Mournin' Mess (31 Jul. 1991)

There's a killer on the loose who preys on the homeless. Dale Sweeney is a recently fired reporter. He's approached by a homeless man named Robert who is accused of committing these murders... See full summary »

Director:

Manny Coto

Writer:

Manny Coto (screenplay)

Stars:

Steven Weber, Rita Wilson, Ally Walker

Cast

Episode cast overview:
Steven Weber	...	Dale Sweeney
Rita Wilson	...	Jess Gilchrist
Ally Walker	...	Elaine Tillman
Vincent Schiavelli	...	Robert
Nick Angotti	...	Copard
Frank Kopyc	...	Climsky
John Kassir	...	Crypt Keeper (voice)
Stack Pierce	...	Dancer
Gary Pagett	...	Minister
Jacqylyn Moet	...	Woman

Storyline

There's a killer on the loose who preys on the homeless. Dale Sweeney is a recently fired reporter. He's approached by a homeless man named Robert who is accused of committing these murders. He tells Dale that he will give him the whole story with names to help prove his innocence if Dale will go the Grateful Homeless Cemetery and hang out until sunset then meet him after. Dale gets sidetracked by Jess Gilchrist, the spokesperson for the Grateful Homeless Society. By the time he meets up with Robert, he finds he has become the latest victim of the homeless killer. Dale is on his own to uncover the identity of the killer.

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Plot Keywords:

reporter | cemetery | homeless person | shovel | severed hand | 

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Genres:

Comedy | Crime | Horror | Mystery | Thriller

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

31 July 1991 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Home Box Office (HBO), Tales From The Crypt Holdings

Technical Specs

Runtime:

27 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Quotes

Copard: Good evening, Mr. Sweeney. Nice of you to drop by for dinner.
Dale Sweeney: Who the hell are you people?
Copard: Well, that depends. 'Til recently we were known as the infamous homeless killer. But now you may refer to us as the Grateful Homeless Outcasts and Unwanted Layaway Society.
Dale Sweeney: Ghouls?
Copard: It's been so long since we've had fresh meat...

User Reviews

Small tribute to the great Vincent Schiavelli

Recently, a great and hugely charismatic actor named Vincent Schiavelli passed away the rather young age of 57 years old. Schiavelli was a very underrated actor, who appeared in over 150 films and TV-shows, but he nearly always played supportive roles or appeared in cameos and therefore he never got the credit he really deserved. Yet, his starring was always memorable because he played eccentric characters in his very own and unique style. From his entire and versatile repertoire, one of my favorite Vincent Schiavelli roles has got to be in the legendary Tales from the Crypt episode called "Mournin' Mess". Here he plays a homeless guy who's wanted for murder, but he discovers a morbid conspiracy that camouflages itself as a charitable institution. He then tips off unemployed journalist Steven Weber who hopes to have a scoop with the story. Vincent Schiavelli only appears in two extended sequences, but he looks genuinely scary with his bizarre eyes and untidy hygiene. Many Coto (writer and director of the outrageous mini-classic "Dr. Giggles") solidly directed the episode that also contains a couple of cheerful gore-effects and a delightfully absurd twist in the end. Vincent Schiavelli played in several important cinema milestones, such as "One Flew over the Cuckoo's Nest", "Amadeus" and "Ghost", but we certainly won't forget the smaller, more horror-oriented parts he played. This comment is for you, Vincent…