The Best Episodes of Tales from the Darkside

Episode Rankings

1. #1 Fan Favorite
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   8.0/10(2 votes)

   #1 - Halloween Candy

   S2:E510/27/1985

   A mean old man harboring an intense hatred for the celebration of Halloween is left alone by his son to hand out candy to the neighborhood children. The old man initially ignores the trick-or-treaters, but later cruelly fills their bags with a mixture of syrup and cleaning fluid. Satisfied, the old man retreats to his armchair to watch television, when a goblin-like creature pays him a visit. The creature relentlessly asks the old man for candy and he eventually shuts himself inside the house to avoid it. He suddenly realizes that he is unable to make phone calls as the goblin continues to stalk him from outside the house. Finally deciding to confront the creature, the old man walks out to the porch, only to discover that the goblin has vanished. He goes back into the house and looks out the window one last time. As he closes the curtain, he is confronted face-to-face by the creature inside the house, who again asks him for candy. Shocked and frightened, he falls to the floor and passe

   Director:Tom Savini

   Writer:Michael McDowell

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   Director:Tom Savini

   Writer:Michael McDowell
2. 

   8.0/10(2 votes)

   #2 - The Trouble with Mary Jane

   S2:E911/24/1985

   Two occultists are offered $50,000 if they can rid a girl of the multiple demons possessing her, but they soon find themselves in over their heads.

   Director:T.J. Castronovo

   Writer:Edithe Swensen

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   Director:T.J. Castronovo

   Writer:Edithe Swensen
3. 

   8.0/10(1 votes)

   #3 - Do Not Open This Box

   S4:E155/15/1988

   An aged inventor and his wife come into possession of a box marked "Do not open this box." The wife opens it and finds it empty. The next day a man comes to claim the box and the lady makes up a story about losing the box. The man begins giving them nice things in exchange for eventually getting the box back. The couple begin living the sweet life thanks to the stranger but when they finally give the box back, the man tells them that it contained a human soul - since the box was opened the soul has escaped and now the man needs a replacement.

   Director:Jodie Foster

   Writers:Franco Amurri, Bob Balaban

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   Director:Jodie Foster

   Writers:Franco Amurri, Bob Balaban
4. 

   7.5/10(2 votes)

   #4 - Levitation

   S1:E195/19/1985

   A teenager enraptured with magicians goes to a flee-bitten circus to seek out one of the greater: Kharma. However, Kharma now does cheap magic for the crowds, and none of the great illusions the teenager believes him capable of. When Kharma refuses to do them, the kid heckles him until Kharma relents and uses the boy as a subject for his greatest feat of levitation. However, Kharma dies of a heart attack, and the boy simply keeps on levitating...up into the sky and out of sight.

   Director:John Harrison

   Writer:David Gerrold

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   Director:John Harrison

   Writer:David Gerrold
5. 

   7.2/10(5 votes)

   #5 - Inside the Closet

   S1:E711/18/1984

   A student takes a room with an abrupt, somewhat rude anthropology professor. He instructs her never to open the small door in the back of her closet. Hearing strange noises, she eventually opens the door and finds the chamber beyond occupied by a small, hairless-monkey sort of a creature. It kills her and goes after the professor...only to reveal that it is his deformed daughter, which he lovingly dotes on.

   Director:Tom Savini

   Writer:Michael McDowell

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   Director:Tom Savini

   Writer:Michael McDowell
6. 

   7.0/10(1 votes)

   #6 - It All Comes Out in the Wash

   S1:E205/26/1985

   Henry, a greedy developers, stumbles upon a Chinese laundry that offers a unique service - it can "wash out" guilt. Henry employs their services but soon finds there is a unpleasant price to pay.

   Director:Frank De Palma

   Writer:Harvey Jacobs

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   Director:Frank De Palma

   Writer:Harvey Jacobs
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7. 

   7.0/10(2 votes)

   #7 - The Devil's Advocate

   S2:E711/10/1985

   A hate-style radio host, Mandrake, spews out venom at anyone who calls in. He soon discovers, however, after receiving calls across all of time that he is dead but that the "Boss," has kept him on since he discourages souls and make them more prone to the "Boss'" influence. Mandrake is unable to leave his broadcast booth and finds himself transforming into a demon as he has to continue broadcasting forever, and ever.

   Director:Michael Gornick

   Writer:George A. Romero

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   Director:Michael Gornick

   Writer:George A. Romero
8. 

   7.0/10(1 votes)

   #8 - The Last Car

   S2:E192/23/1986

   Stacey is on her way home from college and rides the last car on a train. She is soon perplexed by the bizarre behavior of her fellow passengers, including a woman who knows her name despite the fact they've never met. Stacey soon discovers that she, and everyone else, are dead and on a one-way trip from which there is no escape.

   Director:John Strysik

   Writer:Michael McDowell

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   Director:John Strysik

   Writer:Michael McDowell
9. 

   7.0/10(1 votes)

   #9 - Deliver Us from Goodness

   S3:E1011/30/1986

   Valeria is a saint - literally - and finds it more then she can bear. She seeks out a way to fall from Grace but is unable to do so no matter how hard she tries.

   Director:Warner Shook

   Writer:Jule Selbo

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   Director:Warner Shook

   Writer:Jule Selbo
10. 

    7.0/10(1 votes)

    #10 - Seasons of Belief

    S3:E1112/29/1986

    On Christmas Eve, a couple decide to preoccupy their restless children by telling them a fable concerning a massive, winged creature called "The Grither". The children initially balk at the story, which describes the creature as a proud, hateful beast who becomes enraged when it hears its name being spoken aloud. Although it lives at the North Pole, its humongous ears allow it to hear its name being spoken from anywhere in the world, and the parents assure the children that The Grither is well on its way to their house to kill them. The children become progressively more frightened as the story continues, eventually to the point of utter hysteria. Finally, in an effort to calm their children, the parents reveal that the story is make believe. At that moment, the huge arms of The Grither smash through the windows of the house and break the necks of the parents as the children look on in horror.

    Director:Michael McDowell

    Writer:Michael McDowell

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    Director:Michael McDowell

    Writer:Michael McDowell
11. 

    7.0/10(1 votes)

    #11 - The Cutty Black Sow

    S4:E145/8/1988

    On her deathbed, Jamie's great grandmother tells him the tale of a Celtic demon, the Cutty Black Sow, that comes to claim the soul of anyone dying that night, and Jamie vows to protect her soul from the beast.

    Director:Richard Glass

    Writer:Michael McDowell

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    Director:Richard Glass

    Writer:Michael McDowell
12. 

    6.8/10(5 votes)

    #12 - A Case of the Stubborns

    S1:E912/2/1984

    In the backwoods, a family patriarch dies...only to come back, unaware that he's dead. The townspeople are up in arms, but the old man is too stubborn to admit he's dead, despite his rigor mortis, lack of appetite, and bad smell. His grandson Jody eventually goes to an old voodoo woman for a solution. Rather than magic, she provides him with a simple solution: pepper. Jody puts it in his grandpa's handkerchief. When the old man sneezes, his nose falls off, which finally convinces him to go lie down and give up life for good.

    Director:Gerald Cotts

    Writers:Harlan Ellison, Robert Bloch, James Houghton

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    Director:Gerald Cotts

    Writers:Harlan Ellison, Robert Bloch, James Houghton
13. 

    6.5/10(2 votes)

    #13 - Anniversary Dinner

    S1:E132/3/1985

    A young girl fleeing her boyfriend finds herself in a small country home with a genial older couple. They take pity on her and invite her in, and even invite her to their special anniversary dinner. After getting her set up in the hot tub with plenty of wine, they start pouring vegetables in. As she passes out, the girl realizes exactly how the couple will be having her for dinner.

    Director:John Strysik

    Writers:James Houghton, D.J. Pass

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    Director:John Strysik

    Writers:James Houghton, D.J. Pass
14. 

    6.5/10(2 votes)

    #14 - Bigalow's Last Smoke

    S1:E216/9/1985

    Mr. Bigalow, a lifelong cigarette smoker, wakes up to find that his windows have bars on them and his door is sealed shut. A mysterious figure appears on Bigalow's television, informing him that he will quit smoking. Bigalow scoffs at this notion and reaches for a morning cigarette. As soon as he lights up, a deafening alarm sounds, demanding that he extinguish the cigarette immediately. Bigalow is subjected to various endurance tests and is further tempted to smoke when thousands of cigarettes materialize in the room, only to disappear. After being driven to the edge of sanity, he wakes up to find that he no longer has a desire to smoke. Believing that the whole ordeal was a dream, Bigalow reaches for a cup of coffee, at which time the mysterious figure reappears on the television screen, insisting that Bigalow now work on his caffeine addiction.

    Director:Timna Ranon

    Writer:Michael McDowell

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    Director:Timna Ranon

    Writer:Michael McDowell
15. 

    6.5/10(2 votes)

    #15 - The Old Soft Shoe

    S2:E182/16/1986

    Salesman Chester checks into a motel and makes an off-hand pass at a woman. She rejects him, but soon another, jealous woman shows up to haunt him.

    Director:Richard Friedman

    Writer:Art Monterastelli

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    Director:Richard Friedman

    Writer:Art Monterastelli
16. 

    6.4/10(5 votes)

    #16 - I'll Give You a Million

    S1:E210/7/1984

    Two old, rich men like to wager among themselves on trivial matters for huge amounts. One of them, Williams, offers his friend a million dollars for his immortal soul. Blaine accepts but discovers that he is dying of cancer - frightened, he tries to buy his soul back. Williams holds out for more money, until it's too late - Blaine dies. Soulless, he comes back for his soul, shocking Williams into a heart attack...and the Devil comes to claim his due from both of them.

    Director:John Harrison

    Writers:Mark Durand, David Spiel

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    Director:John Harrison

    Writers:Mark Durand, David Spiel
17. 

    6.4/10(5 votes)

    #17 - Pain Killer

    S1:E310/14/1984

    Harvey goes to Dr. Roebuck with back pains and Roebuck prescribes a miraculous cure. It's not until later that Harvey finds the price he must pay...

    Director:Armand Mastroianni

    Writer:Haskell Barkin

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    Director:Armand Mastroianni

    Writer:Haskell Barkin
18. 

    6.3/10(6 votes)

    #18 - The Odds

    S1:E410/21/1984

    Tommy Vale, a barroom bookie finds himself in a curious predicament: a man comes in who can't lose. As the story unravels, he finds out that his opponent is Lacey, a man who went broke gambling with Vale in the past. Now Lacey is back from the dead, with tips from the other side, and is unbeatable. In a final ghoulish wager, Lacey bets that Vale will die at a particular time, and he's never been wrong. But the clock chimes and Vale is still alive. Lacey is forced to depart, and Vale reveals that he set the clock ahead five minutes, then dies right on time.

    Director:James Steven Sadwith

    Writer:James Steven Sadwith

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    Director:James Steven Sadwith

    Writer:James Steven Sadwith
19. 

    6.0/10(1 votes)

    #19 - Parlour Floor Front

    S2:E410/20/1985

    A woman becomes concerned when she discovers that a man that she and her husband rent a room to has been practicing voodoo. Although the man is good intentioned and kind, the woman regards him as a threatening and undesirable tenant. The husband sees the man as a well meaning and harmless, albeit strange individual, a view that is contradictory to his wife's feelings. She decides to hatch a plot to expel the man from her building. When the child that she has been pregnant with miscarries and her cat turns up dead, she blames the incidents on the black magic of the tenant. Guilt-ridden, the tenant hangs himself in his room. When the husband confronts the wife about the incident, the truth soon reveals itself. It was the wife that caused the miscarriage and killed the couple's cat. Disgusted by her malicious actions, the husband leaves her. Later that night, while in bed, the woman is woken by the sound of horrific groans coming up the stairs to her room....

    Director:Ernest R. Dickerson

    Writer:Carole Lucia Satrina

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    Director:Ernest R. Dickerson

    Writer:Carole Lucia Satrina
20. 

    6.0/10(1 votes)

    #20 - Distant Signals

    S2:E811/17/1985

    A famous director is surprised when he is approached by a mysterious investor who wants him to finish up a "Fugitive"-like series that he had done twenty years ago that was cancelled before the final episodes were shown. "Mr. Smith" wants the director to put together the old cast and finish it out, for his "foreign viewers". The star, Van Conway, is a drunk but Mr. Smith mysteriously manages to sober him up. They finish up the series, where the viewers find out that the amnesiac lead character was being hunted by his jealous brother. Mr. Smith, satisfied at the symmetry, departs. It's left to Conway to explain what he believes is the truth: Smith is from a planet twenty light-years away. The aliens, which were part of a dual-planet system, became enraptured by the show and so sent their emissary to Earth to finish it so they could see the conclusion.

    Director:Bill Travis

    Writer:Unknown

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    Director:Bill Travis

    Writer:Unknown
21. 

    6.0/10(1 votes)

    #21 - A Choice of Dreams

    S2:E205/4/1986

    A mob boss suffering from a terminal illness is visited by an odd man who claims that he has the ability to offer the dying a choice of dreams after death. The mob boss is skeptical at first and threatens to kill the man for insulting his intelligence. After some contemplation, he accepts the man's offer and subjects to his medical experimentations. At first, the boss experiences nothing but pleasant memories. However, after a few days, memories of the people he has destroyed through his evil and ruthless lifestyle begin to creep into his dreams. The mob boss reports these dreams to the man and demands that these images not recur after he dies. The man assures the mob boss that the disturbing memories are only a momentary side effect that will subside after further medical alterations. As the mob boss subjects himself to the final operation which will complete the procedure, the horrible memories become permanent, completely taking the place of the pleasant ones. Inside the mob boss's

    Director:Gerald Cotts

    Writers:Edward F. Shaver, James Houghton

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    Director:Gerald Cotts

    Writers:Edward F. Shaver, James Houghton
22. 

    6.0/10(1 votes)

    #22 - Fear of Floating

    S2:E235/25/1986

    A hapless yokel, Arnold, runs into an Army recruiting office and asks for help, claiming to float. It turns out that he's telling the truth, but then Mr. Cooper and his pregnant daughter (pregnant by Arnold) show up and demand he do the right thing - it turns out that the more Arnold lies, the more he floats.

    Director:John Lewis

    Writer:Unknown

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    Director:John Lewis

    Writer:Unknown
23. 

    6.0/10(1 votes)

    #23 - The Geezenstacks

    S3:E510/26/1986

    A little girl, Audrey, discovers she can control her family by manipulating her doll family, the Geezenstacks, within her dollhouse.

    Director:Bill Travis

    Writer:Unknown

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    Director:Bill Travis

    Writer:Unknown
24. 

    6.0/10(1 votes)

    #24 - A Serpent's Tooth

    S3:E811/16/1986

    A kibbitzing mother, Pearl, warns her unlistening family but her warnings start to come true.

    Director:Frank De Palma

    Writer:Edithe Swensen

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    Director:Frank De Palma

    Writer:Edithe Swensen
25. 

    6.0/10(1 votes)

    #25 - Miss May Dusa

    S3:E121/18/1987

    A robber accidentally brings a mannequin to life - its gaze turns him into a statue. The now-living mannequin flees into the night, unaware of her powers or the harm she can bring.

    Director:Richard Blackburn

    Writer:Richard Blackburn

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    Director:Richard Blackburn

    Writer:Richard Blackburn