"Everything that makes life worth leaving."
It wasn't too long ago that Sally the Zombie Cheerleader's School of Horror spotlighted one of Amicus' most noted: Tales from the Crypt. Now, for her "20th Anniversary Special", our sprightly flesh feaster presents its bloodcurdling, 1973 sequel (culled from the same EC Comics foundation, of course): directed by Roy Ward (Dr. Jekyll & Sister Hyde/The Vampire Lovers) Baker and written by anthology guru, Milton Subotsky, who coproduced with his shrewd teammate, Max Rosenberg.
(The) Vault of Horror, known in certain circles as Tales from the Crypt II, doesn't feature a vault keeper to usher its participants into its mystical tales, but they find their way all the same, thanks to the mysterious, basement chamber of an office high rise. It's there that they're compelled to reveal their recurring nightmares, but why? Ah, in that lies a sinister catch.
To bring the stories to proper, undead life, the cast consists of top-tier stars and seasoned character actors: Curd Jurgens, Terry-Thomas, Tom Baker, Denholm Elliot, Dawn Addams, Daniel Massey, Anna Massey, Glynis Johns, Michael Craig, Jasmina Hamzavi, Mike Pratt, Geoffery Davies and Robin Nedwell (the latter two of the hit sitcom Doctor in the House.)
The exploits are higher-echelon, too, with portions even designated to exotic locales. They consist of 1) a brother-sister conflict, in which the former faces a vampiric surprise; 2) the doomed foibles of an unsuspecting, OCD, business gent; 3) an arrogant magician in search of an awe-inspiring trick; 4) an insurance ploy that requires being buried alive; and 5) an artist whose swindling associates not only become his subjects, but face terrifying, voodoo-induced death.
The graphic gallery is moral-based, just like the ghastly comic-book fables that inspired it, the combination creating lots of eerie tension in a sequel that many believe matches its predecessor.
What makes the presentation all the better is Sally's vast knowledge of her subject matter (even if sometimes sidetracked by the biting SkeleKat and her creepy, cutie-pie dolls), as well as her sharing Fleshie accolades on her twenty-year career. The latter entails heartfelt shoutouts and jolly good, best-of-the-best flashbacks, including Sally's frightful origin.
This is, indeed, an extra-special submission, folks, so be sure not to miss Sally's ghastly, classroom party!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B9bhc-Z2SnM
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