Post by malus on Nov 10, 2013 13:26:21 GMT -5
Wrastling with my own dream demons last night.
Played word association with Google instead of slept.
Ended up on UDO KIER! A FANTASTIC actor who should be on the Johnny Drama list, IMHO! I love that dude!
Re-Found, through Udo Kier, the fantastic and sadly short lived Showtime series, Masters of Horror.
Started thinking about all the horror-anthology style series I’ve enjoyed! There have been a few! I was inspired by Sean's enthusiasm for Freddy's Nightmares. ;D I’m finding there are quite a few interesting sounding shows I may have missed!
A short list-
-Alfred Hitchcock Presents (1955 – 1962)
Can you make ANY anthology list without including this series? Not horror, in the strictest sense I guess, but a good beginning. And who isn't creeped out by Hitchcock himself, the creepiest part of the whole show! 266 episodes.
-Twilight Zone (original 1959 – 1964), (1st revival 1985-1989), (2nd revival 2002 – 2003)
Epic Anthology series that makes me want to smoke REALLY REALLY badly! Ugh! Thanks Rod Serling. Has its own theme park ride. Who can beat that?!? Just Sayin'.
- The Outer Limits (original 1963 – 1965), (revival 1995 – 2002)
Another classic anthology like Twilight Zone, but more Sci-Fi based. If you are a big Star Trek fan, you may want to read the wiki on The Outer Limits for some interesting trivia involving reused monsters, props, and actors! Anyone else a big fan of Harlan Ellison? I was a committed fan of the revival. I’m going to have to download these. 49 original, 154 revival episodes.
-Night Gallery (1970 – 1973)
Horror anthology, like Twilight Zone, featured Rod Serling introducing episodes. While he did not have creative control over this series, he did help write a number of the episodes. Includes the directorial debut of Spielberg and final performance of Joan Crawford. 43 episodes.
-Beasts (1976)
Six “teleplays”, (someone save me a Google and tell me what a “teleplay” is?), all unconnected but for a “bestial” horror theme. IDK, sounds good. I wanna watch some teleplays. These episode synopses look pretty interesting too. 1- “Special Offer” Unrequited love leads to supernatural revenge. 2- “During Barty’s Party” Rats. 3- “Buddyboy” Ghost dolphin. 4- “Baby” Pregnant women ARE scary. 5- “What Big Eyes” Werewolf. 6- “The Dummy” What happens to a guy who only plays monsters in movies?
-Fantasy Island (1977 – 1984)
Totally serious! This schlitt scared the hell out of me! Fun bit of trivia: my Uncle was often one of the Hawaiians playing music in the beginning of the series, also a random “atmosphere extra” from time to time. I’m not sure if this strictly adheres to the lists theme of anthology based horror series, but I think it’s there in spirit.
-Hammer House of Horror (1980)
The British. And their SCARY teeth!!! If horror anthologies exist, then there must be a Hammer version of them, AAAAaaaand here it is! I haven’t seen these, but since the whole run is only 13 episodes long, I think it’s definitely worth a download! If Wiki says: “Cannibals”; I say, “I’m there!”
-Darkroom (1981 – 1982)
A short lived horror anthology. I didn’t remember this one at all until I read James Coburn’s intro narrative: "You're in a house. Maybe your own...maybe one you've never seen before. Do you feel it? Something evil. You run, but there's no escape...nowhere to turn. You feel something beckoning you...drawing you into the terror that awaits you in the Darkroom!" 16 episodes.
-Tales from the Darkside (1983 – 1988)
Wiki says this horror anthology show was inspired by the success of Romero’s Creepshow! Dabbled a bit in Sci-Fi as well as horror. 89 episodes.
-Amazing Stories (1985 – 1987)
I loved this series. Not completely horror, but often had some scary or intense themes. All available on Netflix according to Wiki. I loved the opener for this series. How did it last for only 2 seasons? Uff!
-Friday the 13th, the series. (1987 – 1990)
OMG! Like many little girls who watched this show, I’m sure most of my fascination was with Louise Robey’s AMAZING HAIR!!! I’m really stretching the anthology side of things now- actually, this wasn’t an anthology show at all, but I loved it SOOOO much as a kid, I had to put it here. Plot: 3 owners of an antique shop track down demonically cursed/ posesssed antiques to put them safely in their store’s vault. Sound familiar anyone? 72 episodes.
-Monsters (1988 – 1991)
Spin off of Tales From the Darkside. Both series shared producers. This show was more strictly horror oriented. More focus on black comedy and ironic plot twists. 72 episodes.
-Freddy’s Nightmares (pretty much just 1989)
I think Sean has this pretty much covered. Incidentally, TVAMD cast, (sans Sean), there are only 44 episodes you haven’t watched! What is TOTALLY cool about this series, and I don’t think I’ve heard y’all talk about it yet, is how some of the major characters from the second part of these episodes are minor characters from the first part of the episode. I think that was a totally neat device!
-Tales from the Crypt (1989 – 1996)
Horror anthology series on HBO. 93 Episodes. AND A SATURDAY MORNING CARTOON. Hellz yah. Bad-Ass host, you know him, you love him- The Cryptkeeper.
-Nightmare Café (1992)
Directed by Wes Craven. 6 episodes of Robert Englund as “Blackie the Mentor”, aiding two regular characters trapped in an all night café who upon their death help other lost souls get one last chance to right wrongs from their past. Craven apparently was looking for a Twilight Zone meets Cheers but the series got cancelled before getting off the ground.
-Masters of Horror (2005 – 2007)
This series began when a group of horror movie directors met for a casual dinner one evening in the “valley” in Los Angeles. Noting their admiration for each other, they brainstormed the idea of each creating 1 hour movies for an anthology which became, Masters of Horror. Sadly, there were only 26 of these episodes filmed, including Jenifer, by Argento, which you can watch on Netflix if you are so inclined. Cigarette Burns, is the episode featuring Udo Kier, directed by John Carpenter, which led me to start making a list on my favorite horror series. And here we are.
-American Horror Story (2011 – Present)
Doing a little research and fact checking for my list I came across this series. Each season is one complete story. Season #1 takes place in a haunted house and is centered on the theme of family and infidelity. Season #2 takes place in a mental institution and is centered on the theme of sanity. Aliens and demonic possession run amok. Season #3 takes place at a school in New Orleans and pits witches against the practitioners of voodoo. It is centered on the oppression of minorities. Sounds interesting! Anyone watch this?
--------------------------------
Ok. This is a good start. I never really put these all together in one list in my head or on paper, so its neat to see how they thematically connect. There are certainly a number of connecting strands that run between some. The "moral at the end of the story", being the architect of your own damnation, second chances, redemption, and the old fashioned delight in a thrilling sick out! ;D
Please add any of your favorites that I may have missed.
<3
Edit: Spleling.
Played word association with Google instead of slept.
Ended up on UDO KIER! A FANTASTIC actor who should be on the Johnny Drama list, IMHO! I love that dude!
Re-Found, through Udo Kier, the fantastic and sadly short lived Showtime series, Masters of Horror.
Started thinking about all the horror-anthology style series I’ve enjoyed! There have been a few! I was inspired by Sean's enthusiasm for Freddy's Nightmares. ;D I’m finding there are quite a few interesting sounding shows I may have missed!
A short list-
-Alfred Hitchcock Presents (1955 – 1962)
Can you make ANY anthology list without including this series? Not horror, in the strictest sense I guess, but a good beginning. And who isn't creeped out by Hitchcock himself, the creepiest part of the whole show! 266 episodes.
-Twilight Zone (original 1959 – 1964), (1st revival 1985-1989), (2nd revival 2002 – 2003)
Epic Anthology series that makes me want to smoke REALLY REALLY badly! Ugh! Thanks Rod Serling. Has its own theme park ride. Who can beat that?!? Just Sayin'.
- The Outer Limits (original 1963 – 1965), (revival 1995 – 2002)
Another classic anthology like Twilight Zone, but more Sci-Fi based. If you are a big Star Trek fan, you may want to read the wiki on The Outer Limits for some interesting trivia involving reused monsters, props, and actors! Anyone else a big fan of Harlan Ellison? I was a committed fan of the revival. I’m going to have to download these. 49 original, 154 revival episodes.
-Night Gallery (1970 – 1973)
Horror anthology, like Twilight Zone, featured Rod Serling introducing episodes. While he did not have creative control over this series, he did help write a number of the episodes. Includes the directorial debut of Spielberg and final performance of Joan Crawford. 43 episodes.
-Beasts (1976)
Six “teleplays”, (someone save me a Google and tell me what a “teleplay” is?), all unconnected but for a “bestial” horror theme. IDK, sounds good. I wanna watch some teleplays. These episode synopses look pretty interesting too. 1- “Special Offer” Unrequited love leads to supernatural revenge. 2- “During Barty’s Party” Rats. 3- “Buddyboy” Ghost dolphin. 4- “Baby” Pregnant women ARE scary. 5- “What Big Eyes” Werewolf. 6- “The Dummy” What happens to a guy who only plays monsters in movies?
-Fantasy Island (1977 – 1984)
Totally serious! This schlitt scared the hell out of me! Fun bit of trivia: my Uncle was often one of the Hawaiians playing music in the beginning of the series, also a random “atmosphere extra” from time to time. I’m not sure if this strictly adheres to the lists theme of anthology based horror series, but I think it’s there in spirit.
-Hammer House of Horror (1980)
The British. And their SCARY teeth!!! If horror anthologies exist, then there must be a Hammer version of them, AAAAaaaand here it is! I haven’t seen these, but since the whole run is only 13 episodes long, I think it’s definitely worth a download! If Wiki says: “Cannibals”; I say, “I’m there!”
-Darkroom (1981 – 1982)
A short lived horror anthology. I didn’t remember this one at all until I read James Coburn’s intro narrative: "You're in a house. Maybe your own...maybe one you've never seen before. Do you feel it? Something evil. You run, but there's no escape...nowhere to turn. You feel something beckoning you...drawing you into the terror that awaits you in the Darkroom!" 16 episodes.
-Tales from the Darkside (1983 – 1988)
Wiki says this horror anthology show was inspired by the success of Romero’s Creepshow! Dabbled a bit in Sci-Fi as well as horror. 89 episodes.
-Amazing Stories (1985 – 1987)
I loved this series. Not completely horror, but often had some scary or intense themes. All available on Netflix according to Wiki. I loved the opener for this series. How did it last for only 2 seasons? Uff!
-Friday the 13th, the series. (1987 – 1990)
OMG! Like many little girls who watched this show, I’m sure most of my fascination was with Louise Robey’s AMAZING HAIR!!! I’m really stretching the anthology side of things now- actually, this wasn’t an anthology show at all, but I loved it SOOOO much as a kid, I had to put it here. Plot: 3 owners of an antique shop track down demonically cursed/ posesssed antiques to put them safely in their store’s vault. Sound familiar anyone? 72 episodes.
-Monsters (1988 – 1991)
Spin off of Tales From the Darkside. Both series shared producers. This show was more strictly horror oriented. More focus on black comedy and ironic plot twists. 72 episodes.
-Freddy’s Nightmares (pretty much just 1989)
I think Sean has this pretty much covered. Incidentally, TVAMD cast, (sans Sean), there are only 44 episodes you haven’t watched! What is TOTALLY cool about this series, and I don’t think I’ve heard y’all talk about it yet, is how some of the major characters from the second part of these episodes are minor characters from the first part of the episode. I think that was a totally neat device!
-Tales from the Crypt (1989 – 1996)
Horror anthology series on HBO. 93 Episodes. AND A SATURDAY MORNING CARTOON. Hellz yah. Bad-Ass host, you know him, you love him- The Cryptkeeper.
-Nightmare Café (1992)
Directed by Wes Craven. 6 episodes of Robert Englund as “Blackie the Mentor”, aiding two regular characters trapped in an all night café who upon their death help other lost souls get one last chance to right wrongs from their past. Craven apparently was looking for a Twilight Zone meets Cheers but the series got cancelled before getting off the ground.
-Masters of Horror (2005 – 2007)
This series began when a group of horror movie directors met for a casual dinner one evening in the “valley” in Los Angeles. Noting their admiration for each other, they brainstormed the idea of each creating 1 hour movies for an anthology which became, Masters of Horror. Sadly, there were only 26 of these episodes filmed, including Jenifer, by Argento, which you can watch on Netflix if you are so inclined. Cigarette Burns, is the episode featuring Udo Kier, directed by John Carpenter, which led me to start making a list on my favorite horror series. And here we are.
-American Horror Story (2011 – Present)
Doing a little research and fact checking for my list I came across this series. Each season is one complete story. Season #1 takes place in a haunted house and is centered on the theme of family and infidelity. Season #2 takes place in a mental institution and is centered on the theme of sanity. Aliens and demonic possession run amok. Season #3 takes place at a school in New Orleans and pits witches against the practitioners of voodoo. It is centered on the oppression of minorities. Sounds interesting! Anyone watch this?
--------------------------------
Ok. This is a good start. I never really put these all together in one list in my head or on paper, so its neat to see how they thematically connect. There are certainly a number of connecting strands that run between some. The "moral at the end of the story", being the architect of your own damnation, second chances, redemption, and the old fashioned delight in a thrilling sick out! ;D
Please add any of your favorites that I may have missed.
<3
Edit: Spleling.
