You can tell a lot about someone by the kind of horror anthology TV shows that they watched growing up.  Yeah, screw finding out about someone’s personality.  It’s all about what side of the fence they’re on:  Tales From The Darkside or Tales From The Crypt.  I’m not about to tackle which show was actually better though at this point in time.  What I am going to do is talk about the openings to each show and pick your brain about which you like better. Ready?  You’re up first Tales From The Darkside:

Yeeeeeeah.  God I love that intro.  It’s simple, but oh so creepy.  See, they pull you in from the start with the ominous music while video of dewey meadows and serene water flowing creeks play in the background.  If you’ve seen any horror movie though, you know things are going to take a dark turn.  And then that voiceover guy comes in and when he gets to his “BUT…..” (one of the best buts I’ve ever heard by the way), you know you’re in trouble!  Uh oh.  He’s talking about a place that isn’t as brightly lit!  And then the video flipped around making everything darker and the music got even more ominous!  Shit…..a DARKSIDE?  Cue the dreaded music sting and up comes the blood red dripping font letting you know that you’re about to watch Tales From The Darkside.  Whew.

Ok.  Let’s see what you got Tales From The Crypt:

Danny Elfman!  Yeah, he composed the music and the overall feel is definitely more along the lines of The Haunted Mansion ride at Disneyland and less anxiety ridden like the music from Tales From The Darkside.  Not that I’m complaining about that, because it fits with the overall vibe of the show and of the comic that Tales From The Crypt is based on.  Love the one shot camera movement through the mansion and down to the basement, where we finally come face to face with our host, The Cryptkeeper as he pops out of his dusty coffin.  Cue his trademark maniacal laugh and the goopy green and purple title card and we’re ready to go!  Obviously more fun than our previous opening, but which one left more of an impact on you growing up?

This is tough.  One one hand, Tales From The Darkside gives me that horror vibe that I love.  The cheesy 80’s music with the nasty little ‘punch in the gut’ sting at the end.  On the other hand, Tales From The Crypt nailed it’s comic book vibe and gives the audience a fun intro that sets up what the show is really about.  I don’t remember any episodes during Tales From The Crypt’s run that really scared me, but I can think of a few in the Tales From The Darkside category that did.  And at the end of the day, I have to go with my horror gut, even though I love both series and this is strictly a personal judgement on the show intros.  And the winner is……..

TALES FROM THE DARKSIDE 

No worries if you disagree with me, because it’s all love in the world of horror anthology TV intros.  Down the road, we’ll make the actual shows go head to head, but this is baby steps territory right now.  By the way…..remember the short lived Tales From The Darkside successor Monsters?  Ehhh – the cyclop family just didn’t do it for me as far as intros go, but I kinda dug the music.  I’ll leave you with it as a bonus.  Don’t say I never give you anything.