The Story of Tales From The Cryptkeeper: EC Comics, the HBO Show, the Game Show & Its Many Deaths

Summary

The video script delves into the history of 'Tales from the Crypt Keeper,' an animated series that aired in the 90s, known for its horror-themed stories with moral lessons. It traces the franchise's origins back to EC Comics, discusses the impact of the Comics Code Authority, and the series' various iterations, including an HBO live-action series and a game show. The script highlights the character's enduring popularity and its ability to adapt and resurrect across different media.

Takeaways

• 🎃 Halloween is a time to embrace fear and the fun of spooky creatures.
• 📺 'Tales from the Crypt Keeper' was an animated series that ran for two seasons in 1993 and 1994, known for its horror-themed storytelling with educational undertones.
• 👻 The show was set in the fictional Gravenhurst and was hosted by the Crypt Keeper, who introduced stories with moral lessons.
• 🤝 In the second season, the Crypt Keeper was joined by the Vault Keeper and the Old Witch, adding a competitive dynamic to the show.
• 📚 The series was educational, using supernatural elements to engage the audience and teach life lessons.
• 🔄 The show was revived in 1999 as 'New Tales from the Crypt Keeper' with 13 more episodes, demonstrating the franchise's resilience.
• 🕰️ The Crypt Keeper's origins date back to 1938 with the founding of a comic book publisher, which later became part of DC Comics.
• 📚 The character first appeared in a 1949 comic book, and the series 'Tales from the Crypt' was born, influencing the creation of the Comics Code Authority due to concerns over content.
• 🚫 The Comics Code Authority led to the decline of the horror comic genre, including 'Tales from the Crypt', but EC Comics survived by shifting to humor with 'MAD' magazine.
• 🧩 The franchise expanded into various merchandise, including action figures, board games, and a pinball machine, capitalizing on its pop culture status.
• 🎬 An HBO live-action series of the same name was successful, leading to feature films and further cementing the Crypt Keeper's iconic status.
• 🏆 The live-action series won awards and was known for its adult content, in contrast to the animated series aimed at children.
• 🔄 The franchise faced multiple 'deaths' and revivals, including the animated series' cancellation and the end of the HBO series, but it always found a way to return.
• 📽️ Attempts to revive the series continued into the 2010s, with various projects being proposed but ultimately not coming to fruition due to rights issues.

Q & A

What is the main theme of 'Tales from the Crypt Keeper'?

The main theme of 'Tales from the Crypt Keeper' is to celebrate the things that scare us the most, using horror conventions to deliver a lesson in morality under the guise of fear and humor.

When did 'Tales from the Crypt Keeper' originally air as an animated series?

'Tales from the Crypt Keeper' originally aired as an animated series in 1993 and 1994, running for 26 episodes over two seasons.

Who were the main characters introduced in the second season of 'Tales from the Crypt Keeper'?

In the second season, the Crypt Keeper was joined by rivals the Vault Keeper and the Old Witch, who compete for control of the show.

What was the original purpose of the 'Crypt Keeper' character in the EC Comics?

The original purpose of the 'Crypt Keeper' character in the EC Comics was to serve as the storyteller, tying the tone, subject matter, and character together in the horror-themed comic series.

What event led to the decline of the EC Comics and the first death of 'Tales from the Crypt'?

The publication of 'Seduction of the Innocent' by psychiatrist Frederick Wortham, which blamed comic books for juvenile delinquency and illiteracy, led to Senate hearings and the self-imposition of the Comics Code Authority, resulting in the decline of EC Comics and the first death of 'Tales from the Crypt' in 1955.

How did 'Tales from the Crypt Keeper' adapt to television censorship for a younger audience?

'Tales from the Crypt Keeper' adapted to television censorship by moving away from its heritage of blood and gore, incorporating humor, curiosity, trust, and the risk-reward of breaking rules to engage its audience.

What was the connection between 'Tales from the Crypt Keeper' and the HBO series 'Tales from the Crypt'?

The HBO series 'Tales from the Crypt' was an adult-oriented live-action series that pulled most of its story ideas directly from the EC Comics, which also inspired the creation of the 'Tales from the Crypt Keeper' animated series for a younger audience.

What merchandise was produced in connection with 'Tales from the Crypt Keeper'?

Merchandise produced in connection with 'Tales from the Crypt Keeper' included action figures, freaky balls, a board game called 'Tales from the Crypt Keeper Search for the Lost Tales', and various other licensed items.

How many times has the 'Tales from the Crypt' franchise been revived or adapted after its initial decline?

The 'Tales from the Crypt' franchise has been revived or adapted multiple times, including the animated series 'Tales from the Crypt Keeper', the HBO live-action series, feature films, and a game show called 'Secrets of the Crypt Keeper's Haunted House'.

What was the educational aspect of the 'Tales from the Crypt Keeper' animated series?

The 'Tales from the Crypt Keeper' animated series was considered not only instructional but legitimately educational, using supernatural situations and moral lessons to engage and teach its audience.

Why was there a legal concern over the rights to characters for a potential new series by M. Night Shyamalan?

There was a legal concern over the rights to characters for a potential new series by M. Night Shyamalan because the rights were still held by Tales from the Crypt Holdings, which ultimately led to the project not reaching production.