Ante up, Creeps! This week on It Hails From the Crypt, Fred and Tim put “Cutting Cards” on the chopping block... and by the end, we may be a few fingers short.

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.

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.

Episode 7 – “Dead Right” | It Hails from the Crypt

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.

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!