It Hails From The Crypt

Frederick Schroeder and Tim Loughran
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Join hosts Frederick Schroeder and Tim Loughran as they descend into the crypt to discuss all things Tales From the Crypt and the world of horror anthologies. From the classic EC Comics that started it all to an episode-by-episode breakdowns of the legendary HBO series now streaming on Shudder we'll explore the stories, creators, cast and production history, spin-off films and everything BEYOND! If you are a longtime Crypt Keeper fan or discovering the series for the first time, pull up a coffin and join us for a journey through one of horror's most beloved franchises.

  1. 10h ago

    Episode 17: Judy, You're Not Yourself Today (Tales From the Crypt S02E11)

    This week on It Hails from the Crypt, hosts Fred and Tim tackle “Judy, You’re Not Yourself Today,” Season 2, Episode 11 of HBO’s Tales from the Crypt: a twisted suburban nightmare of body swapping, witchcraft, marriage, murder and identity starring Carol Kane, Brian Kerwin and Frances Bay. As always, we begin where Tales from the Crypt began: Before “Judy, You’re Not Yourself Today” came to HBO, the story appeared in Tales from the Crypt #25 in 1951, written by legendary EC editor/writer Al Feldstein with artwork by Wally Wood. Fred and Tim dig into the original seven-page story, examining Wood’s artwork, Feldstein’s black-comic plotting, the body-switching premise and its connection to H.P. Lovecraft’s “The Thing on the Doorstep.” How much of Lovecraft survives in EC’s version? How does Feldstein turn identity horror into a nasty domestic joke? And what changes when HBO revisits the story almost forty years later? Then we turn to the 1990 HBO adaptation, directed by Randa Haines filmmaker behind Children of a Lesser God from a screenplay by longtime Tales from the Crypt writer Scott Nimerfro. Carol Kane stars as Judy, whose already strained marriage to gun-obsessed husband Donald, played by Brian Kerwin, gets considerably worse when an elderly cosmetics saleswoman shows up at the door. That mysterious visitor is played by Frances Bay remembered by horror and cult fans from Blue Velvet and Twin Peaks and she has much more than a makeover in mind. Soon Judy isn’t acting like Judy, Donald realizes something impossible has happened, and what begins as suburban marital comedy turns into a bizarre story of witchcraft, body swapping, murder and revenge. Fred and Tim break down Carol Kane’s performance, Brian Kerwin’s increasingly frantic Donald, Frances Bay’s wonderfully sinister witch, Randa Haines’ direction, the practical makeup effects, dark comedy and escalating absurdity while comparing the HBO adaptation directly with the original EC Comics story. We also dig into a great deep-cut credit: a young Todd Field — future director of In the Bedroom, Little Children and TÁR — appears in a small role years before becoming an Oscar-nominated filmmaker. How does the HBO version expand the comic? Does Carol Kane make the body-swap premise funnier, creepier or both? And is “Judy, You’re Not Yourself Today” secretly one of Season 2’s strangest episodes? Finally, Fred and Tim unlock the Vault of More for another collection of movies, television, books, comics and music connected to the episode. If you love Tales from the Crypt, EC Comics, Carol Kane, Wally Wood, H.P. Lovecraft, The Thing on the Doorstep, Twin Peaks, body-swap horror, horror comedy or classic anthology television, join us as we dig into “Judy, You’re Not Yourself Today.” ⚰️ EPISODE, CAST & CREW • Randa Haines — Director https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0354279/ • Scott Nimerfro — Screenplay https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0632350/ • Carol Kane — Judy https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001406/ • Brian Kerwin — Donald https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0450116/ • Frances Bay — The Witch https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0062844/ • Todd Field — Eugene https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0276062/ • John Kassir — The Crypt Keeper https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0440885/

  2. Oct 14

    Episode 16: The Ventriloquist's Dummy (Tales from the Crypt S02E10

    #TalesFromTheCrypt #ECComics #TheVentriloquistsDummy This week on It Hails from the Crypt, hosts Fred and Tim take the stage for “The Ventriloquist’s Dummy,” Season 2, Episode 10 of HBO’s Tales from the Crypt — the infamous episode starring Don Rickles and Bobcat Goldthwait, directed by Richard Donner and written by Frank Darabont. Before “The Ventriloquist’s Dummy” came to HBO, the story appeared in Tales from the Crypt #28, plotted by Bill Gaines and Al Feldstein, scripted by Feldstein and illustrated by legendary EC artist Graham “Ghastly” Ingels. Fred and Tim dig into the original comic, examining Ingels’ grotesque artwork, EC’s twisted sense of humor and the bizarre body-horror premise at the center of the story before looking at how it was transformed for television nearly 40 years later. Then we turn to the 1990 HBO adaptation, directed by Richard Donner, filmmaker behind Superman, The Goonies, The Omen and Lethal Weapon, with a screenplay by future The Shawshank Redemption, The Green Mile and The Walking Dead filmmaker Frank Darabont. Bobcat Goldthwait stars as Billy Goldman, an aspiring ventriloquist desperate to learn from his childhood idol, legendary performer Mr. Ingels, played by comedy icon Don Rickles. Fred and Tim break down Don Rickles and Bobcat Goldthwait’s performances, Richard Donner’s direction, Frank Darabont’s adaptation, the episode’s comedy, practical effects, creature work and outrageous body horror while comparing the HBO version directly with its EC Comics source. Finally, Fred and Tim unlock the Vault of More for another collection of deep-cut recommendations inspired by the episode. Then Fred and Tim make another stop at THE DEAD LETTER OFFICE, answering listener questions about Tales from the Crypt, EC Comics, horror movies, filmmaking, the podcast and whatever else has found its way into our mailbox. ⚰️ EPISODE, CAST & CREW • The Ventriloquist’s Dummy — Season 2, Episode 10 https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0716900/ • Richard Donner — Director https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001149/ • Frank Darabont — Screenplay https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001104/ • Don Rickles — Mr. Ingels https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0725543/ • Bobcat Goldthwait — Billy Goldman https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001281/ • John Kassir — The Crypt Keeper https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0440885/ • Full Cast & Crew https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0716900/fullcredits/ 🎙️ 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, music and other deep cuts connected to the episode.

  3. Oct 7

    Episode 15: Four Sided Triangle (Tales from the Crypt S02E09)

    This week on It Hails from the Crypt, hosts Fred and Tim head into the cornfield for “Four-Sided Triangle,” Season 2, Episode 9 of HBO’s Tales from the Crypt: a twisted tale of lust, abuse, obsession, revenge and one very unusual romantic triangle involving a scarecrow that may be more important than anyone realizes. As always, we begin where Tales from the Crypt began: Before “Four-Sided Triangle” came to HBO, “4-Sided Triangle” appeared in Shock SuspenStories #17, written by Carl Wessler with artwork by legendary EC artist Jack Kamen. Fred and Tim dig into the original 1954 comic, examining Kamen’s distinctive artwork, the story’s mixture of sex, cruelty and grotesque humor, its rural nightmare atmosphere and the vicious EC morality at its center before looking at how the story was radically expanded for television nearly four decades later. What happens when Tales from the Crypt takes a brutally simple eight-page EC shocker and gives its central character an entirely new story? Then we turn to the 1990 HBO adaptation, directed by Tom Holland, the filmmaker behind Fright Night and Child’s Play. Patricia Arquette stars as Mary Jo, a young fugitive trapped on an isolated farm with the deeply unpleasant George and Luisa Yates, played by Chelcie Ross and Susan Blommaert. George has his eyes on Mary Jo. Luisa has her eyes on George. Mary Jo has her eyes on somebody else. Unfortunately, he’s a scarecrow. After a violent encounter leaves Mary Jo with a head injury, she becomes convinced that the scarecrow standing in the field is alive — and that he’s her lover. George sees Mary Jo’s obsession as an opportunity, Luisa becomes increasingly jealous, and what begins as a nasty rural melodrama starts moving toward the kind of gruesome punchline only Tales from the Crypt could deliver. Fred and Tim break down Patricia Arquette’s performance, Tom Holland’s direction, the episode’s sexuality, black comedy, violence, rural Gothic atmosphere and increasingly bizarre love triangle while comparing the HBO adaptation directly with its EC Comics source. Why does the television version give Mary Jo so much more agency than the character in the original comic? How does Tom Holland, the filmmaker who turned vampires and killer dolls into ’80s horror icons, approach the very different horror of a lonely farmhouse and a scarecrow? And does expanding the original EC story make “Four-Sided Triangle” one of those rare adaptations that actually improves upon its source material? 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. Scarecrows. Rural nightmares. Forbidden desire. Killer relationships. And whatever other strange artifacts we can drag back from the dead. If you love Tales from the Crypt, EC Comics, Patricia Arquette, Tom Holland, Fright Night, Child’s Play, vintage horror comics, HBO horror, scarecrow horror, rural horror, horror anthologies, cult movies or simply discovering obscure corners of horror history, join us as we dig into “Four-Sided Triangle.” Send us your questions for the next visit to The Dead Letter Office.

  4. Sep 30

    Episode 14: For Cryin' Out Loud (Tales from the Crypt S02E08)

    It Hails From The Crypt #TalesFromTheCrypt #ECComics #ForCryinOutLoud This week on It Hails from the Crypt, hosts Fred and Tim crank up the volume for “For Cryin’ Out Loud,” Season 2, Episode 8 of HBO’s Tales from the Crypt — a deranged mixture of murder, greed, guilt, rock ’n’ roll and one conscience that absolutely refuses to shut up. Fred and Tim dig into the original comic, Shock SuspenStories #15, written by legendary EC writer Otto Binder with artwork by Reed Crandall. examining Crandall’s detailed artwork, Binder’s tale of murder and guilt, the story’s increasingly bizarre psychological torment and the cruel morality that made EC Comics infamous before looking at how the story was transformed for television nearly four decades later. Then we turn to the 1990 HBO adaptation, directed by Jeffrey Price, the Oscar-nominated co-writer of Who Framed Roger Rabbit, and written by Price and longtime writing partner Peter S. Seaman. Crooked rock promoter Marty Slash thinks he has found the perfect way to steal a fortune from a benefit concert. There’s just one problem: after committing murder, Marty’s conscience suddenly develops a voice of its own. And that voice belongs to Sam Kinison. The episode stars Lee Arenberg as Marty Slash, Katey Sagal as Ms. Kilbasser, Sam Kinison as the screaming voice of Marty’s conscience and punk-rock legend Iggy Pop as himself, with John Kassir providing the unmistakable voice of the Crypt Keeper. Finally, Fred and Tim unlock the Vault of More for another collection of deep-cut recommendations inspired by the episode. And this week we open a brand-new wing of the Crypt: The Dead Letter Office! Fred and Tim answer questions sent in by listeners about Tales from the Crypt, EC Comics, horror movies, filmmaking, the podcast and anything else strange enough to find its way into our mailbox. EPISODE, CAST & CREW • For Cryin’ Out Loud — Episode https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0716849/ • Jeffrey Price — Director / Writer https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0696949/ • Peter S. Seaman — Writer https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0780620/ • Lee Arenberg — Marty Slash https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0034305/ • Katey Sagal — Ms. Kilbasser https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0005408/ • Sam Kinison — Marty Slash’s Conscience https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0455630/ • Iggy Pop — Himself https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0006563/ • John Kassir — The Crypt Keeper https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0440885/ • Tales from the Crypt — Full Cast & Crew https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0716849/fullcredits/ #TalesFromTheCrypt #ForCryinOutLoud #ECComics #HorrorPodcast #Horror #HBO #CryptKeeper #SamKinison #KateySagal #IggyPop #LeeArenberg #JohnKassir #JeffreyPrice #ShockSuspenStories #HorrorComics #ClassicHorror #HorrorTV #HorrorMovies #ComicBooks #CultHorror #90sHorror

  5. Sep 23

    Episode 13: The Sacrifice (Tales from the Crypt S02E07)

    Lust, murder, blackmail—and a very dangerous insurance policy. Fred and Tim explore “The Sacrifice,” Season 2, Episode 7 of HBO’s Tales from the Crypt, in Episode 13 of It Hails From the Crypt! 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

  6. Sep 16

    Episode 12: The Thing from the Grave (Tales from the Crypt S2E6)

    #TalesFromTheCrypt #ECComics #TheThingFromTheGrave 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

  7. Sep 9

    Episode 11: Three's a Crowd (Tales from the Crypt S2E5)

    It Hails From the Crypt Episode 11: “Three’s a Crowd” | Tales from the Crypt S2E5 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

  8. Sep 2

    Episode 10: Til Death (Tales from the Crypt S2E4)

    Love hurts. Sometimes it even brings you back from the dead. 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.

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Join hosts Frederick Schroeder and Tim Loughran as they descend into the crypt to discuss all things Tales From the Crypt and the world of horror anthologies. From the classic EC Comics that started it all to an episode-by-episode breakdowns of the legendary HBO series now streaming on Shudder we'll explore the stories, creators, cast and production history, spin-off films and everything BEYOND! If you are a longtime Crypt Keeper fan or discovering the series for the first time, pull up a coffin and join us for a journey through one of horror's most beloved franchises.

Information

  • Creator
    Frederick Schroeder and Tim Loughran
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    18
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Frederick Schroeder and Tim Loughran
  • Show Website
    It Hails From The Crypt