Episode 7 – “Dead Right” | It Hails from the Crypt

For richer or poorer… but preferably richer.

This week on It Hails from the Crypt, Fred and Tim kick off Season 2 of HBO’s Tales from the Crypt with “Dead Right,” a twisted tale of fortune telling, greed, marriage, murder, and the dangers of getting exactly what you wished for.

First, we head back to EC Comics and Shock SuspenStories #6, home of the original 1952 story “Dead Right!” We compare the comic to the HBO adaptation, examining what changed, what stayed faithful, and how a gruesome EC morality tale was transformed for television.

Then we dig into the episode itself, directed by Howard Deutch, best known for Pretty in Pink, Some Kind of Wonderful, and The Great Outdoors, from a screenplay by Andy Wolk.

Howard Deutch – IMDb⁠

Andy Wolk – IMDb⁠

The episode stars Demi Moore as Cathy, an ambitious secretary who receives a prediction that marrying the thoroughly repulsive Charlie will eventually make her rich. Moore was right on the verge of superstardom, with Ghost arriving in theaters just a few months after “Dead Right” first aired.

Demi Moore – IMDb⁠

Opposite Moore is Jeffrey Tambor as the unforgettable Charlie Marno, with Natalija Nogulich as mysterious fortune teller Madame Vorna and Troy Evans as Al.

Jeffrey Tambor – IMDb⁠

Natalija Nogulich – IMDb⁠

Troy Evans – IMDb⁠

And, of course, John Kassir returns as the voice of the Crypt Keeper.

John Kassir – IMDb⁠

Along the way, we talk about Demi Moore’s career, Jeffrey Tambor’s grotesque transformation, Howard Deutch’s direction, the episode’s pitch-black sense of humor, and how “Dead Right” helped launch a bigger and more ambitious second season of Tales from the Crypt.

“Dead Right” – IMDb⁠

Finally, we crack open the Vault of MORE for another batch of deep-cut recommendations inspired by this week’s episode.

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