Anthological horror has always been a huge part of the genre, as short stories often are the easiest to adapt in a short time span, and even more often, leave the reader or viewer feeling uneasy and craving more. With a resurgence in horror anthology shows, like the different seasons of American Horror Story, Hulu's Monsterland, or Guillermo del Toro's upcoming Cabinet of Curiosities, we can't forget to look back at one of the biggest series to inspire modern horror anthologies, Tales from the Crypt.
Where a lot of horror anthologies have brought in famous horror directors to direct single story episodes of their shows, Tales from the Crypt did something a little different by bringing on not only well-loved horror directors like Tom Holland (Child's Play) and Tobe Hooper (The Texas Chain Saw Massacre), but also big-time Oscar-winning directors, like Robert Zemeckis (Forest Gump) and William Friedkin (The French Connection). What a lot of people don't know, is that the series also brought in a lot of famous acting talent to direct single episodes. Here are five famous actors that directed episodes of Tales from the Crypt.
5
Kyle MacLachlan - S5, E2 - "As Ye Sow"
Kyle MacLachlan, most notable for portraying Agent Dale Cooper in the influential Twin Peaks and Paul Atreides in David Lynch's Dune, stepped into the director's role to head an episode in one of the later seasons of Tales from the Crypt. In "As Ye Sow," a jealous man is convinced his wife is cheating on him with a local priest, and once he confirms it by hiring a private detective, takes drastic measures in putting a stop to the affair. The episode starred Patsy Kensit, Héctor Elizondo, and Sam Waterston, while both original movie Batman Adam West and Miguel Ferrer made cameo appearances. The story was written by Ron Finley and based on Shock SuspenStories #14. As of now, this episode is the only directing credit of MacLachlan's Hollywood career.
4
Bob Hoskins - S7, E1 - "Fatal Caper"
Bob Hoskins was known for his over-the-top comedy roles in films like Who Framed Roger Rabbit?, Hook, and Super Mario Bros, but he also directed an episode of Tales from the Crypt as one of only four directing credits in his career. In "Fatal Caper", an old, wealthy, sickly man on his deathbed adds a stipulation to his will, stating that both of his sons must find their long-lost third son within a certain time period, or all of their inheritance will be given to charity. The greedy brothers fight over the fortune to see who will become the sole benefactor. This episode starred Leslie Phillips, Greg Wise, and James Saxon, with small roles from Natasha Richardson and Hoskins himself. Hoskins and Richardson would later star in Maid in Manhattan together. The screenplay was written by Gilbert Adler, and based on original Tales from the Crypt #20. This would be the only time Hoskins dabbled in the horror genre before passing away in 2014.
3
Michael J. Fox - S3, E3 - "The Trap"
In one of only two directorial credits of his career, Michael J. Fox sat in the chair for "The Trap", an episode about a mean-spirited deadbeat man who refused to hold down a job, and came up with a scheme of faking his own death in order to commit insurance fraud. The man changed everything about himself, including his appearance, only to be double-crossed by his wife and brother. Fox appears in the episode as the prosecutor in the fraud case, and the episode stars Bruce McGill, Teri Garr, and Bruno Kirby. Back to the Future Alumni James Tolkan also joined the cast to reunite with Fox. This episode was written by Scott Alexander and based on SuspenStories #18.
2
Arnold Schwarzenegger - S2, E2 - "The Switch"
In possibly the most surprising entry on this list, action star Arnold Schwarzenegger, in one of only two directing credits, took on "The Switch". Not only did Schwarzenegger appear in the episode, but he also accompanied the Cryptkeeper in both the intro and closing to the episode, something most directors didn't do. "The Switch" was written by Richard Tuggle & Michael Taav, and based on an original story from the Tales from the Crypt comic. This was the firstTales from the Crypt comic story to be adapted in the television series. In this episode, an old, wealthy man is trying to impress a woman, who won't be with him because of his age. The man uses all of his money to pay a doctor to switch his body parts with those of a young man. Once out of surgery, looking young and being broke, the man finds that the woman wasn't just interested in his looks, but his money as well. Schwarzenegger cast the beloved Kelly Preston in one of the lead roles after working with her on Twins. This would be one of Schwarzenegger's only entries in the horror genre, aside from Maggie, a film about his daughter turning into a zombie.
1
Tom Hanks - S4, E1 - "None but the Lonely Heart"
In Tom Hanks' directorial debut, and only entry into the horror genre aside from The 'Burbs, he kicked off season four with "None but the Lonely Heart". The screenplay was written by Donald Longtooth and the story was an original story from the Tales from the Crypt comic. This episode is about an in-debt con man who marries rich widows, then kills them to make off with their money. As he continues his pattern, he starts to receive notes from a stranger telling him to stop before he pays the consequences. On his last "job", the body of his most recent kill rises from the grave to exact revenge, toting some of the best practical effects of the season. Treat Williams stars in this segment, with Frances Sternhagen as the supporting role. Hanks also appears in the episode alongside a surprising cameo from boxing legend Sugar Ray Leonard.