Alvin Scwartz’ iconic book series, Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark gathered famous folklore and horror into a series both beloved and maligned in equal measure. With the new film of the same name coming to theaters, produced by Guilermo del Toro, a new documentary looks to tell the story behind the stories, so to speak. Scary Stories discusses the importance of these stories to culture, the library bans instigated by cautious moms, and the art that has inspired tattoos and gallery exhibits.
Scary Stories is highly enjoyable and was filled with stories of how reading the work of Alvin Scwartz, as well as seeing the original art of Stephen Gammel went on to inspire modern creators. There are interviews with writers like R.L. Stine (the Goosebumps series), folklorists, and even Scwartz family members that all come together to discuss the cultural phenomena.
There will be a limited theatrical release in Los Angeles, New Orleans, Columbus and parts of Texas, with the VOD set for May 7th and the DVD released July 16th, Those who loved the books or are just curious about how they came to be will love Scary Stories.
