Writer:	Tom Lyons (II), Colman Dekay
Director:	Elliot Silverstein
Star:	John Kassir (voice of The Crypt Keeper)
Guest Star:	Adam Storke (Ray Wells),  Jake Busey (Frank),  Bette Ford (Mrs. Peterson),  Clare Hoak (Josie),  Rance Howard (Desmond Wells),  Michele Landry (Emma),  Constance Wiggins (Nurse)

Colman deKay also co-wrote the episodes, "Fatal Caper", "In The Groove" and "Staired In Horror". (edit) Elliot Silverstein also directed the episodes, "Curiosity Killed", "Well Cooked Hams" and "The Reluctant Vampire". (edit) EC Comic Connection: Story adapted from "Vault Of Horror" #37, June-July 1954. Story and art by Johnny Craig. (edit)

Ray: What is this?
Josie: Fruit juice, some Tang, a little sherbet, and lots of grain alcohol. I call it "Midnight Special", 'cause if you drink it till midnight, things get pretty damn special. (edit) [Opening wraparound segment with the Crypt Keeper dressed in skiing gear.]
The Crypt Keeper: Greetings, thrill shriekers. Care to join me on the scare lift? Good. Your pal the Crypt Keeper's quite the ex-scream skier. I just love the feeling of going fester and fester. Talk about hack-xhilarating. Which is kind of how the man in tonight's terror tale feels. He's just started down a black die-amond run of his own in a nasty nugget I call, "Surprise Party".

[Closing wraparound segment with the Crypt Keeper in a ski lodge.]
The Crypt Keeper: Poor Ray. Well, at least he went out in a blaze of gory. Still, talk about a pain in the ash. [laughs]
Woman: Hi Cryptie.
The Crypt Keeper: As for me kiddies, I'm about skied out. Not that I didn't have fun, but these boots are killing me. Ow. Uhh. Oh my. [Cryptkeeper has a large, pulsing lump on his foot] Now that's what I call the agony of de feet! [laughs]
(edit)

Music: Composed by Walter Werzowa. (edit) Crypt Keeper Wardrobe: In the opening wraparound segment, the Crypt Keeper is dressed as a skier. In the closing wraparound segment, the Crypt Keeper is dressed in a ski lodge sweater while in a ski lodge. (edit)

Burning Love by Elvis Presley

1972 smash-hit by Elvis Presley which contained the famed lyrics "I'm just a hunka-hunka burning love".

In this episode, Josie exclaims, "Damn! Where did this hunka-hunka burning love come from?"

This quote fits perfectly in the episode since all of the people at the surprise party are dressed in the 1970s clothing they were originally wearing the evening of their demise and it is sly word play in regards to the fate of the teens. (edit)