Drawing on the EC Comics of the 1950s, George A. Romero’s 1982 anthology features five tales from the crypt of Stephen King’s coke-addled imagination.

Surprisingly timeless in its ’80s renderings of ’50s comics, Creepshow is gloriously reverent in its irreverence. The self-aware tone is instantly set when an abusive father (Tom Atkins) scolds his son (Joe Hill, the writer/Stephen King’s son) for reading “rotten crap”, and throws his horror comic in the bin. But this being a Romero movie, the comic strips are reanimated before our very eyes.

The proceeding portmanteau shows a more playful side to both King and Romero, each revelling in the camp horror/comedy of these varied vignettes. Aside from recurring themes of violence, revenge and abuse, each story is delightfully different (John Harrison’s score changes for each tale) – from the creaky campfire carnage of Father’s Day, to the allegorical cockroach infestation in They’re Creeping Up on You! Some segments are ironic, some just plain mad, but all are memorable.

The highlight is undoubtedly The Crate, an academic ape attack episode that might best be described as Woody Allen Poe. Its interweaving strands and character motivations are more sophisticated than the simpler stories, though each chapter has its charms. Stephen King himself stars in The Lonesome Death of Jordy Verrill, not letting being green as an actor hold him back. Plus there are standout performances from Hal Holbrook, Adrienne Barbeau, and a brilliant Leslie Nielsen relishing the opportunity to torture Ted Danson in Something to Tide You Over.

But it is the innovative editing that elevates Creepshow from cult to landmark status, blending live-action with animation in a colourful and influential style. Throw in Gag!!!-worthy special effects by Tom Savini and Arrrgh!!!-inducing jump scares from Romero, and you have one of the more distinctive instalments in a genre so prone to imitation and revisitation. Two sequels and a TV show followed.