Main cast: Tabitha St Germain (Sally), Harvey Atkin (Harold Klump), Keith Knight, Gary Krawford, George Merner, Stuart Stone (Boy with Dog), David Hemblen (The Vault-Keeper), and John Kassir (The Crypt Keeper)
Director: Laura Shepherd
Sally, an intrepid reporter with City Tribune, has been researching Dr Kromwell, who back in those days were infamous for his mad scientist-ish experiments that include “creating life”. Weirdly enough, the past City Tribune articles on this fellow never stated whether he was arrested or anything, just that he disappeared around 1942.
Well, she has a clear idea as to where that fellow is. She even has a photo of him with another head grafted next to his!
Alas, since she is a rookie reporter, her boss has Harold Klump foisted onto her as she ventures to the creepy town where she suspects Dr Kromwell has been hiding for the last 40 or so years. Will these two find what they are looking for, and will they be thrilled with their discovery?
Did someone say All the Gory Details?
This is an interesting episode in a few ways. One, the protagonists are adults, not children, which makes this one an oddity in this show.
Also, the story has some pretty dark elements that could have fit right in with the more adult sibling of this show, although these elements have been toned down to a more kiddie-friendly manner, of course. Kids that are paying attention may realize that some of the things that take place off-screen can be quite grown-up, though, like a character having their brain removed and their head stitched back together!
The need to make this episode kiddie-friendly means that this episode doesn’t fully get to rise to its true terrifying heights, which is a pity. Also, Sally is a very annoying character with a shrill voice, and her tendency to spend most of the episode complaining and whining can make this one a test of one’s patience to sit through.
Plus, is there anyone over the age of 12 that doesn’t see the “twist” coming from a mile away?
Still, while this episode is in many ways a wasted opportunity and missed potential, the episodes in this show on the whole haven’t been covered in glory thus far. In this context, therefore, it is easily one of the better ones!
