By Melissa Antoinette Garza
Halloween is coming quickly and I’m certainly in the horror mood. I decided to watch an old episode of TALES FROM THE CRYPT (1989). Generally, I remember every episode vividly and have seen most several times, but for whatever reason I never recall seeing this one before. As the story contains a clown doll, I find it unusual I’d forget it. I find clowns particularly horrifying. I blame viewing both GHOSTHOUSE (1988) and POLTEGERGEIST (1982) at far too young of an age. So either somehow this episode got away from me or my memory is not as good as it once was.
STRUNG ALONG opens with retired kid’s TV show host, Joseph Renfield (Donald O’Connor) sitting in a chair, depressed out of his mind, watching old episodes of his show. There he was a masterful puppeteer beloved by all, but that had been decades ago.
At first, it seems that his young wife, Ellen (Patricia Charbonneau) wants Joseph to be happy and well. She encourages him to go outside and have fun, but when he gets an opportunity to do his show again, she seems less than thrilled. Still, she goes along with the plan as long as he doesn’t overdo it.
Joseph hires an assistant, David (Zach Galligan) and the two men bond right away. As the two men bond, Ellen’s behavior becomes more erratic. She begins disappearing and within no time, Joseph suspects the worst. He believes Ellen is unfaithful, but before he can question her an argument erupts.
Ellen claims David is trying to take over the reunion show. She storms out of the room, when David reveals that he also thinks Ellen is cheating. He offers to spy on her acting class. When he goes to leave the home, Ellen confronts him once again and demands he be fired.
As everything in his life erupts, Joseph relies on his puppets to guide him; and they seemingly do not like Ellen.
Things are not as they appear and even when the truth of each party is revealed, there is a secondary twist that adds a supernatural and fun element.
In truth there are no real scares nor are there any genuine surprises; but it’s still a lot of fun!
Zach Galligan, as always, was great. He is a quintessential cult icon and one I am always happy to see be involved with any project.
Patricia Charbonneau did a fantastic job in conveying the evolution from seemingly supportive wife to wicked, spiteful, beast in such a short amount of time.
Donald O’Connor was believable and sympathetic in the role of the has-been desperate for past glory. It’s always so sad to see the once beloved and famous celebrities of yesteryear cling onto an industry pushing them out. The tale touches the same tone (admittedly not as well nor to the level or degree) as WHATEVER HAPPENED TO BABY JANE (1962), but changes the formula and moral lesson while adding levity.
Overall, I really enjoyed the production. For those who don’t own them, the episode (and many others) is currently up on YOUTUBE for free. I can’t guarantee how long it’s going to go before HBO claims copyright or the channel owner gets shut down, but in the meantime, enjoy.
Scared Stiff Rating: 7/10
