User reviews

This was one of my favorite horror shows as it was very watchable and enjoyable. There were many shows of this type during the time it ran and one can say it was probably the inspiration for a couple of the other ones that came on during this time such as "Monsters" and ever the one that Freddy Krueger had as the stories from those two shows I sometimes think came from this one. However, this one was around first and it is the best of the bunch. Granted, the episodes on Tales from the Crypt got a little darker and you could sometimes get lucky and see some nudity this one had by far the better stories. It also had one of the coolest openings of the bunch as well, for it may have been simple it was also effective in telling the viewer that they were on a trip to the darkside. Many good episodes are to be found, one of my favorite involved a woman renting a room in a place or something and there is a hole in the wall and something seems to be living there. I also remember one about some old lady who treated her father horribly and was good at making cookies, but she gets what is coming to her in the end. All in all one of the best horror shows out there.

I finished first season and, although there's some real masterpieces, most of it is just mediocre and there's even some episodes that make 20 minutes seem like eternity. Still, I recommend this show because good ones are worthy of getting through bad ones to see them.

6/10

The television horror anthology has a long and noble history. In the Fifties, Rod Serling blazed the trail with THE TWILIGHT ZONE; though the series mostly veered in the direction of what may be called "speculative fantasy", it did produce its share of horrific/macabre episodes. This was to be followed by THRILLER in the early Sixties, a much more overtly Gothic series hosted by Boris Karloff, and one of the first television series to catch flack for experimenting with graphic violence (one episode featured a man staggering down a flight of stairs with an ax buried in his head!). Serling struck again with NIGHT GALLERY in the Seventies, an often genuinely weird and experimental series that, like THRILLER, often drew from the great pulp horror tales of the past for inspiration. And, in the Eighties, came George Romero's TALES FROM THE DARKSIDE.

I vividly remember the show as a pre-teen; it would premier late at night, around 11:30 after the news and "normal" programming concluded. As that bleary witching hour approached, when the wholesome prime-time like of FAMILY TIES and THE FACTS OF LIFE seemed miles gone by, disorientation and apprehension would set in - the atmosphere was right for a kid to be scared! And nothing was scarier than DARKSIDE's opening sequence. What looked like pastoral postcard scenes of rural Vermont would give way to the ominous intonations of Paul Sparer, backed up by a prickly synthesizer score. The title card would then appear in dripping letters of crimson. It was, in a word, unforgettable.

For budgetary reasons, the episodes were shot on video; on the one hand, this gave them an air of cheapness, but on the other lent them a kind of creepy immediacy. The frequent appearance of veteran stars meanwhile, some of who hadn't then worked in years, provided some old-fashioned cachet. Eddie Bracken starred in one I'll never forget - A Case of the Stubborns, based on a story by Robert Bloch. Bracken plays a cranky old grandfather who refuses to accept the fact that he has died, much to the distress of his family. As the days pass, Bracken begins to decompose, to the point of literally sneezing his nose off. Another one that stuck with me was called Inside the Closet, which starred Fritz Weaver as a doctor with a horrible Tom Savini-designed secret locked in his doll closet. One of the (deservedly) best-loved episodes was a Christmas-themed affair called Seasons of Belief. This one had E. G. Marshall sadistically terrorizing his children with stories of The Grither, a sort of demonic Santa being whose name must never be spoken. Building to a truly spectacular conclusion, Seasons of Belief stands out as an endearingly bilious Yuletide classic. In addition to the old-timers, TALES FROM THE DARKSIDE boasted some up-and-coming talent as well - the aforementioned A Case of the Stubborns also starred Christian Slater. Another one I remember, called Monsters in My Room, had little Seth Green as a boy who faces the titular trouble. To further sweeten the package, horror masters like Romero, Savini, and Bloch frequently contributed behind the camera.

TALES FROM THE DARKSIDE looms large in the pantheon of Eighties horror (when the genre wasn't afraid to be bold and nasty), as well as in the hearts of those of us who remember it. As it's been off the air for some time, a DVD release may well be in order, so that a whole new generation might behold what gave many Children of the Eighties a pleasant little chill back in the day. As the show's closer immortally put it: "The Darkside is always there, waiting for us to enter, waiting to enter us. Until next time - try to enjoy the daylight."

This show was really great, most of the time. Like the original Twilight Zone, it was sometimes horror episodes, sometimes fantasy and sometimes comedy/fantasy. 92 episodes aired, around 70 of them being really great, and the others being stinkers. Since it was on regular TV, it couldn't contain very much language, and the violence was plentiful, but usually mild. The narrator Paul Sparer had a really creepy voice and started and ended the show. The shows were often about ghosts, demons, Satan, monsters and even a boy putting his voice onto a computer. Each episode had a surprise ending, which made it even better. It was often very morbid and could be depressing, but usually wasn't. It was great.

My rating: A. 1984-1988. 30 mins. 6 volumes with 5 episodes on each are available on VHS, and one volume has two.(32 episodes available)

More than the episodes scaring me, the beginning of the show used to. In fact it scared the crap out of me. I think I used to turn it down and wait until the eerie music was over before I'd watch it. I was 22 at the time! This and Tales From The Crypt (which was scarier) were the kind of 80's era kitsch(?) I enjoyed. Not sure which episodes are from which show, but I think this one had the slaves taking over the plantation or mansion something like that? I don't think all of these stories were meant to be taken seriously, but more tongue in cheek. I'm watching "Deliver us from Goodness" right now and it's ridiculous. Anyway it was good fun for the times if you just avoid the really silly or nonsensical episodes.

I have recently begun watching this series. I noticed a few things. one , the other writer is right about the new talent. Examples of that included Christian Slater and Seth Green. Two, Most of the stories tried to teach a lesson. Examples included the Pilot "Trick or Treat" in which an elderly old miser runs a haunted house where he invites the kids to come and look for their parents IOU's. In the end however he gets whats coming to him. It was kind of a take-off of a "A Christmas Carol" Other like "The Satanic Piano" and "Printer's Devil" reinforced the saying that's there's no such thing as a free Lunch. In Order to get something, you usually have to give something else up. I really liked the episode "I'll Give You a Million". I mean the idea that someone would sell their soul for a Million Dollars is just amazing. Also, a lot of the very best actors ever guest starred on the episodes. People like Danny Aiello, Christian Slater, Seth Green, Justine Bateman, and many others. This series is one of the best Horror/Sci-Fi series to ever come out. Everyone should have a chance to see this. I know the first 2 seasons are out on DVD Boxed sets but I don't know if they'll ever release the last 2 seasons.

DARKSIDE proved to be a distinct step down from classic TV anthology series like THE TWILIGHT ZONE and CHILLER. Episodes were shot on video and a synthesizer was often the only musical accompaniment. Plots were often all too predictable. Yet a handful of episodes stand out,and you can read about them in detail here on IMDb. Familiar faces popped up in most episodes, which was a definite plus. But if you watch a TWILIGHT ZONE episode followed by a DARKSIDE episode, you are going to cringe at the incredible cheapness of the latter. The show is constantly in reruns on channels like The Sci-Fi Channel, for what it's worth. For all its faults, I will recommend HBO's TALES FROM THE CRYPT over this. Heck, I'll even recommend THE RAY BRADBURY THEATER or Roald Dahl's short-lived series over DARKSIDE.

I used to love watching this TV show in the 80s - ah my teen years! If you are looking for a TV series that can make you laugh and sometimes scare you then Tales from the Darkside is for you. Recommended!

9/10.

Every anthology TV series has its duds. It's just par for the course with these types of shows. It does seem that Tales From the Darkside had far more duds than brilliant episodes. Still, even the duds are dripping with mood. In that respect, it's a far creepier show than, say, Tales From the Crypt. That show might be more consistent in terms of the writing and the acting, but Tales From the Darkside wins in terms of mood and atmosphere.

Some of the more interesting episodes are Halloween Candy, Trick 'R Treat, Anniversary Dinner, Miss May Dusa, Baker's Dozen, and The Geezenstacks. There's some creepy, haunting stuff in there.

Tales From the Darkside is still worth checking out, but just be prepared to have to wade through a lot of bad/mediocre episodes to get to the good ones.

I always love horror anthologies because they give writers more creative freedom to do whatever they want. But also the reader and viewer the power of choice to choose which stories to try out but also which one they like and don't like.

This show is one of my favorite horror anthology shows that I think is under the radar and slightly forgotten. This show is also another childhood relic of mine, I've seen this when I was 12 it was one of the first horror anthologies I saw. I bumped into this show one day and gave it a go and I'll admit I was pleasantly surprised, this is the kind to show that I feel is almost made for fans of the horror genre.

There really isn't a whole lot I can say, it's a horror anthology what can you really say. But this is one of my of my favorites along with "Night Galary", "Are You Afraid of the Dark", "Twilght Zone" (both the old and 80's version) and plenty others.

The production value was on a modest to low budget but I personally feel it was used wises and well, also it was network television show what do you expect. But they did the best they could with what they had to create the effect they were going for and I felt they succeeded.

I really love that theme song which to me is one of my personal favorite theme song. Its a very eerie and creepy tone that can send chills as you see the music correlate with the title sequence we see some random enviorments in the daylight but then suddenly they start to seem unsettling as we see some shadows overlapping them and daylight fading a bit, they suddenly the friendly enviorments begin to seem dangerous as if there could be something lurking in those shadows. Down to the narrators voice and what he says which sent chills and have stuck with me ever since.

And most of the stories are memorable and creative, most of them are straight forward horror, though some others are black comedies, or even fun fantasy tales which is alright with me, I always like a little something different to keep an anthology fresh. Some of them were even by a lot of well known writers like Clive Barker, Steven King, Robert Bloch, and several others. As well as some episodes were director by a few well known people like George Romaro and Tom Savani. These facts to me are really cool because it shows this show has actually had some talent involved which to me helps gives this anthology some heart. It would be awesome if someone ever makes another horror anthology show and to have both old and new generation talent involved, it should be considered because we seriously need another horror anthology show right now.

Some of my favorites are "Anavercery Dinner" which in a way is a modern day Brothers Grimm like tale, "Last Car" where a girl is taking a train home only she's not going home, "Word Processor of the Gods" a fun wishforfillment story let alone cool concept, "Biglows Last Smoke" which is uncannily similar to the Steven King short story let alone the title alone in a way that story is more of a black comedy but also a good metaphor on addiction and it's destructive nature, "Levetation" which was a fable on the danger of ambition gone awry and tempting fate, the ending I'll admit left a cold chill in me. Yeah, there are plenty more but I displayed enough of them, just check them out for yourself or simply make your own list So, until next time try to enjoy the daylight.

Rating: 4 stars

DARKSIDE proved to be a distinct step down from classic TV anthology series like THE TWILIGHT ZONE and CHILLER. Episodes were shot on video and a synthesizer was often the only musical accompaniment. Plots were often all too predictable. Yet a handful of episodes stand out,and you can read about them in detail here on IMDb. Familiar faces popped up in most episodes, which was a definite plus. But if you watch a TWILIGHT ZONE episode followed by a DARKSIDE episode, you are going to cringe at the incredible cheapness of the latter. The show is constantly in reruns on channels like The Sci-Fi Channel, for what it's worth. For all its faults, I will recommend HBO's TALES FROM THE CRYPT over this. Heck, I'll even recommend THE RAY BRADBURY THEATER or Roald Dahl's short-lived series over DARKSIDE.

This show was pretty edgy for its day but does not hold up. The bleek tone may appeal to some horror fans. Many of the scripts were poor to begin with or never come alive thanks to mediocre acting, unimaginative direction and a general lack of budget.

Very few of the episodes were good. A lot of them were simply average television fair and about a quarter of them are bad bad bad.

Although I was in my early teens when I watched tales from the darkside, if left an impression on me. As a matter of fact, I still remember the first TFDS episode. The Halloween episode in which a rich old, whom everone in the town owns money to, has fun with his debtor's children by making them search for the outstanding notes in his creepy mansion. If a child found the outstanding-notes, that families debts would be wiped off. Of course, none of the children every found them...running out of the house scared out of their minds....until a real witch shows up! Needless to say, the old miser is paid a visit by the devil himself! I still rmemeber it to this day. Anyway, TFDS has dozens of episodes with eerie endings. If you like the late 80's tv series MONSTERS, you would also enjoy "tales from the darkside". It is just too bad that they don't show it any more....

Some episodes are dull, some you will keep forever in memory and some will make you check under the bed (or in the closet, ha!) I used to watch this when I was younger and even the beginning intro scared me. Re-watching it again, it is still good but no where near "horror". Tales From the Darkside is more of a Twilight Zone type of show instead of something along the lines of Tales From the Crypt. I will not show nudity, sex or extreme gore but it still gets the point across and the story is told. I give it an 8 out of 10 only because some episodes I will forever be wondering what happened? What was THAT about? Some I absolutely loved. If you want to try it out, I have recommendations for a few episodes. If you are a horror lover, a scary story fan... watch season 1, "Inside the Closet". It's about an old teacher who lets a student sublet a room inside his creepy house. However, there's a catch. A small closet is in her room with the door bolted. She hears noises at night and almost obsesses over it. The conclusion to what's in the closet will make you re-check what's in there. If you are a mystery lover, like The Twilight Zone, watch "The Madness Room". A ghost story with a twist I never saw coming.

Does anyone remember how the early "Doctor Who" settings and props were somewhat cheap and phony? Much like "Land of the Lost" (1974); "Sigmund and the Sea Monsters" (1973); "H.R. Pufnstuf" (1969-1970); "Electra Woman and Dyna Girl" (1976)...but, they were all GREAT shows because they mainly concentrated on their stories! :)

It's the same with this series. This is a cheaply-produced show, but, the stories are great! I really like this series and am quite upset that it hasn't been brought back to television as it well deserves to be.

I give this series a solid "9" for it's stories! :)

As a teenager growing up in the 80's, I thought Tales from the Darkside was one of the scariest things on TV. Hell, even the opening scared me with its creepy music and its even creepier narration. Now, 20 some years later I've finally watched them again, thanks to the Sci-Fi channel, and I must say that it has not aged very well. There are a few gems (Trick or Treat, Halloween Candy, The Circus, The Cutty Black Sow), but for the most part, most of these stories come across as being just plain silly. And the low budget doesn't help matters either. It looks like some people at a local TV station decided to make an anthology series. Overall, it just doesn't pack the wallop that it did 20 years ago, but the opening is still creepy as hell. On the plus side, Darkside is way better than Showtime's crapfest Masters of Horror.

Yeah, I do like the Anthology thing, I like the flexibility that it gives and the fact that, when you sit down, you really don't know what kind of episode you are going to get and what characters you are going to meet.

But, honestly, it was never really as good as Tales From the Crypt of the Hitch Hiker was it? But than that could come down to the channels they were on and the money the producers decided not to spend on it.

I think the movie came across a little better visually and a lot worse story wise, but what The Outer Limits and the Twilight Zone revivals did, Tales from the Darkside did with a more horrific note. It was made to be scary, it was made to be frightening... but the special effects got in the way and left you with a Halloween: Season of the Witch feeling to it.

But, who cares, the stories were great.

This a very scary show. It has great stories. It also has great acting. It also has great special effects. I would not say that it is a 7.7 that is king of overrating it. It is a great show. I give 6 out 10 it is very good. But I would say 7.7 is just hyping it. If you want get sacred this show will not let you down. It is scarier then silence off the lambs very could be. The original A Nightmare on elm street from 1984 is better. The original Friday the 13th from 1980 is better. Halloween is also better. But still this a great show. Very scary. The Exorcist is also better. But still a great show see it. It is a lot better then the 2001 movie of Hannibal.

I liked the movie just fine.Any movie or series in the vein of Twilight Zone and Amazing Stories always gets my interest. As far as Tales From the Darkside,the series...The stories (Most of them) were pretty well written, while some were pretty cheesy, like the "Highway to Heaven" Halloween episode where the guy with the beard sells his soul to the devil. The twist in the Gargoyle story was pretty good and disturbing. I really wrote in to say the guy a space or 2 above me said, "I don't know if the show is still on" well, it's not. It's been quite a few years since it's been off the air. But I recommend the movie and the series if you can find it. Sci Fi channel ran a TFTDS marathon recently.

I purchased the entire series on sale on DVD around Black Friday 2022, I hadn't seen an episode in several years, having recorded some on VHS when I was 9-10 years old alongside episodes of "Amazing Stories" and "Transformers" (I'm saying I'm an 80s child without saying I'm an 80s child..haha). As a kid, you remember things so much more grand, exciting, and scary! Revisiting "Darkside" made me realize how most episodes are hilariously "cheap" looking with poor production value. I even spotted visible boom mics and crew casting shadows in some episodes. But whereas the networks' anthology series frequently spent $1 million per episode or more (Ex. Amazing Stories), each 20+ minute episode of ''Darkside'' is filmed on a puny $125K budget average! Some episodes are throwaways, but I'd say for every 2 bad episodes, there are some phenomenal ones! Some have stuck with me through the years & are still every bit as good as I remember! My Top 10 in no particular order are, "Seasons of Belief", Monsters In My Room", "Inside the Closet", "Halloween Candy", "The Cutty Black Sow", "The Last Car", "The Devil's Advocate", "Sorry, Right Number", "Family Reunion" and of course, the brilliant pilot, "Trick or Treat"! This may not be as remembered as "Twilight Zone", or as high budgeted, yet fantastic as "Amazing Stories", or even as scary or graphic as "Tales from the Crypt", but "Tales From the Darkside" was a great little horror/fantasy show and definitely cements its legacy in classic 1980s Television and in my little horror loving heart!!

*****Five Out Of Ten Stars***** What made me scared as an 80's child, now just mostly makes me laugh. George Romero and Richard Rubenstein spearheaded TFTD, which is really one of the main reasons I still enjoy watching an occasional episode. I pretty much enjoy everything Romero has produced in his career, but am honest with myself about much of his work; in that some of Romero's work just isn't that good. Let's just be honest here folks, a lot of Romero's work is just plain hammy. Don't get me wrong, I still love most of it. It's hard to judge TFTD because every episode was different and unique. So I kind of averaged all the episodes out and gave it five out of ten stars or two stars out of four; which I feel is more than fair. I'm guessing some of the inflated ratings are based mostly on nostalgia. My estimate is that 25% of the episodes were above average, another 25% were average, another 25% were below average, and the remaining episodes were just plain terrible. I do plan on eventually purchasing the DVD box set, so don't get me wrong. On a closing note, the guest stars were almost always great to watch and opening and closing credits are a stroke of genius.