Search - Tales from the Crypt: From Comic Books to Television on DVD


Tales from the Crypt: From Comic Books to Television
Tales from the Crypt From Comic Books to Television
Actors: John Carpenter, Joel Silver, George A. Romero, R.L. Stine
Director: Chip Selby
Genres: Horror, Educational, Documentary, Animation
NR     2004     4hr 0min

When William M. Gaines took over Entertaining Comics (EC) in 1947, the company was nothing special. That all changed three years later when Gaines and editor Al Feldstein decided to write horror stories. Kids and teens wen...  more »

     
3

Larger Image

Movie Details

Actors: John Carpenter, Joel Silver, George A. Romero, R.L. Stine
Director: Chip Selby
Genres: Horror, Educational, Documentary, Animation
Sub-Genres: Horror, Educational, History, Animation
Studio: CS Films, Inc.
Format: DVD - Color - Animated,Closed-captioned
DVD Release Date: 10/31/2004
Release Year: 2004
Run Time: 4hr 0min
Screens: Color
Number of Discs: 2
SwapaDVD Credits: 2
Total Copies: 0
Members Wishing: 6
MPAA Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Languages: English

Similar Movies

 

Movie Reviews

A GODSEND FOR EC FANS
popular culture lover | Travelers Rest, SC United States | 01/25/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is without peer, whether you'd like to learn about the EC comics of the 1950's, or if you're already a died in the wool fan who knows EC lore frontwards and backwards. The quality of the production is amazing, given the rather esoteric subject matter. And the second disc contains a wealth of information, additional interviews and the first face-to-face meeting between Al Feldstein and Ray Bradbury. Whatever you do, get this! EC for me, see."
Shouldn't people who write reviews first see the show?
Chuck Flemming | New York , NY USA | 03/29/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)

"John Q. Public is a perfect example of why Amazon should screen "customer" reviews. It's quite obvious that he never watched this documentary; if he thought EC comics and the HBO "Tales from the Crypt" series were "second rate," then why did he buy and watch this DVD in the first place? It is equally obvious from his other reviews that the sole purpose of his existence is to bash others (apparently he has it in for comic books - perhaps he had a traumatic experience reading Donald Duck as a kid).

As the editorial reviews attest, this documentary is hardly "cheaply done." Rather than "giving comics a bad name," this show shines a spotlight one of the most influential comic book companies of all time, and examines the controversy over horror comic books in the 1950s. Like the EC Comics themselves, this documentary is visually innovative, using vibrant montages and spectacular visual effects to highlight the original comic artwork. It is an exceptional program and highly recommended for fans of the original comic books, the later HBO television series, pop culture or even history buffs."
AN EC FAN MUST
David R. George | LAS VEGAS, NV | 03/19/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)

"Whether you're an original EC Fan-Addict or a second- or third-generation EC enthusiast, Tales from the Crypt: From Comic Books to Television is a film that should be at the top of your want list.

Chip Selby's obvious labor of love brought me right back to those glorious days of the 1950s when I would haunt the neighborhood candy store every Tuesday, awaiting the arrival of the latest EC comics.

Using EC artwork, hundreds of EC comic covers, and numerous clips from movie and TV series, the video flashes through the viewer's mind with colorful 3-D graphics to tell the whole story of the rise and fall of the greatest comic-book company that ever was.

Rare stills and film footage of EC founder Max Gaines and his son Bill Gaines give the viewer an "inside" peek at the origins of the New-Trend era. Complementing this rich visual tapestry of EC are numerous, insightful interviews with EC artists, comic-book historians and noted EC fans, including: Jack Davis, Al Williamson, Jack Kamen, colorist Marie Severin, Bob Overstreet, horror directors George Romero and John Carpenter, and Russ Cochran.

Actual footage of Bill Gaines testifying before a televised U.S. Senate subcommittee is priceless. Also included in the more than three hours of bonus material is a roundtable discussion between EC editor and artist Al Feldstein and famed science-fiction author Ray Bradbury. This fascinating discourse - moderated by comic-book historian Jerry Weist - is alone worth the price of admission.

Don't miss this one, folks!
"
Good Lord! Choke!!!
J. Goodman | San Francisco, CA | 04/22/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)

"If you are a died in the wool EC fan then the body of this set, the hour long documentary on EC, isn't going to tell you much that you don't already know. But having said that, it's still great to watch. The bonuses are the real value of this set. Mr. Selby has created a document that can proudly stand on any bookshelf with the likes of the fanzines Squa Tront, Spa Fon, the books Tales of Terror, Foul Play and the The EC Library! If you aren't a hardcore Fan-addict, then this dvd may just make you one. By all means buy this set and support the effort of Mr. Selby....you'll be glad you did!"