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Guest

Posted: Sat Sep 02, 2000 3:31 am Post subject:

A previous discussion down below regarding the best short stories got me thinking about some of the ones that have been made into movies or episodes of TV anthology series. I guess there might be some question about which came first, the published story or the film, but I like to assume that the short story preceded the filming. I mentioned Charles Beaumont as the source of many Twilight Zone episodes. I know that Tales from the Darkside filmed more than one story from Dan Simmons. And, of course, 'The Thing'. How many others can you guys come up with? Submitted By: Layback76

Guest

Posted: Sun Sep 03, 2000 8:59 pm Post subject:

I think "Tales From the Darkside" adapted a version of "The Yattering and Jack", a hilarious black comedy from Clive Barker's "Books of Blood." A classic Christmas horror tale. Has anyone seen this? If there's one TV horror episode that I could pick having a look at it would be this one. I can't remember all that many right now but I seem to recall that there was a British program that adapted loads of Roald Dahl's stories, and I dimly remember that the story "Royal Jelly" was a really creepy one. About a baby who undergoes a freaky transformation when she's fed a mix of honey from her "mad scientist" father, with the mother as a frightened spectator to the whole spectacle. Submitted By: Fenny

Guest

Posted: Mon Sep 04, 2000 6:10 am Post subject:

One that comes to mind right now was an adaption of King's short story "Moving Finer" for that old MONSTERS television anthology show. I remember it starred that bad guy from RoboCop 2. It was stupid but in a good way if you know what I mean. Submitted By: Mr Self Affliction

Guest

Posted: Tue Sep 05, 2000 5:02 am Post subject:

I have not seen that, Mr Self Affliction, but I've read NIGHTMARES AND DREAMSCAPES so I'm well familiar with "The Moving Finger" I thought this was a terrible tale. So, I thought, was "Chattery Teeth" but that didn't stop it from being adapted into the first half of a two segmented TV-movie directed by Mick Garris. "The Body Politic" by Clive Barker was the other adaption in this peculiar piece of movie titled QUICKSILVER HIGHWAY. Here's a question for you guys. I know that probably most of you has seen TALES FROM THE DARKSIDE: The Movie. It has a story by King titled "The Cat From Hell." But has anyone actually read the original story? As far as I know it's not in any of his collections. I read "Cat" in Ellen Datlow's excellent anthology of cat horror, TWISTS OF THE TALE. It's a straightforward story so it's very similar to George Romero's script. I like the story a lot and the ending, albeit like, is a bit more cool than movie. Submitted By: Fenny

Guest

Posted: Tue Sep 05, 2000 7:49 pm Post subject:

Yeah, "The Moving Finger" was not the best story in the world but I kind of like it. It's just so strange and bizzare. Haven't read "Chattery Teeth" but I did see Quicksilver Highway. Was not too impressed. I have read "The Cat From Hell" by Stephen King and it does appear in my edition of TWISTS OF THE TALE edited by Ellen Datlow. Maybe it appears as "Cat" in the British Edition. Submitted By: Mr Self Affliction

Guest

Posted: Wed Sep 06, 2000 12:56 am Post subject:

I too have read "The Cat from Hell" in TWISTS OF THE TALE. That book was really good. There are several excellent cat anthologies, but we'll save that for another time... When discussing adaptations, we can't leave out Robert Bloch! Most people forget that several episodes of Star Trek were taken from his stories, as well as episodes of Alfred Hitchcock Presents and Tales From The Darkside. He also wrote extensively for radio, and he has about 10 movies based on his work (good luck finding them!). He's my favorite, so I've gotta plug him whenever possible! Submitted By: Deena

Guest

Posted: Wed Sep 06, 2000 6:16 am Post subject:

The old T.V. anthology show Thriller was a treasure-trove of adapted horror stories, mostly from the Weird Tales vein. Robert Bloch scriptwrote several of his stories for it (Yours Truly, Jack the Ripper stands out in my mind). At least two of August Derleth's stories (Mr. George and A Wig For Ms. DeVore[don't know if I spelled that right]) were aired, along with a funny adaptation of Henry Kuttner's Masquerade. I personally have on tape Pigeons From Hell, by Robert E. Howard. According to Stephen King in Danse Macabre, many horror fans consider this the most frightening episode of horror television ever made (though King himself does not concur, but he does consider it an excellent piece, and thinks highly of the original story). Sci-Fi Channel use to air Thriller, though I don't know if that's the case anymore. I remember reading recently that the episodes aired were slightly edited, though I'm not too sure how. Rod Serling's Night Gallery was supposed to have aired interesting and fairly decent adaptations of Lovecraft's Cool Air and Pickman's Model, though unfortunately I haven't caught them. I do know that at least one Derleth story (The Dark Boy) was adapted for that series. Interesting, though not particularly frightening. More of an emotional piece. Almost WAFFy (Warm and Fuzzy Feeling). The second run of Alfred Hitchcock's ran an episode based off of Ray Bradbury's The Jar. I'm not familiar with the source story (I'm not too fond of Bradbury) and my memory of the episode is hazy, so I can't really comment on it. Hope people find this interesting or useful. Jeremy Harper Submitted By: Jeremy Harper

Guest

Posted: Wed Sep 06, 2000 3:09 pm Post subject:

Weclome Jeremy. I remember watching THRILLER but don't really remember any of the shows. Never watched Night Gallery but I know that Lovecraft's story "Cool Air" was also adapted for the movie NECRONOMICON. It was actually pretty decent. I would have loved to have seen "The Jar" adaption. Unlike you I'm a fan of Bradbury's and "The Jar" is an excellent tale. Submitted By: Mr Self Affliction

Guest

Posted: Thu Sep 07, 2000 5:03 pm Post subject:

You misunderstood me, Mr Self Affliction. I just wrote "Cat" for short. I does appear as "The Cat From Hell" in my version of TOTT. The only Ellen Datlow anthology that is markedly different in American and European editions is LITTLE DEATHS. This is my favourite original anthology so I have them both. The American version has more stories; "Sahib" (J. Calvin Pierce); "Yaguara" (Nicola Griffith); "Sinfonia Expansiva" (Barry N. Malzberg); "The Rock" (Melanie Tem); "The Disquieting Muse" (Kathe Koja); "Holes" (Sarah Clemens); "Black Nightgown" (K. W. Jeter) and "The Last Time" (Lucius Shepard). To compensate the British edition has Dan Simmons award-winning and provocative novella "Dying in Bangkok." Powerful story aside, I don't think it can compensate for all those stories. QUESTION FOR DEENA: I've noticed you are a big fan of Robert Bloch. May I ask, have you got his autobiography ONCE AROUND THE BLOCH? This one is so good I'm gonna send it to you for free if you haven't. You just HAVE to read it! Submitted By: Fenny

Guest

Posted: Thu Sep 07, 2000 8:09 pm Post subject:

Ahhhhhh. Now our minds are on the right track. "Dying In Bangkok," I still need to read that one. Submitted By: Mr Self Affliction

Guest

Posted: Thu Sep 07, 2000 8:46 pm Post subject:

Dying in Bangkok is an exceptional story. Dan Simmons is so descriptive and not afraid to tell every gory detail. I HAVE NOT read Once Around the Bloch! I want to SO badly! I can never find it... everyone says it's out of print. Please send it... please... please... What do I need to do? Email you my address? There ARE limits to what I'll do, Fenny, before that brain of yours starts scheming... Submitted By: Deena

Guest

Posted: Thu Sep 07, 2000 9:51 pm Post subject:

Yeah, We could have a real Blochian internet horror story here. A man from the old world packs his suitcase full of steel and leather and travels to the Americas with an address firmly rooted in his mind. No, actually that sounds more like something Ramsey Campbell or Richard Laymon would do. It could get nasty...or you could be happy. There's a going that says; who dares wins. It's your call lady. One thing is at least unmistakably obvious; there's no way on earth I can send the book without an address. If there perchance IS a way, I'd be more than happy to hear it and act on it. We could do it the hard way if you feel you can trust Mr Self Affliction. I could send it to him, and then he could send it to you. But then you'd never know if HE gave me your address behind your back and you'd still live in fear for that fateful knock on the door. Personally I'm just another horror fan, who has never been in a fight in all my life and most certainly never physically hurt anyone. And I just want to send a book to someone who I feel would appreciate it particularly. It's your call, lady. If you decline I'm keeping an awfully good book, is all. No sweat either way. Submitted By: Fenny

Guest

Posted: Thu Sep 07, 2000 11:17 pm Post subject:

I trust you implicitly Fenny, and I have no problem giving you my address. It should be on the way to you now... No need to get defensive Submitted By: Deena

Guest

Posted: Fri Sep 08, 2000 4:25 am Post subject:

AH HAAAA! Now you have fallen into his trap Deena. No getting out now. Whaa ha ha ha ha! All kidding aside. Fenny the best. You can trust him with your heart. I'm sure he's got a clean jar for it somewhere within his domicile. Submitted By: Mr Self Affliction

Guest

Posted: Fri Sep 08, 2000 5:11 am Post subject:

TO DEENA AND MR SELF AFFLICTION: As you both perhaps know I'm in the midst of a total ruin, financially. In plain English, I'm as broke as a junkyard skunk! My payment isn't until next Thurday, meaning, I won't be able to send off the books 'til next weekend round. When I do I'll send 'em off with fastest possiple delivery (takes about a week or so) but I'll email each of you the day I've sent the packages just for notice's sake. I just want you to know you have to anoint yourselves with some patience. Thanks. Submitted By: Fenny

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