Tales from ‘Tales from the Crypt’: Exhuming Season Four’s “Strung Along” Episode

There was a time when Tales from the Crypt (1989–1996) was considered one of the most macabre shows on television. Admittedly, there wasn’t a ton of horror on the small screen back then, but even still, this series was gruesome. Its home of HBO had a lot to do with that; the permissive cable channel made it possible for certain episodes, such as Season Four’s “Strung Along”, to be as awful as they desired. 

So, is this puppet-themed story the most ghastly thing to come out of Tales from the Crypt? Hardly. “Strung Along”, however, understood how to use its time well, how not to drag out the violence, and how to shock the audience. Funny enough, though, this is an episode that, in spite of its haunting ending, feels tamer than the source material. The comic counterpart for “Strung Along” goes out on a note that is perhaps too disturbing, even for Tales from the Crypt.

Before going any further, take a look behind the scenes of “Strung Along”. This late Season Four episode might not have the directing pedigree of others in the series—this season alone had episodes directed by William Friedkin and John Frankenheimer—but it was helmed by the Crypt Keeper’s maker and handler. Special effects wizard Kevin Yagher, who was requested to create the show’s iconic host, was also responsible for getting John Kassir cast. After gaining experience in the director’s chair, beginning with Season Two’s “Lower Berth”, Yagher came back for an episode that felt right up his alley.

There seemed to be no one better to direct “Strung Along” than the person who brought Chucky into the world. Yagher was built for a story about killer puppets. Or so, that’s what this episode appears to be about (spoiler: it is). Initially, a murderer on strings looms over that plot of a faded puppeteer and his shady wife, until it’s time for the inevitable reveal. The show’s own “no batteries” scene, you could say. Smartly, though, Yagher and co-writer Yale Udoff (Bad Timing) didn’t allow their collaboration to be so routine. What you think will happen, most definitely does happen—just now in a different way.

This episode is partly in the vein of classic psychological thrillers—the kind where, bit by bit, someone is driven to madness by someone close to him or her. And here, the victim of such malice is a retired puppeteer (or marionettist) named Joseph Renfield (Donald O’Connor). Once a successful entertainer, Joseph is now deeply unhappy. A bad heart has ended his career, as well as caused problems in his marriage. With all this free time on his hands, Joseph’s mind also wanders. He’s become suspicious about his wife, Ellen (Patricia Charbonneau), as she spends every Tuesday night at her acting class.

It doesn’t take a detective to figure out what’s going on here, especially after Ellen supplies the assistant needed for Joseph’s sudden comeback; someone in her acting class, a guy named “David” (Zach Galligan), is quickly brought in to help organize the new show. That handsome stranger is actually more into mechanical, or remote-controlled, puppets, but he’s a fast learner. David is also the only person who looks to be supporting Joseph and his new project. Ellen lays it on pretty thick with her disruptions and open hostility, whereas Galligan’s role is a little less obvious. So much so that you’re almost disappointed once the ruse is over and the villains show their hand. Joseph is so pathetic that you wish David’s friendship had been genuine.

As for the “Strung Along!” found in EC Comics’ The Vault of Horror, there is no David character, or even any kind of convoluted plan to murder Joseph’s parallel. That even more depressed marionettist, Tony Zargano, feels the full anger of his money-grubbing wife, Nora, before she simply leaves him. Fed up with her husband’s blue period and no longer living the life of luxury, Nora gives up her long con, says words that could cut steel, and then storms out. It’s really more heartbreaking than horrifying.

If not for its last two pages, the comic version of “Strung Along!” wouldn’t qualify as horror. Most of the story just shows Tony stuck in his bed, reminiscing about the past, and trying to figure out why things went so wrong in life. It’s that familiar sort of tragedy that’s been long associated with brilliant artists. Yet as a change of pace, it’s the comic, and not the Crypt adaptation, that draws a fuller picture of the character. Tony’s fragile heart keeps him immobile but also reflective.

The comic’s shift into horror occurs as soon as Nora has a supposed change of heart. The story’s remainder is largely saturated in blues and blacks, and apart from the last two panels, Nora’s face is never shown to the audience. She never speaks a word, either. Regardless, a reconciliation commences, and Nora makes Tony’s last night on Earth “complete”. The next morning, the cops show up to find both Tony and Nora dead; it’s safe to assume he had a heart attack. Nora, on the other hand, died before her reunion with Tony. Those marionettes, in their own twisted way, wanted to make sure that their friend would have one last night of happiness.

So, as you can see, Tales from the Crypt opted for a necrophilia-free ending. After serving up a plot twist that feels like it came out of an old Jimmy Sangster script, “Strung Along” delivers the comeuppance portion of the story. It just couldn’t end with Ellen and David/Rick scaring poor Joseph into another heart attack. No, the episode needed to make good on its promise of a killer Koko the Clown. However, instead of a drawn-out chase sequence, the episode spits out a conclusion that is both fulfilling and eerie. You’re left with a rather creepy last image.

While the comic ends up being more depraved, Tales from the Crypt’s “Strung Along” is more of a complete story. The latter also doesn’t skimp on the grisliness. Either way, you’ll be sure to get your fill of puppet horror.

Season Four of Tales from the Crypt can be streamed on Shudder, starting on May 22.

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Tales from Tales from the Crypt celebrates the show’s Shudder premiere by singling out one episode from each season. So don’t even think about changing that dial, boys and ghouls. More spot-“frights” are to come.

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