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Tales from the Crypt (1996) Season 3 Episode 10

Mournin' Mess

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Episode Summary

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AIRED: 7/31/91

An alcoholic down-on-his-luck reporter investigating several homeless murders discovers they may be related to the organization, "Grateful Homeless Outcasts and Unwanted Layaway Society".

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Fan Episode Reviews (2)

A hack reporter nneds a hot story, and fast! He decides to take on the case of the murders of the city's homeless, but he may be getting in over his head.moreless

10

By gguirao, Nov 27, 2009

A predictable destination, but an enjoyable ride. You can see the punchline from a mile away. When an organization goes by the accronym GHOULS, you know something is wrong. Too bad Dale Sweeny (Steven Weber) didn't catch on, otherwise he would have never bit into this news story that ended up biting him back.

As soon as you see that monument constructed in honor of the Grateful Homeless Outcasts and Unwanted Layaway Society, the rest of the story was just waiting for things to come full circle. Still, watching the "homeless killer" strike and the reporter bungle through his pursuit of the story will be enough to keep you interested and entertained. So sit back and enjoy this morbid little morsel. I promise you'll be hungry for more.moreless
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Hobo Killer is there more behind it?

9.0

By CryptTales92, Jan 28, 2007

I think this episode is a little underated. When ever I first watched it I just thought about how clever the plot was. The association that claimed to be helping the homless(GHOULS) was the culprit and that to me is well written. Who is going to suspect that? Its got the perfect amount of mystery, suspense and horror--all of my favorites--and everything that makes a good Tales from the Crypt. This episode is definitely on my top ten list. The desperate reporter and hobo--framed for murder--who informs the reporter to go to the graveyard if he wants to see something special adds a great touch to a masterfull written story. It was also in one of the original EC comics.moreless
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Cast & Crew: STARS

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John Kassir

voice of The Crypt Keeper

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Cast & Crew: RECURRING AND GUESTS

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Steven Weber	Dale Sweeney	Guest Star
Rita Wilson	Jess Gilchrist	Guest Star
Ally Walker	Elaine Tillman	Guest Star

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Trivia, Notes, Quotes and Allusions

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TRIVIA (3)
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- Running Time: [excluding opening title sequence] 25 minutes 25 seconds.
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- Music: Composed by Nicholas Pike.
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- Crypt Keeper Wardrobe: In the opening wraparound segment, the Crypt Keeper is dressed as a cook.
  
  In the closing wraparound segment, the Crypt Keeper is wearing a tuxedo.
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QUOTES (4)
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- [Opening wraparound segment with the Crypt Keeper dressed as a cook, reading a Betty Croaker cookbook]
  The Crypt Keeper: Ah, there you are. You're just in time. I'm trying a few recipes from my new Betty Croaker's cook book. I hope you like shish kabob. Damn! It isn't ready yet! Bob's still moving! [laughs] Tonight's foul feast will begin with mashed potatoes, then onto some shrieking duck and finished with a nice kill-basa. I call this tasty tidbit, "Mournin' Mess".
  
  [Closing wraparound segment with the Crypt Keeper finishing a meal]
  The Crypt Keeper: Mmm...pretty tasteless, wouldn't you say? I guess in the end, Mr. Sweeney learned not to go digging in other people's business. Although you'll be happy to hear that he's found himself a new career...as a ghostwriter. [laughs] So, still hungry for dessert? I hope you like Cannibal Soup. It's mm-mm good! [laughs]
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- Robert: Nice place you got here. It makes the street look like the f*cking White House.
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- Sweeny: Who are you people?
  Man in the chair: Until recently we were known as the infamous homeless killer, but you may know us as the Grateful Homeless Outcasts and Unwanted Layaway Society.
  Sweeny: "Ghouls?!
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- Eliane: Well,maybe you should buy an alcohol-powered generator, that way you could urinate into it every morning and have enough electricity for the whole day.
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NOTES (2)
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- EC Comic Connection: Story adapted from Tales From The Crypt #38, Oct-Nov. 1953. Script by Al Feldstein with art by Graham Ingels.
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- The acronym for "Grateful Homeless Outcasts and Unwanted Layaway Society" is "GHOULS".
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ALLUSIONS (1)
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- Talking Crypt Keeper doll
  
  A doll of the Crypt Keeper released in 1993 as part of the animated Tales From The Cryptkeeper animated series but look was modeled after the HBO version. This doll came in a few different outfits, straw hat beach wear and tuxedo. A button was located on his chest which said phrases when pressed. The doll can be found in original Tales From The Crypt Keeper packaging as well as later releases in Tales From The Crypt packaging.
  
  In this episode, the tuxedo that is worn by the Crypt Keeper in the closing wraparound segment is possibly the inspiration for the tuxedo version of the Talking Crypt Keeper doll as it is near identical.
  
  The Crypt Keeper also wears the tuxedo in the episode, "Top Billing".
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