"Tales from the Crypt" Retro Recap: "None But the Lonely Heart"

Written by Scotty

Love does not know age, who can say otherwise.  Even though it seems to be less acceptable that people marry someone much younger than them, it happens all the time and the couple seems to be happy.  But if money is involved, then all kinds of flags are raised since the older person will always leave their fortune to their younger bride.  Hey, I don’t judge, I am all for everyone finding the love of their life and spending as much time as possible with that person, I just hope however that it is truly love that's involved and not lust for one’s financial benefit.

Howard Prince is a very successful con man and always looking for his next big score.  Being able to convince older women to fall in love with him and give him control of their finances, he is well off, but not ready to retire from the business yet.  He needs another elder widow to make his portfolio complete, along with his bank account, but there is trouble in the water.  With the death of his latest bride, Howard’s bank account has been frozen by the IRS and the authorities are bearing down on his little operation.  As his partner is ready to skip town, Howard is looking for his next love.

Watching dating videos of some recent widows, there is one that stands out to Howard, Effie Gluckman.  Seeing the nice jewelry that she is wearing, Howard jumps at the opportunity to get to her before she finds another man to keep her company.  Although Effie is not too keen on spending time with a younger man, Howard charms her and is able to become the next love of her life. Howard does play the pity card about why he cannot be with a woman his own age and Effie eats it up and promises the young man that she can cure him.  Howard cannot explain his performance, but has a reason to leave quickly as a letter comes for him telling him to stay away from the old widow.

Howard needs to find out who is onto him and takes the first swing at his soon to be former partner.  Not admitting to anything, Howard puts his old friend on the rocks and moves on to the next person he can think of that would know what his intentions really are.  With a small killing streak completed, it is time for Howard to end his marriage to Effie and tries to poison the woman, but she is a tough old bird that will not go down without a fight.  Having to throw her down the stairs, Howard thinks he is in the clear, but after her funeral, Howard gets another letter and has to go visit the cemetery where all of his past loves are buried.

Talk about an amazing story to start off the fourth season of Tales from the Crypt.  With a great cast and a director that you would not imagine could do much with a horror story, you are left wanting the story to continue.  You would hope that Howard might learn a lesson to teach him that what he is doing is wrong, but he will not give up on what has been working so well for him over the years and that might lead to his own demise. Starring Treat Williams as Howard Price, Frances Sternhagen as Effie, Henry Gibson as Stanhope the Butler and Tom Hanks as Baxter at the dating agency, you are shown a man’s true battles with his past, along with the present when he believes that his time is running out.  Until next time, Stay Scared.

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