Tales From The Crypt Presents: Demon Knight

How's it possible that Shout Factory gets better and better with each retro horror release?

They've uncovered the rare 1995 "Tales From the Crypt Presents: Demon Knight," which was supposed to start a movie trilogy to coincide with the popular HBO series. Alas, it didn't happen; although a second installment came a few months later ("Bordello of Blood") -- and Shout Factory offers that one up also to hungry fans.

The dastardly Cryptkeeper begins and ends this tale, Hollywood style this time around, and offers up his usually witty puns and deadpan delivery. A story about a man (William Sadler) who gets sent to a small town to protect the citizens from a band of demons has the same tone and humor as one of "Tales From the Crypt" shows.

How interesting to hear that "Demon Knight" was actually written many years before 1995 as a standalone screenplay...the three screenwriters reveal this tidbit in the 40-minute documentary "Under Siege: The Making of Demon Knight." After a major studio got a hold of the written treatment, it was decided to make it a full-length feature film installment of "Tales From the Crypt."

Other anecdotes are a bit suspect. Billy Zane, who stars as the Collector in "Demon Knight," was supposedly offered his role in "Titanic" based on his role seen here. Zane's character is definitely evil personified and in his interview, he still looks mighty dapper.

Scream Factory's other bonus features are brand new, like the audio commentary with director Ernest Dickerson and a separate one with special effects crew members. Veteran actor Dick Miller pops in the panel discussion filmed in 2014 at the American Cinematheque. He talks about his work in "Demon Knight" and the "Gremlins" series.

Now if only my good friends at Shout Factory could get a proper Blu-ray release for the entire "Tales From the Crypt" series.

"Tales From the Crypt Presents: Demon Knight"
Blu-ray
$34.93
www.shoutfactory.com