By Melissa Antoinette Garza
Jim Korman (Harry Anderson) illustrates pictures for the Tales from the Crypt comic. He’s struggling with his latest picture when his wife Mildred (Colleen Camp) comes in and berates him in front of the other workers. She makes fun of his artwork, accuses him of cheating, and demands that he take experimental drugs to help her get pregnant. When he voices his concern about the possible side effects, she silences him with her shriek voice and he backs down.
When she leaves, he goes back to his drawing with more fervor than ever and makes a huge monster.
Soon the side effects of the fertility drugs is shown. The monsters that he draws are coming to life and entering the real world.
The acting is good. The plot is pretty simple but effective nonetheless. This will appeal to fans of Killer Klowns from Outerspace (1988) and Explorers (1985). It’s silly and stupid and over-the-top but not without charm. It definitely has a cult and campy feel to it.
Anderson always has a level of cuteness to him. I grew up watching him in Night Court and just adored him in it. He also was great in Stephen King’s IT (1990) which other than the awful ending, is probably one of the greatest mini-series of all time. He fits into the role of Korman well.
Cynthia Gibb also does well as Korman’s romantic interest and a reporter who is trying to get to the bottom of the reports of monsters.
Camp, though a complete caricature, fits well in the episode as the stereotypical insane wife.
The make-up on the monsters is the best part of the episode. It makes one long for the days before CGI.
Scared Stiff Rating: 4.5/10
