"Tales from the Crypt" Retro Recap: "Top Billing"

Written by Scotty

Actors and actresses must have the hardest time when they are fighting to get the parts of their dreams.  As every director seems to have their own vision for their roles and being perfect for the part encompasses more than just acting skill, but the proper look.  Not everyone is six feet tall with a chiseled body, or a size two with legs that go on for days, but that is what a majority of the parts call for.  Acting talent can only take you so far, as you need to have the look to capture the audience and bring them into the theater.

Barry Blye is a struggling actor, but he knows that he will be able to find the perfect role since he takes pride in his craft.  Being shot down for yet another role due to his look, he finds a posting about a production of Hamlet in an out of the way theater. Running into his old friend Winton Robbins when swooning over this opportunity, Barry is reminded where his career actually is, but there is no pride in not working, so he will take any job that will allow him to act.  Arriving home, Barry finds that his girlfriend is moving out since he seems to have no aspirations, along with no money.

Not needing anything but the opportunity to act to make his life feel complete, Barry finds the theater that is staging the production, but is surprised to find his old friend Winton there to audition as well.  When talking to the director, Winton gets the part without even having to open his mouth as the director loves his look and high cheek bones.  Not believing what is happening to him, Barry leaves the production looking for some reason to be happy again, but the short walk does not clear his head and he returns to the theater to take vengeance on the man that is trying to kill his livelihood. 

Choking out his competition, Barry is happy to tell director Halliwell that Winton has flown the coop, but not to have fear since he is willing to take over the role. While in his new dressing room, Barry works on his lines and is preparing to knock the audience dead, but when Halliwell and his crew come in and inform Barry that it is time for the final run through, Barry is feeling overwhelmed and needs a rehearsal.  As playing the role of Hamlet is a very complicated part, Barry needs to be ready for all that is heading his way, but he is stunned to find out that his part is not that of the lead, but the part of Yorick who has been dead twenty five years before the play even started.  With wide eyes, Halliwell and his crew are ready to start their production, they are just in need of a skull for Hamlet to cry to. 

This is just a fantastic look at how desperation could get the better of somebody when they have nothing left to lose.  As Barry wants, needs to work to hone his craft, he does not bother to find out what kind of theater this actually is, but if he did, would he have still fought so hard for the part, much less kill off his competition?  Staring Jon Lovitz as Barry Blye, Bruce Boxleitner as Winton Robbins and the great John Astin as Halliwell, this is more than a look at what happens during the casting process, but what happens when you are fully immersed in a role.  It also shows what could happen when the crazy actors actually take control of a classical production.  Until next time kiddies, Stay Scared.

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