Tales From The Crypt Presents: Demon Knight (1995)

Title: TALES FROM THE CRYPT PRESENTS: DEMON KNIGHT
Starring: Billy Zane, William Sadler, Jada Pinkett, Brenda Bakke, CCH Pounder, Thomas Haden Church
Directed By: Ernest Dickerson
Release Year: 1995
VHS Release Year: 1995
Distributor: MCA Universal Home Video
Box Type: Slipcase
Catalog #: 82325

Released in 1995 by MCA Universal Home Video.

There are no trailers prior to the feature.

Unlike the HBO TV series which for the most part were based on stories from EC Comics, this is a feature length film based on an original story.

In original drafts for this film, there were several demons littered throughout, then after producers felt many demons would mean higher cost, later drafts featured no demons at all, being replaced with guys in dark suits wearing sunglasses. Director Ernest Dickerson found ways to get the demons back into the film because he felt making a film called "Demon Knight" with no demons would be an insult to the genre. (I wrote this blurb on TV.COM when I edited the Tales From The Crypt page, so I'm reusing it here).

William Sadler also appeared in the episodes "The Man Who Was Death" and "The Assassin" and as the Mummy in the Crypt Keeper segments in the second Crypt film, "Tales From The Crypt Presents: Bordello Of Blood".

Billy Zane also appeared in the Crypt episode, "Well Cooked Hams".

Filter's "Hey Man, Nice Shot" is featured when Brayker is driving during the opening scene.

The Outer Limits: The Mice (1964)

Title: THE OUTER LIMITS: THE MICE
Starring: Henry Silva, Dabney Coleman, Diana Sands, Michael Higgins
Directed By: Alan Crosland, Jr.
Release Year: 1964
VHS Release Year: 1990
Distributor: MGM/UA Home Video
Box Type: Slipcase
Catalog #: M201810

Released in 1990 by MGM/UA Home Video.

"The Mice" is the only episode from the 1960's science fiction anthology series, "The Outer Limits" on this cassette.

There are no previews/trailers prior to the feature.

Trilogy Of Terror (1975)

Title: Trilogy Of Terror
Starring: Karen Black, Robert Burton
Directed By: Dan Curtis
Release Year: 1975
VHS Release Year: 2000
Distributor: Anchor Bay Entertainment
Box Type: Slipcase
Catalog #: SV11212

Slipcase released in 2000 from Anchor Bay Entertainment.

Anchor Bay Entertainment also released a 'digitally mastered for optimum picture and sound' 'Collector's Edition' on VHS a year earlier featuring a Scott Michael Bosco interview with Karen Black.

MPI Home Video also released a VHS in a clamshell box in the early 80's.

This version is digitally mastered but does not contain the Karen Black interview.

There are no previews/trailers on this edition.

Last Updated: Sept. 28, 2015

Campfire Tales (1997)

Title: CAMPFIRE TALES
Starring: Amy Smart, James Marsden, Christine Taylor, Christopher K. Masterson
Directed By: David Semal, Martin Kunert & Matt Cooper
Release Year: 1997
VHS Release Year: 1998
Distributor: Alliance Video, New Line Home Video
Box Type: Slipcase
Catalog #: ARV 2610

Straight-to-video Canadian slipcase edition released in 1998 by Alliance Video.

The American New Line Home Video features a different ink label than this Canadian release. The film's logo appears on the U.S. label along with the New Line Home Video logo, The Canadian release features a basic Arial font along with the Alliance Video logo.

Not to be confused with the 1991 Gunnar Hanson film of the same name which also features a "Hook" story and similar anthology plot.

Contains a preview/trailer for the ridiculous 1998 C. Thomas Howell DTV flick, "Sleeping Dogs".

While this film was released during the first few years of DVD, it didn't get a North American DVD release till 2005.

Amy Smart & James Marsden were not stars at this point in their careers and only appear for a few minutes in "The Hook" story but are still featured prominently on the cover. Their names do not appear on the VHS cover but do appear for the DVD release.

The Outer Limits: Keeper Of The Purple Twilight

Title: The Outer Limits: Keeper Of The Purple Twilight
Starring: Warren Stevens, Robert Webber, Gail Kobe
Directed By: Charles Haas
Release Year: 1964
VHS Release Year: 1988
Distributor: MGM/UA Home Video
Box Type: Slipcase
Catalog #: M201261

1988 slipcase released by MGM/UA.

"Keeper Of The Purple Twilight" is the only episode from the 1960's science fiction anthology series, "The Outer Limits" on this cassette.

The original suggested U.S. retail price for this and other single episodes in the series was $14.95 (Prices slightly higher in Canada!!). Looking back, this is quite insane considering that complete seasons for most series' can now be purchased on DVD for less than that price.

Prior to the episode, there is a preview/trailer for three other "The Outer Limits" single episode cassettes, "Keeper Of The Purple Twilight", "Demon With A Glass Hand" & "The Zanti Misfits".

The cover shown in the preview for this episode is slightly different than the actual version.

Last Updated: Sept. 27, 2015

Twilight Zone: The Movie (1983)

Title: TwilightZone: The Movie
Starring: Scatman Crothers, Vic Morrow, Albert Brooks, Dan Aykroyd, John Lithgow
Directed By: George Miller, John Landis, Joe Dante, Steven Spielberg
Release Year: 1983
VHS Release Year: 1983
Distributor: Warner Bros. Home Video
Box Type: Clam shell
Catalog #: 11314

Released in a Warner Bros. clamshell in 1983.

It took about 10 years after the rise of DVD for this film to be released on that format in 2007.

This film has been released on VHS a few times, each with a slipcase and slight variations on the box art. This is the only time it has been released in this clamshell packaging as WB changed to slipcase around 1986 or so. This film is also available as part of the "Warner Bros. Hits" line in the early 90's.

Creepshow 2 (1987)

Title: Creepshow 2
Starring: Lois Chiles, George Kennedy, Dorothy Lamour, Tom Savini
Directed By: Michael Gornick
Release Year: 1987
VHS Release Year: 1996
Distributor: Starmaker Entertainment, HGV Video Productions, R & G Video
Box Type: Slipcase
Catalog #: 99112

Released in a slipcase in 1996 co-distributed by Starmaker Entertainment, HGV Video Productions, & R & G Video.

Part of the Collector's Edition, Gold Series from R & G Video.

Although this is co-distributed by Starmaker Entertainment, HGV Video Productions, & R & G Video, all companies notorious for releasing tapes in EP or LP mode, this version is in SP mode.

The ink label on the cassette features the HGV Video Productions logo only.

Duplicated, packaged and printed in Canada.

There are several VHS releases of this film from various companies.

There are two trailers for "Creepshow 2" prior to the feature. One of the trailers is an early "Currently in production" trailer using the original "Halloween" theme music.

Tales From The Hood

Title: Tales From The Hood
Starring: Corbin Bernsen, Rosalind Cash, David Allen Grier, Wings Hauser
Directed By: Rusty Cundieff
Release Year: 1995
VHS Release Year: 1995
Distributor: HBO Home Video
Box Type: Chromium Slipcase
Catalog #: 91217

Released in 1995 from HBO Video in a beautiful chromium slipcase.

Due to the box being chromium, it's a real bitch to get a clear quality scan.

I've come across several of these throughout the years and I think because the box is protected by a hard chromium shell attached to a cardboard slipcase, used copies of this are commonly found in great shape.

Contains previews for "Dr. Jekyll And Ms. Hyde" & "Last Of The Dogmen".

There is also a widescreen VHS released in 1998.

The widescreen VHS does not have the chromium slipcase.

Including the wraparound story, five "tales" comprise this feature.

The laserdisc release apparently had a commentary by the director, which for some reason, was not carried over to the actual now-OOP DVD. (Blurb submitted by ryan1234- thanks.)

Tales From The Darkside: The Movie

Title: Tales From The Darkside: The Movie
Starring: Christian Slater, David Johansen, William Hickey, James Remar, Deborah Harry, Rae Dawn Chong
Directed By: John Harrison
Release Year: 1990
VHS Release Year: 1990
Distributor: Paramount Home Video
Box Type: Slipcase
Catalog #: 32360

1990 slipcase Release from Paramount Home Video.

There is a preview/trailer for the 1990 Full Moon release, "Crash And Burn" prior to the "Feature Presentation".

There is also a version with the same box, sticker label, release year and catalog # that features trailers for "Crash And Burn" & "Red Blooded American Girl".

Tales From The Crypt: Volume 3

Title: TALES FROM THE CRYPT VOL. 3
Starring: Demi Moore, Kelly Preston, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Lance Henriksen, William Hickey
Directed By: Howard Deutch, Arnold Schwarzenegger, & Walter Hill
Release Year: 1992
VHS Release Year: 1992
Distributor: Warner Home Video
Box Type: Slipcase
Catalog #: 35320

This is a 1992 slipcase release distributed by Warner Home Video.

This is a collection of the first three episodes from season two of the HBO series, "Tales From The Crypt"

The three "tales" in this collection are "Dead Right", "The Switch" (Directed and with a brief cameo by Arnold Schwarzenegger), & the outstanding, "Cutting Cards".

The Warner Home Video ident is shown before the feature.

There are no previews before the feature.

This collection is titled, "Volume 3". The other two volumes in this series were released on VHS by HBO Video as "Tales From The Crypt" in 1989 & "All New! Tales From The Crypt" in 1990. Neither had "Volume" in it's title.

The episodes are edited together without their opening and end credits, each segments credits are edited together in a scrolling screen credit sequence, giving it more of a theatrical horror anthology feel.

The themes from each individual episode along with the main title theme by Danny Elfman are played over the end credits.

The opening intro for "Tales From The Crypt" usually opens with "Home Box Office Presents", however being that this is distributed by Warner Bros., this collection opens with "Warner Bros. Presents". The Tales From The Crypt logo also features a cheaply inserted "Vol. III" graphic below it's title.

Arnold Schwarzenegger made his directorial debut with "The Switch".

Rich Rossovich, who plays Hans/Carlton in "The Switch" also appeared with Arnold Schwarzenegger in "The Terminator". He played Ginger's (Sarah Connor's roomie) boyfriend.

Tales From The Crypt: Night Of Horror

Title: Tales From The Crypt: Night Of Horror
Starring: Michael J. Fox, Billy Wirth, Tia Carrere, Teri Garr, Michelle Johnson, Brion James
Directed By: Michael J. Fox, Russell Mulcahy, William Friedkin
Release Year: 1994
VHS Release Year: 1994
Distributor: Malofilm Video, New World Pictures, Republic Pictures Home Video
Box Type: Slipcase
Catalog #: 94086

This is a 1994 Canadian slipcase release co-distributed by Malofilm Video, New World Pictures & Republic Pictures Home Video.

This is a collection of three "tales" from various seasons of the HBO series, "Tales From The Crypt"

The three "tales" in this collection are "The Trap" (Directed and with a brief cameo by Michael J. Fox), "Split Second" & "On a Deadman's Chest".

"Split Second" is my all time favorite episode of "Tales From The Crypt".

Michelle Johnson didn't go on to be much of a star but she did have two amazing "assets" going for her. Yes, you see them in the "Split Second" segment and they are spectacular.

The Malofilm Video & New World International logo sequences are shown before the feature.

There are no previews before the feature.

The Republic Pictures Home Video logo only appears on the front ink label and not in the actual feature or the slipcase.

The episodes are edited together without their opening and end credits, giving it more of a theatrical horror anthology feel. Each segments credits are edited together following the last story, in the order of "On A Deadman's Chest", "Split second" & "The Trap". This is a reverse order of how the episodes are sequenced on the tape.

The intro for this collection retains the usual "Home Box Office Presents", however, the "Tales From The Crypt" title logo does not appear after the intro ends, it is placed somewhere in the middle with the "Night Of Horror" graphic below it.

Tales From The Crypt (1972) (UPDATED)

Title: Tales From The Crypt
Starring: Joan Collins, Peter Cushing, Sir Ralph Richardson
Directed By: Freddie Francis
Release Year: 1972
VHS Release Year: 1985
Distributor: Prism Entertainment
Box Type: Clam Shell
Catalog #: 1931

Released in 1985 in a clam shell by Prism Entertainment.

The first tale, starring Joan Collins, "And All Through The House" was adapted from the Johnny Craig story, "...And All Through The House..." from Vault Of Horror #35, Feb-March 1954. This story was also adapted as the second episode of the 1989 HBO Tales From The Crypt TV series starring Mary Ellen Trainor.

I personally feel the HBO episode of "And All Through The House" is much better than the Joan Collins version, especially the ending.

There are five "tales" in this film, "And All Through The House", "Reflection Of Death", "Poetic Justice", "Wish You Were Here" & "Blind Alleys".

My personal favorite is "Poetic Justice" starring Horror Legend, Peter Cushing. This vignette is also one of my top 5 adaptations of any EC story, be it from the Amicus films, or the HBO series. "Blind Alleys" is also a standout story.

The segments, "Wish You Were Here" & "Blind Alleys" were also adapted as episodes for the HBO series, both with alterations and title changes. "Wish You Were Here" an homage to "The Monkey's Paw" was adapted as "Last Respects" also directed by Freddie Francis and "Blind Alleys" was mashed-up with the similar story, "Revenge Is The Nuts", being renamed with that title.

This film was also released on VHS in 1989 from Starmaker Entertainment and in 1998 as part of the 20th Century Fox Selections collection.

It took until 2007 for this film to be released on DVD.

My scan of this also appears on the excellent website, VHS Wasteland to which I am a one of many cover contributors.(Cheap Plug)

Features previews for "Shock Waves" & "Dominique".

All New! Tales From The Crypt

Tales From The Crypt (1989)

Title: Tales From The Crypt
Distributer: HBO Video