American Dark Fantasy Television Series Codexery

Tales from the Darkside

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The series explored themes similar to the 1982 film Creepshow but discarded that film's framing device and other comic-book-based elements.[1][2]

Making and release

The series was developed by Laurel Entertainment after the moderate success of the film Creepshow.[1] CBS partially financed the pilot but passed on purchasing the series.[3] Tales from the Darkside was a bi-coastal production, with some episodes shot in Long Island City and others in Los Angeles.[4] The series aired in first-run syndication through the barter deal method, distributed by LBS Communications and Tribune Entertainment.[5]

Because Warner Bros. was said to hold rights to certain Creepshow components, Laurel chose to exclude those elements.[2] Twelve episodes of the 1985 season were filmed in Long Island City, and another twelve were shot in Los Angeles.[4] The filming of most episodes took under four days.[6] Erica Lindsay and Donald Rubinstein collaborated on the music for the opening and closing themes, which Rubinstein performed.[7]

For the second season, Ken Lauber was brought in to compose the scores.[7]

What the cited sources add

A review in Variety of the pilot praised the writing for both adults and children, as well as the acting of Barnard Hughes, Frances Chaney, and Bill McNulty.[8] John J. O'Connor of The New York Times praised Hughes' performance but said the show "is not in the same league as Alfred Hitchcock Presents."[9] Harris expressed disappointment that Romero didn't seem involved beyond the pilot.[10] Robin Bromley of Twilight Zone Magazine was impressed with the second season's story selection.[11]

Bill Warren of Twilight Zone Magazine said the third season's quality varied and stories were "sometimes incoherent."[12] Paul Corupe of Rue Morgue found the first season DVD sets disappointing, stating "the show's meagre budget probably would have made Ed Wood blush."[13] In Cinefantastique, Judith P. Harris reviewed the first season and deemed "Inside the Closet" the sole episode of interest.[10]

References

  1. Wikipedia, "Tales from the Darkside" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: R. Klein 1982; Maddrey 2004, p. 127 (original not read by us) en.wikipedia.org
  2. Wikipedia, "Tales from the Darkside" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: Vasquez Jr 2020 (original not read by us) en.wikipedia.org
  3. Wikipedia, "Tales from the Darkside" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: Variety 1984 (original not read by us) en.wikipedia.org
  4. Wikipedia, "Tales from the Darkside" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: Farber 1986; Kaufman 1985 (original not read by us) en.wikipedia.org
  5. Wikipedia, "Tales from the Darkside" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: Variety March 1987; Dempsey 1987, p. 68 (original not read by us) en.wikipedia.org
  6. Wikipedia, "Tales from the Darkside" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: Turner 1986; Blauner 1987 (original not read by us) en.wikipedia.org
  7. Wikipedia, "Tales from the Darkside" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: Variety June 13, 1985 (original not read by us) en.wikipedia.org
  8. Wikipedia, "Tales from the Darkside" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: Loft 1983 (original not read by us) en.wikipedia.org
  9. Wikipedia, "Tales from the Darkside" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: O'Connor 1983 (original not read by us) en.wikipedia.org
  10. Wikipedia, "Tales from the Darkside" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: Harris 1985 (original not read by us) en.wikipedia.org
  11. Wikipedia, "Tales from the Darkside" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: Bromley 1986, p. 95 (original not read by us) en.wikipedia.org
  12. Wikipedia, "Tales from the Darkside" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: Warren 1987, p. 55 (original not read by us) en.wikipedia.org
  13. Wikipedia, "Tales from the Darkside" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: Corupe 2009 (original not read by us) en.wikipedia.org

Each numbered sentence above was checked against the source it cites before publication. Sentences citing Wikipedia adapt text from the English Wikipedia article Tales from the Darkside (contributors), used under CC BY-SA 4.0; this entry is available under the same licence. Other sources were used for facts only; no text or images are copied from them.

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Sources

Compiled from Wikipedia and the sources listed below. Text from Wikipedia is available under CC BY-SA 4.0; this entry is adapted from it.

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