The Vault of Horror

I adore the 1972 film; Tales From the Crypt and this 1973 follow-up is a solid effort. Granted, not all of the stories in this Amicus anthology are as strong as the '72 film, but this film is still a lot of fun. My favorite story in this anthology is the Terry-Thomas/Glynis Johns effort. It's definitely more comedy than horror, but even that packs a bit of a punch at the end. I've read that there was to be a third installment to this series of films, but a less than over-whelming feeling by the film-going public put an end to any further plans for a third film. The cast to this film is really strong and it's just a shame that the stories aren't as solid, still, an enjoyable effort and if you're looking for a fun way to spend an afternoon, a double-feature of Tales From the Crypt and Vault of Horror is definitely the way to go.

As far as anthology films go, it's hard to beat this one. It's got a great early 70's campiness about it that gets better each time I watch it. It not the easiest film to find (I've only seen it at ONE video store in the midwest US) and if you do track it down on the old Nostalgia Merchant label it's cut. There are quite a few scenes out of place and some cut altogether (most notably the "vampire sequence"). It's too bad Fox couldn't pick this up and distribute it along with "Tales From The Crypt". Overall, I highly recommend this film and suggest getting your hands on a UNCUT Japanese import.

It goes without saying that if you tune into an Amicus anthology you cant expect million-dollar budgets. Or even hundred-dollar budgets. But this is part of the fun. These great, honest stories were banged out on a shoe-string and we love them. I still think 'The House that Dripped Blood' (even though it doesn't actually drip anything, incidentally) is more enjoyable but 'The Vault of Horror' has a good go and brings us exactly the kind of fare we love to lap up. It's always a bit silly to pick holes in a film like this but, forgive me, I must just say Terry Thomas gets a very raw deal: Everyone else is either a psychopath or a cold-blooded killer (or both) and Terry's great crime is 'being too fussy'! Well, I suppose that'll teach him to stray into 1970s British horror...

The Vault of Horror (1973) was another Amicus adaptation of the stories that were originally published in comic book form during the fifties. These stories came from the minds of publishing guru Bill Gaines and his staff of brilliant artists and story tellers. E.C. during the fifties was a hugely successful independent comic book company. But due to concerned parents and the crack down on comic book publishers by conservative politicians "who were protecting the children" created the Comic Book decency code that moralized all future comic books. These brilliant stories first appeared in the VAULT OF HORROR series. Unlike the first film, the main character narrator is missing, other than that, it's the same omnibus style of film making. Odd stories with even mondo bizarro endings. Five tales that'll make you crave for more! Stars Terry-Thomas, Denholm Elliot and Glynis Johns. Watch out for the European cut. It has more blood and gore than the tamed U.S. release. Highly recommended.