JohnDoe
Bryn
BrentonJohn Doe’s 15 Favourite Horror TV Shows : Part 2
November 9th 2009 22:02
Part 2: John Doe's Favourite Horror TV Anthologies.
Read Part 1- John Doe's favourite Horror Series by clicking HERE
Eye of the Beholder - A John Doe favourite from The Twilight Zone
Now that you have read Part One, which was JD’s favourite horror TV series, continuing sagas told chapter by chapter, episode by episode. Now comes the staple of the small screen genre. Compilations of short stories, only linked by their common intent, these are the Anthologies where each episode is a stand alone tale.
The Anthologies
The temptation of the Masters of Horror
With episodes Directed by John Landis (An American Werewolf in London), John Carpenter (Halloween), Takashi Miike (Audition), Mick Garris, Lucky McKee (May), Dario Argento (Suspiria), Joe Dante (The Howling), Stuart Gordon (Re-Animator) and Tobe Hooper (The Texas Chainsaw Massacre) do I need to waste anymore words in telling you this a terror treat of the top tier?
Here are trailers for John Doe's two favourite episodes:
John Carpenters Cigarette Burns
Takishi Miike's Imprint
The most influential shows on TV?
Few series have ever had as much longevity as this pair of brain mutating, social commentary laden exercises in intellectual potpourri. Every week a new mystery, every 7 days a revelation and all episodes ranged from good to classic with numerous unforgettable episodes feeding the imagination. Need I say a trip to The Outer Limits was equally enjoyable?
Cast Included: Lee Marvin, Cliff Robertson, Martin Landau
Directors included: Stuart Rosenberg (Cool hand Luke), Don Siegel (Invasion of the Body Snatchers), and Richard Donner (The Omen).
Alfred Hitchcock sheepishly surrenders to his critics
That rotund refiner of tension and suspense Alfred Hitchcock hosted this quality selection of macabre short stories with his trademarked dark wit. Hitch also Directed 17 episodes himself and like other anthologies listed AHP contained a slew of memorable guest stars.
Cast Included: Charles Bronson and Walter Matthau
Directors Included: Steven Spielberg (Jaws), Robert Altman (The Long Goodbye)
Writers Included: Ray Bradbury, Roald Dahl
All the Crypt keeper you can handle on DVD
Inspired by the 1950’s comic books, forever entwined by their similar format and distinctly 80’s nostalgia, who can forget the extroverted Crypt Keepers cackle opening. Piled high with grotesque and maniacal intent this duo balanced wrongful giggles and genuine frights to ensure its destiny of warping a generation of young minds.
Crypt Writers Included: Frank Darabont (The Mist) and Walter Hill (The Warriors)
Crypt Directors Included; Robert Zemeckis (Back to the Future), Russell Mulcahy (Highlander), Richard Donner (The Omen)
Darkside Directors Included: Tom Savini
Darkside Writers Included: Stephen King
The Stalker and Strangler together on DVD
After cross pollinating with Rod Serling on The Twilight Zone and Night Gallery writer Richard Matheson (I Am Legend, The Box) was the major creative force behind the vampire TV movie The Night Stalker and its sequel The Night Strangler. Matheson then contributed to the quality anthology series Trilogy of Terror and Dead of Night.
The Hitchhiker thumbing its finger at the censors
The Hitchhiker (1983)
Edgy, erotic and graphic, all served with a slice of cheese and a side of imaginative beef. The thrilling, sometimes demented show The Hitchhiker is a perfect example of how HBO changed the television landscape forever challenging what was acceptable by thumbing a ride on the horror express.
Directors include – Phillip Noyce (Backroads) and Mike Hodges (Get Carter)
Dark Shadows (1966)
Vampires, Ghosts and other supernatural characters populate the story of the wealthy Collins family from Collinport Maine. Directed by Dan Curtis (Trilogy of Terror, Night Stalker) this gothic horror soap opera had the vibe of live theatre often filmed on the fly, there has been nothing quite like since.
Here is the opening to the Dark Shadows pilot, gnaw on the juicey overt seriousness
Click HERE for Part 1 of John Does Favourite Horror Series
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Comment by Bryn
Horrorphile
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
What you got against Aidan Quinn??
so any great TV Shows I missed???
Comment by Bryn
Horrorphile
Comment by Mountain Fog
yes sirrreeee Twilight Zone and Outer Limits for me please!
Also, I loved Alfred's show, especially the beginning with the music intro and his tummy appearing first, then, "Good Evening!" in his characteristic drawl.
Well, I was a youngen then.
I didn't realize Spielberg directed for that show!
Oh and I agree with Bryn, Branagh's Franky was annoying indeed.
cheers
fog
Comment by Natalina
My Life My Muse
Beta Girl Blog
Comment by Michelle Sweeney
Competition Queen
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
Have you ever seen Tales of the Unexpected? It was also written by Roald Dahl. I used to watch it with my sister when I was about 11 years old and just the music would give us nightmares. The program wasn't graphic, more clever and wry than anything. Here's a clip of the music:
Great list again,
Tracy
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
I don't why I didn't get into The Twilight Zone...hmm. I think I missed out. But I was definitely into Alfred Hitchcock Presents. As Fogger said, I vividly remember Hitchcock's belly in the beginning.
Have you ever seen Tales of the Unexpected? It was also written by Roald Dahl. I used to watch it with my sister when I was about 11 years old and just the music would give us nightmares. The program wasn't graphic, more clever and wry than anything. Here's a clip of it..
Comment by James Rickard
unlucky_ fishermen.com
Angling Fish
Check this out...
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
Brannagh's Frankenstein was a little more tolerable for me but certainly a film with glaring problems,....and in the end it is a wasted opportunity from such a rich source.
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
twilight Zone and Outer Limits were absolute obsessions for me as a child and now I consider them about as good as TV can be....would be in my top 10 of all time for sure.
Alfred Hitchcock presents also grabbed me tight with so many great tales of darkness...love that format and we need more of them....masters of Horror had some good ones, have you checked it out?
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
Dark Shadows is such cheesy fun and addictive once you surrender to it...;.Barnabas rules...was thinking some would give me crap for my unhealthy love of the show, glad to not be alone
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
There really is no substitute for good writing and both Crypt and Hitch managed to resonate each time an episode ended. Classics that should not be forgotten!
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
I don't know why anyone wouldn't love The Twilight Zone
That opening of Hitch is certainly pop culture royalty and I think its what we all think of first when recalling the show.
Tales of the Unexpected should havbe made the list, I loved it too...this is what happens when I do lists off the top of my head instead of researching
Comment by David O'Connell
Screen Fanatic
Lucky McKee's Sick Girl and Dario Argento's Jenifer. Both brilliant.
If I had to pick a 3rd I'd mention the John Landis episode because of how damn funny it was.
But the rest of them, I thought, wavered somewhere between mediocre and downright awful.
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
I liked Lucky McKee's Sick Girl as well, ever since may i have been a huge fan. Argento's was also cool but the two i listed were just so satisfying for different reasons they stand above the rest.
The Landis one wioth George Wendt is indeed hilarious and that ending had me giggling for a long time with the last lind.
Comment by Bryn
Horrorphile
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
My expectations were very high for this series and though some episodes fell short of those demands for perfection, on rewatching they really do stand up as worthy contributions to horror on TV. In fact many of them when looked at objectively ranked alongside the best of Tales from The Crypt or The Darkside.
But I know you dont agree you horror fiend you