I was thinking back to a horror type film that would now be considered a classic. This is actually a horror anthology of different tales. If you liked the television series “Tales from the Crypt” which aired on the HBO network, which was based upon the comic books published by EC Comics in the 1950’s. Then you will more than likely enjoy this film. Creepshow was considered a sleeper hit film earning 21 million overall domestically. The film was directed by horror man George A. Romero who is best known for Night of the Living Dead (1968). There also was remake of the film which Romero helped write the screenplay for with the same working title Night of the Living Dead (1990).
Creepshow (1982) was written by author Stephen King who also stars as one of the characters in one of the segments titled “The Lonesome Death of Jordy Verrill”. There are a number of appearances of upcoming actors during this time with a mix of established actors as well in each of these segments. I think you will enjoy seeing them in these particular roles.
The film opens with a young boy named Billy played by Joe King who is the real life son of Stephen King, he is scolded by his father Stan played by Tom Atkins for reading the horror comic “Creepshow”. Afterwards, the film cuts to the first sequence titled “Father’s Day” which is a disturbing tale of a disgruntled family. The cast of “Father’s Day” includes: Carrie Nye as Sylvia Grantham, Viveca Lindfors as Aunt Bedelia, Ed Harris as Hank Blaine, Warner Shook as Richard Grantham, Elizabeth Regan as Cass Blaine, Jon Lormer as Nathan Grantham, Nann Mogg as Mrs. Danvers, Peter Messer as Yarbro, and John Amplas as Nathan’s Corpse.
The second sequence is titled “The Lonesome Death of Jordy Verrill” originally titled “Weeds” was written specifically for this film. The story involves a simple minded foolish farmer played by Stephen King, named Jordy Verrill who gets more than he bargains for while trying to sell a meteorite which lands nearby at his home (farm) to get enough money for a college bank loan.
The third sequence is titled “Something to Tide You Over” which features as younger Leslie Nielsen as Richard Vickers, his wife Becky played by Gaylen Ross and a younger Ted Danson as Harry Wentworth. They end up in a love triangle gone wrong which you might find disturbingly creepy.
The fourth sequence is titled “The Crate” that stars Hal Holbrook as a college professor named Henry Northrup, scream queen Adrienne Barbeau appears as Wilma Northrup, Fritz Weaver is Dexter Stanley, Robert Harper is Charlie Gereson, Don Keefer appears as Mike the Janitor, Christine Forrest is Tabitha Raymond, Chuck Aber is Richard Raymond, Cletus Anderson is the Host, and Katie Karlovitz is the Maid.
The final fifth sequence titled “They’re Creeping Up On You!” was written by Stephen King specifically for the film ending. The main character suffers from Mysophobia a phobia about dirt and germs, soon enough he finds out just how far things can go. The character Upson Pratt is played by E.G. Marshall. David Early also appears in this as the character “White”.
There are a few other appearances throughout the film by actors who were uncredited for their work these include: Tom Atkins as Stan (segments “Prologue” / “Epilogue”), John Colicos as Doctor (segment “The Lonely Death of Jordy Verrill”), Darryl Ferrucci as Fluffy (segment “The Crate”), David Garrison as College Party Host (segment “The Crate”), Ann Muffly as Lenora Castonmeyer (segment “They’re Creeping Up On You”) (voice) and Charles Van Eman as Bartender (segment “The Crate”)
If you are interested in reading the graphic novel there was one printed after the release of the film published by Penguin. Overall, I think you will find this to be a creepy viewing experience and worthwhile to see.
I just finished watching this one again. Over the years, I’ve seen this film a number of times, each time it is just as good. This movie delivers very well, and is slightly better than the original in my opinion. This is quite unusual, but there are some sequels that outshine the first release. This was directed by Richard Lester and Richard Donner who was uncredited. A number of writers worked on the screenplay which includes Mario Puzo, David Newman, and Leslie Newman. The character writing was done by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster. Mario Puzo also worked on the story as well.
The original cast returns again which is a wonderful thing. I along with everyone else would not have wanted a new person playing Superman other than the late Christopher Reeve, who will forever be remembered for his role. Margot Kidder returns as well as Lois Lane the reporter who seemingly always gets into some kind of trouble and various situations. Jackie Cooper appears again as Perry White, and Marc McClure as Jimmy Olsen.
Ned Beatty also returns as Otis the bumbling stooge sidekick to Lex Luthor played by Gene Hackman the arch enemy of Superman. Valerie Perrine returns as Luthor’s right arm woman named Eve Teschmacher. They cook up a scheme to break out of jail and start to cause more mischief for Superman. That is the least of his problems however, as he faces three new threats from his home planet of Krypton. They are set free from a crazy scenario taking place in Paris, France originally. I will leave out further details you will have to see for yourself. If you have seen the first Superman, then you might remember these criminals. They are played by Terence Stamp as General Zod, he is accompanied by Ursa played by Sarah Douglas and Jack O’Halloran as Non. Together they make a dynamic trio of rival villains.
You will also see a number of other appearances in this such as E.G. Marshall playing the President of the United States, Clifton James as a Sheriff, Susannah York as Lara, Leueen Willoughby as Leueen, and Robin Pappas as Alice. I think this is a landmark film for special effects, and was quite visually appealing as well with the cinematography which was done by Geoffrey Unsworth.
If you enjoy action/adventure movies and comic book characters then you will surely enjoy watching this one. I did, and my wife as well.
