"Tales from the Crypt" Retro Recap: "Maniac at Large"

Written by Scotty

I always wonder what my dream job would be when I decide to move on from my current one.  I honestly believe I would be happy working in a library or a book store, since I enjoy reading so much, along with not having someone telling me that I need to look at a computer screen over a book on the counter.  With loving so many types of stories, I would be at home in these places, and even with all of the books I would never enjoy, there are more than enough to keep me occupied for many moons.

Margaret is the new clerk in the local library and trying to enjoy her job.  But there is one problem with her location as she is in a city that is full of crime.  Not knowing who to trust, much less if she is able to talk to anybody, she has found solace in her new job.  Working with Mrs. Pritchard and the library’s guard Grady, Margaret feels safe enough in her surroundings, even though she gets bossed around to get things done that are not her job.

After having to kick out some young men, Margaret gets caught up in the newspaper headlines that state there is a ‘Maniac at Large’.  Knowing how dangerous the city is, especially at night, Margaret is not too afraid to leave, but after finding out that she is going to have to work late without Grady, she starts to question what is happening inside of the library’s walls.  When the hours grow late and the library starts to slow down, Margaret is approached by Pipkin, a young man that is very interested in the killings that have been happening in the city.  Wanting to check out a reference book which cannot leave the building, he is disappointed, but that does not mean anything to the new clerk and her boss.

Getting yelled at by Mrs. Pritchard, Margaret is forced to take some artwork down to the archives in the basement, but something happens that she has never expected.  A knife welding man is in down there and stabbing something, or someone.  Calling Grady to help her, she finds that the guard is drinking on the job, but there is no one else down there as well.  Telling Mrs. Pritchard about what she has seen, the older woman does not believe her new clerk and thinks that the stories about a serial killer around town is playing tricks on her mind.  Knowing that she is not crazy, Margaret tries to lock up the library, but Pipkin is still inside with her.  Telling her what he believes about the deaths around town and almost being able to put his finger on who the killer actually is make Margaret feel very uncomfortable.  Sending him on his way, Margaret is left on her own, but that is when everything starts to go haywire. Being frightened by people at the door and now by her boss, Margaret has to find someone that she can trust once again, before everything spirals out of control. 

This is an amazing tale that shows you how easily your mind can be subjected to its imagination.  I like watching as Margaret is trying to keep it cool, when she knows that the world is falling down around her.  Not knowing who she can trust, she thinks that Grady is her best resource, but finding out that he is drinking on the job, she quickly has to move away from him.  Wanting to know who was in the basement, defacing library resources, along with who the killer in the city is, that is taking out homeless men at will, and who this Pipkin is, who is beyond fascinated with killers over the years, Margaret is close to losing herself to the stories that have infected the streets outside.  Starring Blythe Danner as Margaret, Salome Jens as Mrs. Pritchard, Clarence Williams III as Grady and Adam Ant as Pipkin.  This is a great thinker episode, as you want to believe that you know who the killer is, but may be disappointed that you were wrong as the book closes.  Until next time, Stay Scared.

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