Horror History: Tuesday, April 8, 1986: “The Hitchhiker” episode “Man of Her Dreams” premiered

Season 3 Episode 12

Jill McGuiness is a lonely daydreaming bank officer who constantly fantasizes about her dream lover. When she dreams about murders and finds that they actually happened, she is unable to distinguish dream from reality. When she finally meets Mr. Right, Jim, she snaps out of her dream world and catches him just in time.

Read more “Horror History: Tuesday, April 8, 1986: “The Hitchhiker” episode “Man of Her Dreams” premiered”

Horror History: Tuesday, March 25, 1986: “The Hitchhiker” episode “Last Scene” premiered

Season 3 Episode 11

Alex, a former actor, tries to prove his abilities as a first-time director and in his first film, he must deal with a first-time actress, Leda Bidell. When Leda realizes his scheme, she enacts the last scene with him in reality and instills in him a fear that haunts him for the rest of his life.

Read more “Horror History: Tuesday, March 25, 1986: “The Hitchhiker” episode “Last Scene” premiered”

Horror History: Tuesday, March 11, 1986: “The Hitchhiker” episode “True Believer” premiered

Season 3 Episode 10

Detective Frank Sheen doesn’t believe in the supernatural, and doesn’t expect much when he goes in to investigate the mysterious suicide of a priest. Father Dowling claims the area is demonically possessed. Frank has no idea there used to be a convent located there, which closed after one of the nuns committed suicide. The more time he spends there, though, the more suicidal his thoughts become.

Read more “Horror History: Tuesday, March 11, 1986: “The Hitchhiker” episode “True Believer” premiered”

Horror History: Tuesday, February 25, 1986: “The Hitchhiker” episode “The Curse” premiered

Season 3 Episode 9

Jerry MacLachlan promises Serita, one of the tenants, that he will make repairs to the building, but the cost soon becomes too much for him. After Jerry becomes involved with the exotic Tanya he discovers a snake tattoo on his body. Both Serita and Tanya advise him on how to get rid of the tattoo, and he realises they’re the same person.

Read more “Horror History: Tuesday, February 25, 1986: “The Hitchhiker” episode “The Curse” premiered”

Horror History: Sunday, February 23, 1986: “Tales From The Darkside” episode “The Last Car”

Season 2 Episode 19

A young woman on her way home from college rides the last car of a train and discovers bizarre passengers.

Written by Michael McDowell.

Read more “Horror History: Sunday, February 23, 1986: “Tales From The Darkside” episode “The Last Car””

Horror History: Sunday, February 16, 1986: “Tales From The Darkside” episode “The Old Soft Shoe” premiered

Season 2 Episode 18

A salesman hits on an attractive woman at a motel and is subsequently pursued by another angry, jealous woman.

Written by Art Monterastelli and guest-starring Paul Dooley.

Read more “Horror History: Sunday, February 16, 1986: “Tales From The Darkside” episode “The Old Soft Shoe” premiered”

Horror History: Tuesday, February 11, 1986: “The Hitchhiker” episode “Dead Man’s Curve” premiered

Season 3 Episode 8

When famous novelist Claudia returns home for her high school reunion, it reopens old wounds in Lee, the local sheriff. Claudia learns that Lance, her town-appointed escort, is the son of a former high school boyfriend — and he blames her for his father’s death. Lance and Lee fight over Claudia and replay the fateful event that took the life of Lance’s father, only this time Lee is the victim of the Dead Man’s Curve.

Read more “Horror History: Tuesday, February 11, 1986: “The Hitchhiker” episode “Dead Man’s Curve” premiered”

Horror History: Sunday, February 9, 1986: “Tales From The Darkside” episode “The Shrine” premiered

Season 2 Episode 17

A woman competes against a little girl for the affection and attention of her own mother.

Written by Jule Selbo from a story by Pamela Sargent and guest-starring Lorna Luft.

Read more “Horror History: Sunday, February 9, 1986: “Tales From The Darkside” episode “The Shrine” premiered”

Horror History: Sunday, February 2, 1986: “Tales From The Darkside” episode “Printer’s Devil” premiered

Season 2 Episode 16

A writer learns that his new agent can make his novels succeed, and all he needs is a small sacrifice involving animals.

Written and directed by John Harrison, based on a story by Ron Goulart and guest-starring Larry Manetti.

Read more “Horror History: Sunday, February 2, 1986: “Tales From The Darkside” episode “Printer’s Devil” premiered”

Horror History: Tuesday, January 28, 1986: “The Hitchhiker” episode “O.D. Feelin'” premiered

Season 3 Episode 7

Rat witnesses a group murder among feuding drug dealers, steals the drugs from the dead bodies, and leaves the scene of the crime. The Wise Man and The Fool find her laying dead and take the package of cocaine. Unbeknownst to all of them, Mr. Big, the original owner, sends his henchmen out to retrieve it at any cost.

Read more “Horror History: Tuesday, January 28, 1986: “The Hitchhiker” episode “O.D. Feelin’” premiered”

Horror History: Sunday, January 26, 1986: “Tales From The Darkside” episode “A New Lease on Life” premiered

Season 2 Episode 15

A man gets the modern, fully equipped apartment of his dreams in exchange for providing his new landlady with lots of garbage.

Written by Harvey Jacobs and Michael McDowell. Guest-starring Marie Windsor.

Read more “Horror History: Sunday, January 26, 1986: “Tales From The Darkside” episode “A New Lease on Life” premiered”

Horror History: Sunday, January 19, 1986: “Tales From The Darkside” episode “Dream Girl” premiered

Season 2 Episode 14

A theatrical director finds herself acting out the dreams of a meek stagehand along with her co-workers. Written and directed by Timna Ramon, based on a short story by Barbara Paul.

Read more “Horror History: Sunday, January 19, 1986: “Tales From The Darkside” episode “Dream Girl” premiered”

Horror History: Sunday, January 12, 1986: “Tales From The Darkside” episode “Comet Watch” premiered

Season 2 Episode 3

A man and his henpecking wife gets unexpected guests when Sir Edmond Halley and a young lady from the long-ago past on the night Halley’s Comet appears. Written by Harvey Jacobs and Jule Selbo. Guest-starring Fritz Weaver and Anthony Heald.

Read more “Horror History: Sunday, January 12, 1986: “Tales From The Darkside” episode “Comet Watch” premiered”

Horror History: Tuesday, January 7, 1986: “The Hitchhiker” episode “Ghostwriter” premiered

Season 3 Episode 6

Jeffrey Hunt is willing to do anything to make a name for himself — even die. But after Jeffrey fakes his own death, his wife Debby, believing her husband has gone on, continues his affair with his agent, Tony Lynch, only to learn that her husband is alive and well and that, if she wants to profit, she needs to get rid of him for real. Unfortunately, everyone must pay for their roles in Jeffrey’s deception.

Read more “Horror History: Tuesday, January 7, 1986: “The Hitchhiker” episode “Ghostwriter” premiered”

Horror History: Sunday, December 22, 1985: “Tales From The Darkside” episode “Monsters in My Room” premiered

Season 2 Episode 12

A little boy who fears an octopus, a living buzz saw, and a demon are in his room finds they are all too real.

Written and directed by James Sadwith and guest-starring Seth Green.

Read more “Horror History: Sunday, December 22, 1985: “Tales From The Darkside” episode “Monsters in My Room” premiered”

Horror History: Tuesday, December 10, 1985: “The Hitchhiker” episode “Man’s Best Friend” premiered

Season 3 Episode 5

When Richard Shepard is kicked out of his house by his wife Eleanor, he stays at a friend’s place and takes in a stray dog that begins killing off Richard’s enemies. When the dog goes for Eleanor, Richard tries to keep the dog from killing the woman he loves.

Read more “Horror History: Tuesday, December 10, 1985: “The Hitchhiker” episode “Man’s Best Friend” premiered”

Horror History: Sunday, December 8, 1985: “Tales From The Darkside” episode “Effect and Cause” premiered

Season 2 Episode 11

A woman learns she can change the world around her at random, but soon loses control of events. Written by Michael P. Kube-McDowell.

Read more “Horror History: Sunday, December 8, 1985: “Tales From The Darkside” episode “Effect and Cause” premiered”

Horror History: Sunday, December 1, 1985: “Tales From The Darkside” episode “Ursa Minor” premiered

Season 2 Episode 10

A little girl blames her new teddy bear for various pranks in her parents’ house. They do not believe her-until giant claw marks on the walls and lumbering sounds at night convince them. The mother destroys the teddy, but forgets one of the most basic rules of the wild-harm the child, and you must meet the mother… Written and directed by Ted Gershuny, based on a story by John Sladek.

Read more “Horror History: Sunday, December 1, 1985: “Tales From The Darkside” episode “Ursa Minor” premiered”

Horror History: Tuesday, November 26, 1985: “The Hitchhiker” episode “W.G.O.D.” premiered

Season 3 Episode 4

Nolan Powers is a money-hungry radio evangelist preaching on the air waves about the Bible. 0ff the air, he’s a self-righteous greedy man. A tabloid news reporter, Sato, digs up the story about how Powers killed his brother, Gerald. Gerald’s ghost comes back to haunt him, ruin his career and pay him back for causing his death.

Read more “Horror History: Tuesday, November 26, 1985: “The Hitchhiker” episode “W.G.O.D.” premiered”

Horror History: Sunday, November 24, 1985: “Tales From The Darkside” episode “The Trouble with Mary Jane” premiered

Season 2 Episode 9

A family offers $50,000 to whoever can rid young Mary Jane of the demons possessing her. Guest starring – Phyllis Diller and Lawrence Tierney, written by Edithe Swensen.

Read more “Horror History: Sunday, November 24, 1985: “Tales From The Darkside” episode “The Trouble with Mary Jane” premiered”

Horror History: Sunday, November 17, 1985: “Tales From The Darkside” episode “Distant Signals” premiered

Season 2 Episode 8

A director is approached by a mysterious investor who asks him to complete a previous short-run and unpopular detective series called “Max Paradise”, which was canceled 20 years ago before the final episodes were shown. The investor and his mysterious backers will pay any price to see the series finished, complete with bringing the original actor out of retirement. After the filming is complete, it is discovered that the investor is an alien from a planet that gets TV signals from Earth 20 years after they air. Max Paradise was popular there so he came to Earth to finish the show. Story by Andrew Weiner, adapted by Ted Gershuny and guest-starring Darren McGavin.

Read more “Horror History: Sunday, November 17, 1985: “Tales From The Darkside” episode “Distant Signals” premiered”

Horror History: Tuesday, November 12, 1985: “The Hitchhiker” episode “The Killer” premiered

Season 3 Episode 3

Meg is a paraplegic who is ignored by her family. When she finds everyone but her brother Jonathan dead she assumes he killed them. While trying to figure out who is responsible, what she remembers is not what she expected.

Read more “Horror History: Tuesday, November 12, 1985: “The Hitchhiker” episode “The Killer” premiered”

Horror History: Sunday, November 10, 1985: “Tales From The Darkside” episode “The Devil’s Advocate” premiered

Season 2 Episode 7

The rude host of a late-night radio show, “The Devil’s Advocate,” finds out where his anger and cynicism will eventually lead. Written by George A. Romero and guest-starring Jerry Stiller.

Read more “Horror History: Sunday, November 10, 1985: “Tales From The Darkside” episode “The Devil’s Advocate” premiered”

Horror History: Sunday, November 3, 1985: “Tales From The Darkside” episode “The Satanic Piano” premiered

Season 2 Episode 6

A musician in a creative slump buys a revolutionary machine that reads the thoughts of a person and transforms it into music. However, the piano comes with a very high price, one which the musician may not be willing to pay. Story by Carl Richard Jacobi, adapted by John Harrison. Guest-starring Michael Warren and Lisa Bonet.

Read more “Horror History: Sunday, November 3, 1985: “Tales From The Darkside” episode “The Satanic Piano” premiered”

Horror History: Tuesday, October 29, 1985: “The Hitchhiker” episode “Out of the Night” premiered

Season 3 Episode 2

A young man on the run from the police takes refuge in a mysterious building where a bizarre woman, Angelica, torments him with visions of his past life while another woman tries to help him. Condemned by jeering circles of audience members, the young man is jeered on to give one final performance … only to wake up to find he is on the verge of death on an operating room table. He is at St. Angelica’s Hospital, and the statue of the woman looks strangely familiar.

Read more “Horror History: Tuesday, October 29, 1985: “The Hitchhiker” episode “Out of the Night” premiered”

Horror History: Sunday, October 27, 1985: “Tales From The Darkside” episode “Halloween Candy” premiered

Season 2 Episode 5

A misanthropic old man torments trick-or-treating children and is visited by a terrifying goblin demanding candy. Written by Michael McDowell, directed by Tom Savini. Guest-starring Roy Poole.

Read more “Horror History: Sunday, October 27, 1985: “Tales From The Darkside” episode “Halloween Candy” premiered”

Horror History: Sunday, October 20, 1985: “Tales From The Darkside” episode “Parlour Floor Front” premiered

Season 2 Episode 4

A young couple learns that their tenant is a voodoo practitioner. The wife sees the tenant as a danger and attempts to drive him out of the building, blaming him for various mishaps. Written by Carole Lucia Satrina. Guest-starring Adolph Caesar.

Read more “Horror History: Sunday, October 20, 1985: “Tales From The Darkside” episode “Parlour Floor Front” premiered”

Horror History: Sunday, October 13, 1985: “Tales From The Darkside” episode “Ring Around the Redhead” premiered

Season 2 Episode 3

A man sentenced to Death Row for a murder tells his story of a redhead… from another dimension. Based on the short story by John D. MacDonald, adapted by Ted Gershuny. Guest-starring Penelope Ann Miller and John Heard.

Read more “Horror History: Sunday, October 13, 1985: “Tales From The Darkside” episode “Ring Around the Redhead” premiered”

Horror History: Sunday, October 6, 1985: “Tales From The Darkside” episode “Lifebomb” premiered

Season 2 Episode 2

An unhealthy corporate executive is offered a life-saving medical device with a price.

Written by Michael P. Kube-McDowell, based on his own short story of the same name. Guest-starring Bill Macy.

Read more “Horror History: Sunday, October 6, 1985: “Tales From The Darkside” episode “Lifebomb” premiered”

Horror History: Sunday, September 29, 1985: “Tales From The Darkside” episode “The Impressionist” premiered

Season 2 Episode 1

The government brings in a failing comedian to try to communicate with an alien. Based on the short story “Impersonations” by M. Coleman Easton, adapted by Haskell Barkin and guest-starring Chuck McCann.

Read more “Horror History: Sunday, September 29, 1985: “Tales From The Darkside” episode “The Impressionist” premiered”