The first tale, I Ain't Got No Body, is more silly than scary. Dennis, a used bookstore clerk, is constantly rejected by the girl of his dreams. He stumbles upon a book dealing with astral travel and attempts to brainwash her. The next story, Hit and Run, may be best. Dennis is a short order cook who commits accidental vehicular homocide on a little girl who plays with a dolly. He is later haunted by the satanic Barbie, eventually losing sanity. This segment was filmed without the use of dialogue and pays homage to the Evil Dead films by way of Cassinelli's abilities to pull off Bruce Campbell-like faces.The Death Of... offers the most suspense as Dennis is a struggling horror writer who is visited by the ghost of Edgar Allen Poe. Alcohol and pills help our anti-hero commit an act of brutal violence. Each story offers tidbits of cliched horror and plenty of comedy; although the latter has a jaw-dropping twist ending.

Scary Tales provides enough decent "what if" situations to deliver an adequate amount of suspense.

The cheese is supplied by star Bill Cassinelli's priceless faces during a beachside dream sequence (they must be seen to be believed) and the acting by Ria Ramperstad as the world's most grating secretery.

First time director Michael A. Hoffman pulls off a marginal success due to fine performances all around; and an over-the-top turn by Wynkoop that steals the show. The tone tends to shift uneasily between horror and humor, but this is the best damn anthology for some time. It's fun, funny and occasionally creepy. Definately cheesy, but intentionally so.

The low point: The sets. They appear to be cheap motels and backdoor locations drowned out in typical low budget lighting.

The high point: The music by Midwife Crisis and Orange Nightmare (clever name, ain't it?) has a Dawn of the Deadish feel. It plays as cutting edge synth which pays homage to horror films of our past.

This is highly reccomended for anthology lovers and cheesy movie connoisseurs. It runs a fast 76 minutes and is unrated due to nudity, sex, violence and language.

Followed by a (better) sequel.