Tales from the Cryptis a horror anthology American TV series that ran from 1989 to 1996 on the premium cable channel HBO. The title was based on the 1950s EC Comics series of the same name and most of the content originated in that comic or the four other EC Comics of the time (Haunt of Fear,Vault of Horror,Crime SuspenStories, andShock SuspenStories). The show was produced by HBO with uncredited association by The Geffen Film Company and Warner Bros. Television (all part of a production consortium officially calledTales From The Crypt Holdings). The series is not to be confused with the 1972 film by the same name orTales from the Darkside, another similarly themed horror anthology series.

Because it was aired on HBO, a premium cable television station, it was one of the few anthology series to be allowed to have full freedom from censorship by the FCC. The station allowed the series to contain graphic violence as well as other content that had not appeared in most television series up to that time, such as profanity, gore, nudity and sexual situations.

While the series began production in the United States, in the final season filming moved to England, resulting in episodes which revolved around British characters.

It is currently being shown on Zone Horror in the UK, and in the U.S. on NBC Universal's horror-themed cable channel Chiller, which launched on March 1 2007. Prior to March 1, 2007 in the US, it was shown on Sci Fi Channel.

Warner Home Video has released all 7 seasons of the series on DVD for region 1. The DVDs for Seasons 1-3 are unique because they feature all-new Crypt Keeper introductions and segments. No such segments were filmed for Seasons 4-7. Region 2 releases have not been announced yet.

Awards

Tales from the Cryptwon the following awards:

• the 1991 Motion Picture Sound Editors' Golden Reel Award for Best Sound Editing - Television Half-Hour - ADR
• the 1992 Motion Picture Sound Editors' Golden Reel Award for Best Sound Editing - Television Episodic - Effects and Foley
• the 1993 Motion Picture Sound Editors' Golden Reel Award for Best Sound Editing - Television Episodic - Effects and Foley
• the 1994 American Cinema Editors' Eddie Award for Best Edited Half Hour Series for Television (for the episode "People Who Live in Brass Hearses")

Nominations

• the 1990 Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series (William Hickey in the episode "The Switch")
• the 1991 Young Artist Award for Best Young Actor in a Cable Special (Mike Simmrin)
• the 1992 Casting Society of America's Artios Award for Best Casting for TV, Dramatic Episodic
• the 1994 Emmy Awards for Outstanding Individual Achievement in Makeup for a Series and Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series (Kirk Douglas)
• the 1994 American Cinema Editors' Eddie Award for Best Edited Half Hour Series for Television (for the episode "The Lipreader")
• the 1994 Emmy Awards for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series (Tim Curry in the episode "Death Of Some Salesman"), Outstanding Individual Achievement in Costume Design for a Series and Outstanding Individual Achievement in Makeup for a Series
• the 1994 Young Artist Award for Best Youth Actor Guest Starring in a Television Show (Raushan Hammond)
• the 1995 Emmy Award for Outstanding Individual Achievement in Costume Design for a Series
• the 1996 American Society of Cinematographers Award for Outstanding Achievement in Cinematography in Regular Series (for the episode "You Murderer")