Tales from the Darkside

Lore & Background

The series originated from the 1982 film Creepshow, which was based on EC horror comic books. After the film's moderate success, producer Laurel Entertainment sought to create a television series, but Warner Bros. allegedly held rights to some Creepshow elements. Laurel proceeded with Tales from the Darkside, omitting the framing device and other comic-based elements while exploring similar themes. Episodes were adapted from works by authors including Clive Barker, Harlan Ellison, Robert Bloch, and Stephen King, with one King short story adapted: 'Word Processor of the Gods,' while 'Sorry, Right Number' was an original teleplay written by King himself.

Reader's Guide

Tales from the Darkside is significant as a low-budget syndicated anthology that outperformed higher-profile network shows like Steven Spielberg's Amazing Stories and the 1985 Twilight Zone revival. It maintained a cult following through its blend of horror, science fiction, and dark comedy, often with political commentary on gentrification and greed. The series faced union disputes in 1987 and a plagiarism allegation regarding its pilot episode, which Cinefantastique claimed was copied from a 1952 Donald Duck short. Its legacy includes a 1990 film and continued cable airings on the Sci Fi Channel from 1992 onward. The trademark for the series is held by Spelling Entertainment LLC as of 2020.

Did You Know?

• The pilot episode was alleged by Cinefantastique to be plagiarized from a 1952 Donald Duck short titled 'Trick or Treat.'
• Only one episode was based on a Stephen King short story: 'Word Processor of the Gods'; 'Sorry, Right Number' was an original teleplay written by King, not an adaptation.
• The opening sequence was filmed outside Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, including Clear Creek State Forest and areas near Boswell and Ligonier.
• The series outperformed higher-profile network anthology shows like Amazing Stories and the 1985 Twilight Zone revival despite being a low-budget syndicated program.