"GIVE US THE PEAT TO BURN THE WITCHES, GOOD MISSUS!"
Great Gran is on her deathbed on the 30th of October and predicts she will die on the 31st: All Hallows Even. In the middle of the night, young Jamie (Huckleberry Fox -- I swear that's the kid actor's name) is awoken by Great Gran (Paula Trueman) talking in her sleep. Jamie records her words on his tape recorder as Great Gran recites the old Scottish legend of the Cutty Black Sow.
Back in the day on All Hallow's Even, the townsfolk would place stones in the circle of a roaring fire; these stones would represent the souls of every family member. As long as the stones remained in the fire until morning, their souls would not be taken by the Cutty Black Sow. But, if a stone fell out of the fire, that person's soul would be taken. Great Gran wakes and warns Jamie that he must beware especially of the Cutty Black Sow. Then she dies. The next day on Halloween, Jamie's parents go to the funeral home to arrange things and ask Jamie to take his little sister Gloria (Mary Griffin) trick or treating. Jamie enlists Gloria's help in gathering 5 stones to represent each member of the family (including Great Gran) and places them in the fireplace. Returning from trick or treating, the kids discover that Jamie's stone has fallen out of the fireplace. Uh oh!
This episode from the fourth and final season of TALES FROM THE DARKSIDE is actually one I had never seen before (despite owning the complete series on DVD). And it is a specifically Halloween episode so wtf?!?!? Now, we all know the best part of TALES FROM THE DARKSIDE is the super cool opening. After that, we all know the greatest episode in the whole series is the very first one "TRICK OR TREAT" starring Barnard Hughes and directed by the maestro George A. Romero. And the third given is that most episodes range from middlig to meh. "THE CUTTY BLACK SOW" does not displace "TRICK OR TREAT" as the best episode but it is one of the better ones.
The episode is a bit of a slow burn (if such a thing is possible for a 22 minute TV episode) but the Scottish folk horror aspect is superb and the Halloween atmosphere is really great. Trueman's performance as Great Gran does everything required of her and shockingly the child actors are quite good; never cloying or cutesy but realistically played. The parents played by Sharon Ullrick and Timothy Landfield are also quite adequate in minor roles. And the ending bumps the episode up even higher in my estimation. Director Richard Glass has a somewhat odd approach but this apparently is his one and only credit. However, one of my favourite horror writers -- Michael McDowell (author of the masterpiece THE ELEMENTALS and THE AMULET) -- and gives the show some weight. I definitely will be rewatching this on subsequent Halloweens.
3 comments:
I just watched this a few weeks ago but I don't think I enjoyed it as much as you did. I can take it or leave it for future Weens.
Watched this so long ago I cannot recall much. I'll have to rewatch. I'd love to rewatch the entire series.
Since most episodes upon rewatch leave quite a bit to be desired, THE CUTTY BLACK SOW looks like CITIZEN KANE in comparison. However, no, I do think it's one of the better episodes in the series -- no classic by a long stretch but definitely worth a yearly October spin.
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