC Comics grotesquerie, along with Walas’ direction and the practical makeup effects that turn an ill-advised love affair into a wonderfully macabre tale of devotion beyond the grave.

And, as always, we descend even further into "The Vault of More" for our Deep Cut Recommendations — a selection of movies, comics, books and other oddities connected to the episode’s themes, influences, cast and crew. If undead romance, voodoo curses, obsessive love, practical creature effects and forgotten corners of horror history are your thing, we’ve got you covered.

Episode Cast & Crew

🎬 Chris Walas — Director
The Oscar-winning makeup-effects artist behind The Fly and Gremlins, and director of The Fly II.
Chris Walas on IMDb

✍️ Jeri Barchilon — Writer

🎭 D.W. Moffett — Logan Andrews
D.W. Moffett on IMDb

🎭 Pamela Gien — Margaret Richardson
Pamela Gien on IMDb

🎭 Janet Hubert — Psyche
Best known as the original Vivian Banks on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.
Janet Hubert on IMDb

🎭 Aubrey Morris — Freddy
The legendary British character actor whose credits include A Clockwork Orange, The Wicker Man and Lifeforce.
Aubrey Morris on IMDb

💀 John Kassir — The Crypt Keeper

🎥 John R. Leonetti — Cinematographer

🎼 Nicholas Pike — Composer

📺 “’Til Death” — Tales from the Crypt (1990)
Full episode cast & crew on IMDb

Join us as we exhume another story from the glory days of HBO’s Tales from the Crypt, revisit the original EC Comics, and uncover some horror deep cuts you may have missed.

It Hails From the Crypt — where every episode of Tales from the Crypt gets dug up, dissected and dragged back into the light.

First, we dig into the original EC Comics story “Cutting Cards!”, published in Tales from the Crypt #32 (1952). Written by legendary EC editor Al Feldstein and illustrated by Fred Peters, the six-page story pits two compulsive gamblers against each other as their rivalry escalates from cards to Russian roulette to the wonderfully named “chop poker.” We examine the comic, its creators, and that classic EC formula of human vice + terrible decisions = beautifully gruesome consequences.

Then we jump ahead to HBO’s 1990 adaptation, directed and co-written by Walter Hill, starring Lance Henriksen and Kevin Tighe as two gamblers who decide the town isn't big enough for the twos of them. We compare the episode with its comic-book origin, look at what Hill and company changed, and discuss Henriksen and Tighe’s gloriously hateful (love filled?) chemistry.

Finally, Fred and Tim offer their recommendations inspired by “Cutting Cards” some deep cuts for anyone who needs another fix after leaving the Crypt.

So shuffle the deck, place your bets and keep your hands where we can see them.

You might not have them much longer.

Dig Up the Details

The Original Comic

• Tales from the Crypt #32 — Grand Comics Database
• Al Feldstein — EC writer/editor
• Fred Peters — Artist

The HBO Episode

• “Cutting Cards” — IMDb
• Full Cast & Crew — IMDb
• Walter Hill — Director / Co-Writer
• Lance Henriksen — Reno Crevice
• Kevin Tighe — Sam Forney
• John Kassir — The Crypt Keeper
• James Horner — Composer
• John R. Leonetti — Director of Photography

What would you give up to be young, beautiful…and desirable again?

This week on It Hails From the Crypt, Fred and Tim crack open “The Switch,” Season 2, Episode 2 of HBO’s Tales from the Crypt — a wonderfully nasty tale of vanity, greed, body swapping, and the very high price of looking good.

Arnold Schwarzenegger makes his directorial debut behind the camera, bringing along a cast packed with familiar faces. William Hickey stars as aging millionaire Carlton Webster, who becomes obsessed with transforming himself to win the affection of the much younger Linda, played by Kelly Preston. His increasingly extreme procedures involve the considerably younger — and considerably more muscular — Hans, played by Rick Rossovich (The Terminator, Top Gun).

We dig into Schwarzenegger’s unlikely turn as a Tales from the Crypt director, the episode’s grotesque take on the pursuit of eternal youth, and its roots in the original EC Comics story from Tales from the Crypt #45, written by Carl Wessler and illustrated by the legendary Graham “Ghastly” Ingels. We compare the comic to HBO’s adaptation and look at what changed on the journey from the gruesome 1950s page to premium cable television in 1990.

Then we take a deeper look at the episode’s cast and crew, including:

Arnold Schwarzenegger – Director
IMDb

William Hickey – Carlton Webster
IMDb

Kelly Preston – Linda
IMDb

Rick Rossovich – Hans / Younger Carlton Webster
IMDb

Roy Brocksmith – The Doctor
IMDb

Ian Abercrombie – Fulton
IMDb

John Kassir – The Crypt Keeper
IMDb

And, as always, we finish things off with deep-cut horror and movie recommendations inspired by “The Switch” — more stories of vanity, transformation, aging, obsession, body horror, and people discovering that getting exactly what they want may be the worst thing that could happen to them.

For richer or poorer… but preferably richer.

This week on It Hails from the Crypt, Fred and Tim kick off Season 2 of HBO’s Tales from the Crypt with “Dead Right,” a twisted tale of fortune telling, greed, marriage, murder, and the dangers of getting exactly what you wished for.

First, we head back to EC Comics and Shock SuspenStories #6, home of the original 1952 story “Dead Right!” We compare the comic to the HBO adaptation, examining what changed, what stayed faithful, and how a gruesome EC morality tale was transformed for television.

Then we dig into the episode itself, directed by Howard Deutch, best known for Pretty in Pink, Some Kind of Wonderful, and The Great Outdoors, from a screenplay by Andy Wolk.

Howard Deutch – IMDb⁠

Andy Wolk – IMDb⁠

The episode stars Demi Moore as Cathy, an ambitious secretary who receives a prediction that marrying the thoroughly repulsive Charlie will eventually make her rich. Moore was right on the verge of superstardom, with Ghost arriving in theaters just a few months after “Dead Right” first aired.

Demi Moore – IMDb⁠

Opposite Moore is Jeffrey Tambor as the unforgettable Charlie Marno, with Natalija Nogulich as mysterious fortune teller Madame Vorna and Troy Evans as Al.

Jeffrey Tambor – IMDb⁠

Natalija Nogulich – IMDb⁠

Troy Evans – IMDb⁠

And, of course, John Kassir returns as the voice of the Crypt Keeper.

John Kassir – IMDb⁠

Along the way, we talk about Demi Moore’s career, Jeffrey Tambor’s grotesque transformation, Howard Deutch’s direction, the episode’s pitch-black sense of humor, and how “Dead Right” helped launch a bigger and more ambitious second season of Tales from the Crypt.

“Dead Right” – IMDb⁠

Finally, we crack open the Vault of MORE for another batch of deep-cut recommendations inspired by this week’s episode.

Subscribe, rate, and follow It Hails from the Crypt wherever you get your podcasts for more Tales from the Crypt, EC Comics, Shock SuspenStories, classic horror, cult movies, horror history, and deep-cut horror recommendations.

Retirement is supposed to be relaxing. Nobody told Jonas.

This week on It Hails from the Crypt, Fred and Tim close out Season 1 of HBO’s Tales from the Crypt with Episode 6, “Collection Completed” — a pitch-black tale of retirement, resentment, marriage, pets, taxidermy, and one seriously unhealthy new hobby.

First, we go back to the original EC Comics story from The Vault of Horror #25, written by Bill Gaines and Al Feldstein and illustrated by Graham “Ghastly” Ingels. We compare the comic to the HBO adaptation, looking at what changed, what was expanded, and which version delivers the nastier punchline.

Then we dig into director Mary Lambert, the filmmaker behind Pet Sematary and iconic Madonna videos including “Like a Prayer” and “Material Girl.”

Mary Lambert – IMDb

We also take a deep dive into the episode’s two veteran stars: legendary character actor M. Emmet Walsh, whose extraordinary career included Blade Runner, Blood Simple, The Jerk, Raising Arizona, and Knives Out, and Audra Lindley, best remembered as Helen Roper on Three’s Company and The Ropers.

M. Emmet Walsh – IMDb

Audra Lindley – IMDb

Along the way, we discuss the episode’s bizarre domestic horror, its place in Tales from the Crypt Season 1, and whether “Collection Completed” improves upon its gruesome EC Comics source.

“Collection Completed” – IMDb

Finally, we crack open the Vault of MORE for another round of deep-cut recommendations to keep you screaming until next week.

Subscribe, rate, and follow It Hails from the Crypt wherever you get your podcasts for more Tales from the Crypt, EC Comics, classic horror, cult movies, and horror history.

Love. Marriage. Murder. What could possibly go wrong?

This week on It Hails from the Crypt, Fred and Tim sharpen the axe and revisit one of the most gothic episodes of HBO's Tales from the Crypt: "Lover Come Hack to Me." Directed by Tom Holland https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0276169/?ref_=tt_ov_1_1 (Child's Play, Fright Night) and written by horror legend Michael McDowell https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0568313/?ref_=tt_ov_2_1, this eerie honeymoon nightmare blends supernatural horror, dark romance, and classic EC Comics irony into one unforgettable tale.

Join us as we break down Amanda Plummer'shttps://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001625/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0_tt_1_nm_7_in_0_q_amanda%20plume wonderfully bizarre performance, the episode's haunting atmosphere, its twist ending, and the themes of greed, obsession, and doomed love. We also compare the HBO adaptation to the original EC Comics story from Haunt of Fear #19, examining what changed, what stayed faithful, and how the television version expanded a seven-page comic into a memorable half-hour of horror.

Along the way, we'll discuss Tom Holland's direction, Michael McDowell's screenplay, behind-the-scenes trivia, the episode's place in the first season, and whether "Lover Come Hack to Me" deserves more love from Tales from the Crypt fans.

Then Axe-Cuse me but the Vault of MORE will have another set of deep cut recommendations to keep you screaming.

Subscribe, rate, and follow It Hails from the Crypt wherever you get your podcasts.

We compare the Tales From the Crypt television adaptation to its original EC Comics source material, Haunt of Fear #24 (1954) https://eccomics.fandom.com/wiki/Haunt_of_Fear_Vol_1_24 exploring the differences between page and screen while examining the episode’s themes of vanity, greed, aging, beauty, and supernatural justice. Along the way, we discuss the creative team behind the episode and the legacy of EC horror comics.

As always, we close out the show with horror movie, television, comic book, and pop culture recommendations inspired by the episode’s blend of Gothic horror, dark fantasy, and twisted humor.

We examine Richard Donner’s adaptation of the classic EC Comics story, starring Joe Pantoliano as a carnival performer who discovers a shocking way to cheat death. We discuss the episode’s blend of horror, dark comedy, and morality play, compare it to its comic-book origins, and explore what makes this one of the series’ most memorable early entries.

We also share our latest horror recommendations before heading back into the crypt