Mean old miser Gideon Hackles (a marvelously persnickety performance by Barnard Hughes) spends Halloween hiding IOU's from various townspeople indebted to him in his reportedly haunted house. Hackles invites the local kids into his home to try and find said IOU's. However, this year Hackles gets his comeuppance in the form of several unexpected late-night visitors. Director Bob Balaban, working from a tight and to the point script by Franco Amurri and George Romero, relates the entertaining story at a snappy pace and astutely nails the spooky ooga-booga atmosphere of the Halloween season. A cast of familiar faces that includes Eddie Jones, Max Wright, and Joshua Miller adds immensely to the overall entertainment value. Frances Chaney contributes a winningly robust'n'wicked turn as a grotesque cackling witch. Ed French not only provides some gnarly make-up, but also plays the Devil. However, it's Hughes' deliciously nasty portrayal of one detestable old goat that makes this episode hum; it's a real treat to see this hateful bastard receive his just desserts at the end. Strongest sequence: Hackles mercilessly torments the brave, but frightened Timothy Muldoon (well played by Patrick Wilcox). A sound start for this neat show.
Review of Trick or Treat (Pilot)
