terryhatcher1978 Reviews

Tales from the Crypt (1989– )

So many people want this to be good, they think it is

[1/10 · 4 October 2012]

Remember all the buzz about this show when it first launched? It was supposed to be the best thing since Rod Serling. Nobody seems to remember it now, but the initial reaction from viewers was pretty cool. There was a reason for that.

I won't belabor the silly, ham-bone nature of the puppet that provides the intros. I won't even comment on the grossly over-estimated contributions of "horror icons" occasionally signed on to direct an episode or two. Let's just talk about the stories.

In the old days, shows like "Twilight Zone" and "Alfred Hitchcock Presents" gave anthology lovers interesting stories about real (as in identifiable) people in striking situations...all the ingredients for a good ride.

"Tales From the Crypt" was, however, a contrived camp-fest which tried too hard to be outrageous. Its scripts overstepped themselves routinely, with cartoon-like characters and situations lacking the simple ring of truth. Many entries were mind-numbing gab-fests, in which the producers took a 5-minute concept and padded it to fill the show's run time. The "big twist" in many instances tended to be so disappointing viewers kicked themselves for having endured the entire episode hoping for a payoff that just wasn't worth it.

Supposedly this show is coming back to syndication, to disappoint a whole new generation. I can hardly wait to ignore it.

Portrait in Black (1960)

Great movie, but would have been better with Gregory Peck

[6 September 2012]

"Portrait in Black" is another of Ross Hunter's late '50s-early '60s productions for Universal-International. Like his others, this is a beautifully realized film with an excellent budget and meticulous attention paid to every detail, ensuring the cast looked their best and the story was brought about with taste and credibility.

I've always liked this glossy, good-looking movie. However I must say I personally don't think Anthony Quinn was right for the role of the doctor. Gregory Peck, with his noble features and polished manner, would have brought an interesting dimension to that part.

Beautiful sets, hair styles, clothes, cars, manners and language. A delight to behold. Enjoy.

La jena di Londra (1964)

Leisurely paced atmosphere piece

[7/10 · 25 July 2012]

The Italians made many excellent and highly atmospheric Gothic thrillers during the 1960s. "Hyena of London" was produced in 1964, at the peak of the genre's popularity. Like the films of Bava, etc., it benefits from historic European locations, authentic costumes, fine manners and moody scoring.

What prevents this entry from being as popular as say, "Castle of Blood" or "The Whip and the Body" is its script. Though marketed as a thriller most of the film is straight drama, with the macabre scenes confined to the film's beginning and end.

Watching this made me recall "Terror Creatures from the Grave," which originally was the bottom half of a 1965 double feature with "Bloody Pit of Horror." It had much of the same film noir ambiance and class.

"Hyena of London" is definitely not for everyone, but a good bet for fans of '60s Euro-thrillers or Tony Kendall.