Tales from the Darkside: The Movie (1990)

A young boy tells three stories of horror to distract a witch who plans to eat him.

Director:

John Harrison

Writers:

Michael McDowell, Arthur Conan Doyle (short story "Lot 249")

Stars:

Debbie Harry, Matthew Lawrence, Christian Slater

1 win.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Debbie Harry	...	Betty (wraparound story) (as Deborah Harry)
David Forrester	...	Priest (wraparound story)
Matthew Lawrence	...	Timmy (wraparound story)
Christian Slater	...	Andy (segment "Lot 249")
Robert Sedgwick	...	Lee (segment "Lot 249")
Steve Buscemi	...	Bellingham (segment "Lot 249")
Donald Van Horn	...	Moving Man (segment "Lot 249")
Michael Deak	...	Mummy (segment "Lot 249")
Julianne Moore	...	Susan (segment "Lot 249")
George Guidall	...	Museum Director (segment "Lot 249")
Kathleen Chalfant	...	Dean (segment "Lot 249")
Ralph Marrero	...	Cabbie (segment "Lot 249")
David Johansen	...	Halston (segment "Cat From Hell")
Paul Greeno	...	Cabbie (segment "Cat From Hell")
William Hickey	...	Drogan (segment "Cat From Hell")

Storyline

This is really three shorter movies, bound together by a fourth tale in which the other three stories are read. The first segment features an animated mummy stalking selected student victims; the second tale tells the story of a "cat from Hell" who cannot be killed and leaves a trail of victims behind it; the third story is about a man who witnesses a bizarre killing and promises never to tell what he saw, and the "in-between" bit is the story of a woman preparing to cook her newspaper boy for supper.

---

Plot Keywords:

hitman | based on tv series | secret | gargoyle | mummy | 

---

Taglines:

Brace yourself for some KILLER stories.

---

Genres:

Comedy | Fantasy | Horror | Thriller

---

Certificate:

R

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

4 May 1990 (USA)

Also Known As:

Tales from the Darkside: The Movie

Filming Locations:

Bronxville, New York, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$3,500,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$5,028,096, 6 May 1990

Gross USA:

$16,324,573

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$16,324,573

Company Credits

Production Co:

Paramount Pictures, Laurel Productions, Darkside Movie

Technical Specs

Runtime:

93 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The second story, titled "The Cat From Hell" (written by Stephen King and adapted for the screen by George A. Romero) was originally intended for Creepshow 2 (1987). The story was later dropped due to budgetary reasons.

---

Goofs

When Betty is snipping some flowers in the wraparound story, before the final story, the buds are all closed. In the nest shot they're all open.

---

Quotes

Wyatt: [to Carola] You know, you saved Preston from people like me.
Preston: She saved me from myself.
Wyatt: Time to go. This kind of sincerity is bad for my self-image.

---

Connections

Features Dawn of the Dead (1978)

---

Soundtracks

Tales from the Darkside (Original Theme)
Composed by Donald Rubinstein (as Donald A. Rubinstein) and Erica Lindsay

User Reviews

One Of The Better Horror Movies Of The 90's!

If your a fan of Tales From The Crypt or Creepshow then Tales From The Darkside: The Movie is a must see! All three stories are highly enjoyable the last story Lovers Vow is great a honor to the now late Michael McDowell. Lot 249 also features great performances from Christian Slater,Steve Buscemi,and Julianne Moore. The second story Cat from Hell is enjoyable and is one of William Hickey's last roles.A great horror movie to watch over and over one of the best ever made.