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.

Episode 5 – "Lover Come Hack to Me" | It Hails from the Crypt

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.

In this episode of It Hails From the Crypt, Fred and Tim dive into “Only Sin Deep,” from June 14, 1989 the classic Tales From the Crypt HBO episode starring Lea Thompson https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000670/?ref_=fn_i_1 and directed by her husband Howard Deutch https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0222043/?ref_=tt_ov_1_1. Adapted from the infamous EC Comics story, this dark horror tale follows a young woman willing to trade her beauty for wealth only to discover that every bargain comes with a terrifying cost.

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.

In this episode of It Hails From the Crypt, Frederick Schroeder and Tim Loughran discuss “Dig That Cat… He’s Real Gone,” the third episode of HBO’s Tales from the Crypt.

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

Listen along kiddies as Frederick Schroeder and Tim Loughran discuss “And All Through the House,” the klassic killer Santa episode of Tales from the Crypt. We break down Robert Zemeckis’s direction, the episode’s unforgettable suspense, its EC Comics origins, and why it remains one of the most beloved episodes of the entire series. Plus, our latest horror recommendations.

Hosts Frederick Schroeder and Tim Loughran kick off It Hails From the Crypt with a discussion of the history of EC Comics and “The Man Who Was Death,” the first episode of HBO’s Tales from the Crypt. We examine Walter Hill’s direction, William Sadler’s memorable performance, the EC Comics story that inspired the episode, and how the show evolved from page to screen. Plus, our latest horror recommendations and a look ahead at what’s to come as we journey through the entire series.

Welcome kiddies! Frederick Schroeder and Tim Loughran introduce you to the show dedicated to all things Tales From the Crypt. Follow along boils and ghouls as we dive deep into the depths of every episode of the HBO series and the original EC comics that inspired it!