A college professor teaching a course called "The Psychology of Fear" brings his students (including a psychic) to his home, one dark and stormy night to tell scary stories. The first involves a young couple whose car breaks down by an old, abandoned house. The second has four trendy teenage girls getting lost in a bad part of town and chased by a pack of vicious dogs. Last, a woman on crutches confronting a stalker at the answering service where she works the night shift.
Writing
Meta frame story smarter than it has any right to be.
Practical Effects
Gleefully fake dogs that somehow still work.
Acting
Marg Helgenberger carrying an entire segment on crutches.
Director
Jim Wheat
Jillian McWhirter
Allison (segment "Allison's Story")
Pamela Adlon
Cheryl (segment "Allison's Story)
Ramy Zada
Prof. Edward Derek (segment "Allison's Story")
Marg Helgenberger
Alex (segment "All Night Operator")
Marc McClure
Kevin (segment "The Old Dark House")
Judie Aronson
Jennifer (segment "A Night on the Town")
Nadine Van der Velde
Joan (segment "The Old Dark House")
Alan Rosenberg
Richard (segment "All Night Operator")
Penelope Sudrow
Kelly (segment "A Night on the Town")
Jordana Capra
Vanessa (segment "All Night Operator")
Billy Ray Sharkey
Ray (segment "All Night Operator")
Richard Gabai
Dave (segment "Allison's Story")
Kerry Remsen
Maggie (segment "Allison's Story")
Luis Contreras
The Dogs' Master (segment "A Night on the Town")
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
The Wheat brothers later wrote Pitch Black and The Fly II, proving even anthology hacks can ascend.
Released during horror's post-Creepshow anthology boom, it tanked theatrically but found cult life on late-night cable—exactly where it belongs.
US
