Tis' the season for holiday specials! Rudoph, Frosty and Santa bring holiday cheer to millions of people with their respective Christmas stories. But for those of you looking for a more macabre Christmas tale, here are a few scary holiday TV specials to watch as you warm yourself by the fire:
Tales From the Crypt: And All Through the House - Larry Drake (The title character from 1992's Dr. Giggles) plays a madman dressed as Santa Claus who terrorizes a woman on Christmas Eve. This beautifully shot episode opens up on a house decorated for the holidays with a backdrop of gently falling snow. With Christmas tunes in the air, this episode opens up in the tradition of Courier and Ives. The set up contrasts the horror that is soon to take place. "All Through the House" is a fun story that never takes itself too seriously. It has a memorable villian and makes good use of the holiday theme making it a great horror viewing for Christmas.
Tales from the Darkside: Season of Belief - This story opens up with two children, tired of hearing the same Christmas stories, ask their parents to tell them a scary story. Their parents proceed to tell them a story about the Grither, a monster who lives in the North Pole, that comes for those who say his name out loud. The parents continue to tell the tale despite the children's request for them to stop. As the children become more and more frightened, the parents don't let up for a minute! They get more and more detailed about this winged creature who flies faster and faster the more his name is spoken. The parents even sing a song about the Grither sung to the tune of "O Come, All Ye Faithful." Without giving too much away, the story is based on the theme of belief, and what happens if a belief is so strong that it just might be true. Adding a little more holiday connection, E.G. Marshall, who plays Grandpa Art in "Christmas Vacation" plays the father in the tale.
The Twilight Zone: The Night of the Meek - One of the greatest horror/Christmas crossovers ever in the history of television. Art Carney plays a department store Santa who is fired on Christmas Eve. He finds a magical sack, which he uses to give gifts to those who are less fortunate. Though not very scary, "The Night of the Meek" does have real heart and displays the true Christmas Spirit.
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