Did You Know?
The series was originally envisioned as a trilogy story feature film. This was changed to a television program because the producers feared it would bomb as a movie, as trilogy-style horror films rarely had success at the box office.
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The introduction sequence that started every episode through the Cryptkeeper's home is actually the size of a miniature golf course green. Small "snorkel" cameras were used to film this portion. The descent into the crypt in the end of the intro is computer generated.
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While animatronics expert/puppetmaster Kevin Yagher was in the final stages of designing the Cryptkeeper, he tried on a few noses to see which would look best for the character - who had already shed lips, hair and most of his teeth - but none looked quite right. Director and producer Robert Zemeckis simply remarked, "You know, you don't necessarily have to have a nose."
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It took six puppeteers to operate the Cryptkeeper during his scenes, four puppeteers alone just for his facial expressions.
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John Kassir, voice of the Cryptkeeper, often had to swallow lemon juice and honey to sooth his throat after doing his lines.
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At William Gaines request, director Robert Zemeckis coaxed a bloodcurdling scream from Mary Ellen Trainor in the closing scene of "And All Through the House."
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For the episodes they directed, Walter Hill ("Cutting Cards") and Joel Silver ("Split Personality") studied the comic book originals they were based on and used them to plan out their shots.
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The show was originally only planned for three seasons, but it proved so popular it lasted seven. Series creator William Gaines only lived to see season three.
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Walter Hill cast William Sadler in the lead for "The Man Who Was Death" only if Sadler promised to perform exactly way he did for the audition.
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John Kassir came up with the trademark voice of the Cryptkeeper himself. When Kassir auditioned for the part, the producers loved it so much they almost immediately chose him.
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The concept for the movie The Frighteners was originally going to be a TFTC film, but Robert Zemeckis loved the script so much that he had it spun off with Peter Jackson directing.
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