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HORROR 101 with Dr. AC

Aaron Christensen

HORROR 101 with Dr. AC is a horror movie podcast that revisits classic horror films on milestone anniversaries (20, 30, 40, 50 years, and more). Each episode features a lively rotating panel of horror fans discussing the film's legacy, personal memories, cultural impact, and what makes it a lasting favorite.

If you love deep dives into horror movies like The Exorcist, A Nightmare on Elm Street, or Frankenstein, this podcast is for you. Come celebrate horror history—one anniversary at a time.

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S4 · E36
Yesterday · 1 hr 35 min
Ep 163 - TOMBS OF THE BLIND DEAD (1972) | The Undead Templar (K)NIGHTS OF THE LIVING DEAD!
TOMBS OF THE BLIND DEAD (1972) d. Amando de Ossorio (Spain/Portugal) RETURN OF THE BLIND DEAD (1973) d. Amando de Ossorio (Spain) THE GHOST GALLEON (1974) d. Amando de Ossorio (Spain) NIGHT OF THE SEAGULLS (1975) d. Amando de Ossorio (Spain) Writer/director Amando de Ossorio's Tombs of the Blind Dead (1972) represented a landmark achievement that introduced an entirely new monster into the genre, the haunting Knights Templar (based on the legitimate historical figures who fought in the Crusades and were later put to death for their efforts), complete with shabby robes, skeletal faces, grizzled facial hair, shiny swords, and a quenchless thirst for human blood. In fact, the early scenes of this zombie flick (yes, we'll call them zombies for now) are so overwhelming in their thick gloomy atmosphere that viewers cannot help but admire the sheer confidence and audacity executed in bringing them to the screen. Ossorio provides a brief introductory setup of three romantically entwined companions on a train ride through the Spanish countryside, then embarks on a breathtaking twenty-minute, nearly dialogue-free episode that must be experienced to be believed. During this astounding sequence, Anton Garcia Abril's jangling, chanting, percussive musical score and lively environmental soundtrack combine with Ossorio's eerie visuals to create an intoxicating dream-like aura. In addition to Ossorio's prolific career, which features titles such as Demon Witch Child, The Loreley's Grasp, The Sea Serpent, and Night of the Sorcerers, the success of The Blind Dead spawned three more loosely connected entries in the series over the next three years: Return of the Blind Dead, The Ghost Galleon, and Night of the Seagulls. Together, they form an unforgettable quartet of thrills and chills, staking out an undeniable place in Spanish horror history. Join AC and his incredible panel of guests (Darren Callahan, Damien Glonek, Ryan Olson, Jimmy Seiersen, Alan Tromp) as we celebrate a half-century of THE BLIND DEAD! ---------------------------------------------------- DARREN CALLAHAN is an award-winning writer, director, and composer who has written drama, fiction, and non-fiction for many major outlets, mostly focused on the horror genre. He has also released nearly 100 records, from pop to noise to ambient to film soundtracks. His website is darrencallahan.com and his IMDB is http://www.imdb.me/darrencallahan. DAMIEN GLONEK is best known as the co-creator of Living Dead Dolls, which holds the record for the longest continuously running horror-themed dolls. He is also co-host of the horror podcast, Discover the Horror. In Damien's spare time, he collects horror movie posters, watches horror movies, reads about watching horror movies and talks about reading and watching horror movies to anyone that will listen. RYAN OLSON (aka S. Ravenlord of The Cold Beyond music group) is the owner of Deadspeak Design and Night World Records, as well as a member of the Synapse Films street team and a regular on the Synapse Films podcast. His work has been featured in Liquid Cheese, Horrorhound, & Evilspeak Magazines. JIMMY SEIERSEN from Sweden has written essays for the HORROR 101 and HIDDEN HORROR books, been a short film programmer for Lund Fantastic Film Festival (2010–2022), and creates short films that eventually make their way to YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JimmySeiersen ALAN TROMP is a golden age Monster Kid, who has published articles in Filmfax, Twilight Zone Magazine, and We Belong Dead publications in the UK. He was scriptwriter for the shot-on-video nightmare, The Soul Eaters. ----------------------------------------------- Keep Searching, Keep Exploring, and, most of all, Keep Sharing the Scare!
S4 · E35
August 21 · 1 hr 12 min
Ep 162 - David Cronenberg's THE FLY (1986) Turns 40: The Greatest/Grossest Love Story Ever Told
THE FLY (1986) d. David Cronenberg (USA/Canada) THE FLY II (1989) d. Chris Walas (USA/Canada) After years of building a reputation as a fiercely intelligent filmmaker that deftly combined gooey special effects, challenging technical concepts, and emotional narrative heft, Canadian David Cronenberg finally hit the jackpot in this updating and reimagining of the 1958 classic, The Fly. Rather than the simple swapping of heads and hands, brainy inventor Seth Brundle (played to perfection by Jeff Goldblum) sees his transporter pods inadvertently become gene splicers when a wayward fly enters the equation. Watching the slow and horrifying evolution as the insect's characteristics make themselves known is where Cronenberg's customary gross-outs excel, courtesy of Chris Walas' Oscar-winning effects. But it is Goldblum's brilliant muti-layered characterization (often beneath pounds of makeup) of a man at war with his own body that sticks in the memory and gives the film its heart. Geena Davis gives an equally strong performance as a reporter who is first attracted to the project as a story idea, but ends up falling in love with the doomed scientist, while John Getz turns in a terrific sleazy portrait as Davis' boss (and ex-lover). Howard Shore's musical score is one of his best, and he is joined by numerous other Cronenberg collaborators, such as editor Ronald Sanders, cinematographer Mark Irwin, costume designer Denise Cronenberg, and production designer Carol Spier. Join AC and his buzz-worthy panel of guests (Dan Caffrey, Jon Kitley, Eli LaChance, J. Luis Rivera, Chris Scales) as we celebrate 40 years of David Cronenberg's THE FLY!! ------------------------------------------------------ DAN CAFFREY is a Brooklyn-based playwright, screenwriter, podcaster, and lifelong horror fan. Caffrey currently co-hosts The Losers' Club: A Stephen King Podcast and Halloweenies: A Horror Franchise Podcast, both on Bloody Disgusting's podcast network, Bloody FM. He received his MFA In Playwriting from UT Austin and has also written as a cultural critic for The A.V. Club, Consequence, Pitchfork, Vox, and elsewhere. His favorite horror movie is Halloween. His favorite movie-movie is also Halloween. (https://www.dancaffreywrites.com/) JON KITLEY has been running his website, Kitley's Krypt for 25 years. He's a columnist for HorrorHound magazine, a co-host on the Discover the Horror podcast, and attends multiple conventions and all-night horror movie marathons at the drive-in theaters! https://kitleyskrypt.com/ ELI LACHANCE is a horror writer, chemist, and paleontology enthusiast. He is currently starting his last year in UMSL's MFA in creative writing program. He resides in St. Louis, Missouri with his wife, dog, and two cats, one of which may be the living dead. Some of his writing can be found in Medium Chill and on Channel-31.com. When he's not writing, he loves walking with his dog, bird watching, and hunting fossils. https://channel-31.com/ J. LUIS RIVERA is a Mexican filmmaker and cinephile whose love for movies began early in his life with Cronenberg's The Fly as a kid. Director of several horror short films, he is currently developing his first feature-length film. CHRIS SCALES is a lifelong horror fan, aspiring horror screenwriter, and horror panelist. ------------------------------------------------------ Keep Searching, Keep Exploring, and, most of all, Keep Sharing the Scare!
S4 · E34
August 13 · 1 hr 23 min
Ep 161 - RODAN (1956) x MOTHRA (1961): Celebrating Two Essential Toho Kaiju
RODAN (1956) d. Ishiro Honda (Japan) MOTHRA (1961) d. Ishiro Honda (Japan) Rodan (1956) and Mothra (1961) stand among the most trendsetting films in the history of Japanese cinema, introducing two iconic monsters whose legacies have endured for decades. Produced by Toho, both films expanded upon the success of Godzilla (1954), demonstrating that giant monsters could represent far more than simple destructive forces. Each creature possessed its own distinct identity, symbolism, and mythology, helping create a growing kaiju universe, a rich collection of memorable characters rather a single monster. Released 70 years ago, Rodan introduced audiences to a colossal prehistoric pteranodon awakened by humanity's intrusion into the natural world. Directed by Ishirō Honda, the first color kaiju film combined suspense, science fiction, and large-scale destruction with groundbreaking special effects created by Eiji Tsuburaya. Rodan's immense speed, sonic booms, and devastating aerial attacks were different from the Tokyo-stomping Godzilla, presenting a threat unlike anything audiences had previously witnessed. The film also carried environmental and anti-industrial themes, condemning humanity's reckless exploitation of the Earth. Five years later, Mothra introduced a remarkably different kind of kaiju. Based on the serialized novel published earlier in 1961 and inspired by fantasy, folklore, and spirituality, Mothra emerged as a benevolent guardian rather than a destructive beast. Directed once again by Honda, the story followed the kidnapping of the tiny Shobijin fairies and Mothra's determined journey to rescue them. Unlike previous giant monsters, Mothra symbolized hope, compassion, and the protection of nature. Together, Rodan and Mothra introduced two enduring monsters whose contrasting personalities enriched Toho's expanding cinematic universe. Their successful debut films established them as beloved icons whose continued appearances alongside Godzilla helped shape the evolving mythology of kaiju cinema for generations around the world. Join AC and his kaiju-sized panel of guests (Martin Arlt, Beth Bredlau, Joyce Mihara Boss, Grant Kuchan, Stan Hyde) as we celebrate 70 years of RODAN and 65 years of MOTHRA!! ---------------------------------------- MARTIN ARLT is the publisher of Mad Scientist magazine and is a geneticist at the University of Michigan. Decades of lab work have not given him super-powers or turned him into a mutant monster. BETH BREDLAU is the founder of Godzilla Weekend, a film and art festival in Bloomington, Indiana. Additionally, she speaks at conferences and conventions about Godzilla like G-FEST, is earning her Ph.D (with a focus on Godzilla), and recently published new information on Godzilla: King of the Monsters (1956). JOYCE MIHARA BOSS teaches world literature and cinema, myth, and Japanese popular culture at Wartburg College. Her academic publications and presentations have focused on various topics related to Godzilla, yōkai, global fandom, and Japanese religion and folklore. GRANT KUCHAN is a writer of pulp, wellness coach, and a real swell guy. He plays in any Jug Bands that let him. One day he'll finish another novel, which will probably be available on Amazon, as well as at most Darktower Comics locations across the greater Chicagoland Area. The horror movie that still gives him nightmares is Matango. He saw it when he was six, and still doesn't eat mushrooms. STAN HYDE teaches, examines, and consults on international film programs for students (International Baccaluareate's Film Course), as well as writing about model making, film history, and some fiction. He is winner of the Mangled Sky-Scraper Award for helping bring G-FEST, the annual Godzilla Convention in Chicago, to life since 1995, and is a 2021 Canadian Science Fiction and Fantasy Association Hall of Fame recipient for his work with science fiction conventions, clubs, and fanzines. ------------------------------ Keep Searching, Keep Exploring, and, most of all, Keep Sharing the Scare!
S4 · E33
August 5 · 1 hr 7 min
Ep 160 - THE BAD SEED (1956) — The Original Evil Child/Killer Kid Classic turns 70!
THE BAD SEED (1956) d. Mervyn LeRoy (USA) Celebrating the 70th anniversary of The Bad Seed (1956)! Widely regarded as one of the greatest psychological thrillers ever made, this classic horror film introduced audiences to Rhoda Penmark—cinema's original "killer kid" and one of the genre's most unforgettable villains. Join us as we revisit this groundbreaking classic, its remarkable performances by Nancy Kelly and Patty McCormack, director Mervyn LeRoy's masterful filmmaking, and the film's lasting influence on horror. Seventy years later, The Bad Seed remains as chilling, provocative, and unforgettable as ever. If you love classic horror, psychological thrillers, vintage Hollywood, and deep-dive film discussions, this episode is for you. Join AC and his amazing panel of guests (Matthew Amador, Sarah Binion, William Novotny Lawrence, John Kenneth Muir, Joseph Wycoff) as we celebrate 70 years of THE BAD SEED! ------------------------------- MATTHEW AMADOR is an actor and owner of Matador Behavioral Health, where he utilizes narrative fiction as a means to process trauma and anxiety through psychotherapy. www.MatadorChicago.com SARAH BINION is a self-taught horror fan who has turned the simple question "What's your favorite horror movie?" into a personal mission to uncover hidden gems and overlooked masterpieces in the genre. WILLIAM NOVOTNY LAWRENCE is an Associate Professor of Cinema and Media Studies at Indiana University and serves as the Editor-in-Chief of The Journal of Popular Culture. He is the co-editor of the anthologies Blaxploitation Cinema, Beyond Blaxploitation, and the recent Oxford Handbook of Black Horror Film, offering an expansive scholarly examination of Blackness within the horror genre, exploring its global dimensions and cultural significance. JOHN KENNETH MUIR is the creator of the award winning-web series, Abnormal Fixation, which returns for its second season in 2026, and award-winning audio drama Enter The House Between. He is also the author of Horror Films of the 1970s (2002), and Eaten Alive at a Chainsaw Massacre: The Films of Tobe Hooper (2001). JOSEPH WYCOFF is a veteran Chicago actor now based in New Zealand, with onscreen credits ranging from "Ash vs Evil Dead" to the Power Rangers to Josh Ruben's Heart Eyes (2025). --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Keep Searching, Keep Exploring, and, most of all, Keep Sharing the Scare!
S4 · E32
July 30 · 1 hr 36 min
Ep 159 - GRIZZLY, SQUIRM, & FOOD OF THE GODS / 1976 Eco-Horror Triple Feature!
GRIZZLY (1976) d. William Girdler (USA) SQUIRM (1976) d. Jeff Lieberman (USA) THE FOOD OF THE GODS (1976) d. Bert I. Gordon (USA) In the wake of Steven Spielberg's Jaws from 1975, drive-ins and hardtop theaters alike were suddenly overrun by creatures with a taste for human flesh. Intrepid and imaginative independent filmmakers proved that almost any member of the animal kingdom could be transformed into a successful box-office menace. Three standout entries from 1976—Grizzly, Squirm, and The Food of the Gods—perfectly capture the exuberant creativity and unapologetic pulp appeal of the Nature Strikes Back Eco-horror boom. William Girdler's Grizzly distilled the Jaws formula into a lean, backwoods thriller, replacing the great white with an enormous, man-eating bear stalking campers in a national park. Made on a modest budget but packed with confidence, suspense, and fantastic production value, Girdler demonstrated that resourcefulness and sharp pacing could outweigh huge Hollywood razzle dazzle, and his able cast of Christopher George, Andrew Prine, and Richard Jaeckel helped cement Grizzly as one of the most successful independent horror films of the decade and a benchmark for the animals-attack cycle. If Grizzly was all Ursa Major muscle, Jeff Lieberman's Squirm was all wriggling annelid Ick Factor. After a freak storm sends electrically charged earthworms to the surface, an ordinary Georgia town finds itself under siege by thousands of ravenous invertebrates. Lieberman and his players approach the outrageous premise with a straight face and an inventive visual style, creating a film that is simultaneously unsettling, funny, and delightfully bizarre. Mr. BIG himself, Bert I. Gordon was already celebrated as the master of gigantism when he returned to familiar territory with The Food of the Gods, very loosely adapting H. G. Wells into a gleefully chaotic tale of mysterious goop bubbling up from the earth, creating giant rats, wasps, chickens, and other oversized terrors. Tom Burman's ambitious creature effects combined with cringe-worthy footage of real-life animals in jeopardy embody the anything-goes energy that made '70s genre cinema so fascinating. Join AC and his beastly panel of guests (Joyce Boss, Damien Glonek, Tracy Mercer, Vanessa Morgan, Steven Peros) as we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the YEAR OF THE ANIMALS! ----------------------------------------------------------- JOYCE MIHARA BOSS teaches world literature and cinema, myth, and Japanese popular culture at Wartburg College. Her academic publications and presentations have focused on various topics related to Godzilla, yōkai, global fandom, and Japanese religion and folklore. DAMIEN GLONEK is best known as the co-creator of Living Dead Dolls, which holds the record for the longest continuously running horror themed dolls. He is also co-host of the horror podcast, Discover the Horror. In Damien's spare time, he collects horror movie posters, watches horror movies, reads about watching horror movies and talks about reading and watching horror movies to anyone that will listen. TRACY MERCER is an Emmy-nominated TV/Film executive-turned-producer who worked on Ang Lee's Hulk, Aeon Flux, Punisher, and Invictus, before transitioning to producing CBS' hit series Madam Secretary, Five Flights Up, Worldbreaker, and the upcoming horror film, The Autopsy of Albert Kemper. Mercer was a contributor to #1 Amazon best-sellers, Giant Beast Cinema and Cinema Bizarro, and co-hosted the long running comedy podcast, My Favorite Shtty Movie. VANESSA MORGAN is the author of several movie reference guides (When Animals Attack, Strange blood, Evil Seeds & Meow!), all available from Amazon https://amzn.to/3Hzm0wN. She's also the creator of the websites https://cat-movies.com and https://traveling-cats.com. STEVEN PEROS is the editor and contributor to Giant Beast Cinema and Cinema Bizarro (both reaching #1 on Amazon). Steven is best known for writing Peter Bogdanovich's The Cat's Meow, starring Kirsten Dunst. He is VP of Creative Affairs for Cineverse, home of the Terrifier series. ---------------------------------------------------------- Keep Searching, Keep Exploring, and, most of all, Keep Sharing the Scare!
S4 · E31
July 24 · 59 min
Ep 158 - FROM DUSK TILL DAWN (1996) at 30: The Vampire Cult Classic Still Has Teeth
FROM DUSK TILL DAWN (1996) d. Robert Rodriguez (USA) FROM DUSK TILL DAWN 2: TEXAS BLOOD MONEY (1999) d. Scott Spiegel (USA) FROM DUSK TILL DAWN 3: THE HANGMAN'S DAUGHTER (2000) d. P.J. Pesce (USA) FROM DUSK TILL DAWN: THE SERIES (2014-2016) d. Robert Rodriguez (USA) Thirty years ago, From Dusk Till Dawn (1996) kicked open the saloon doors, ordered a round of tequila, and then revealed that everyone in the bar was about to be eaten by vampires. Of course, From Dusk Till Dawn is much more than its famous twist. It's a perfect snapshot of '90s independent filmmaking, bringing together Rodriguez's kinetic, resourceful direction, Tarantino's Fonzie cool dialogue, KNB's outrageous practical effects, and an ensemble cast led by George Clooney, Harvey Keitel, Juliette Lewis, Salma Hayek, and cameos from Michael Parks, John Hawkes, Tom Savini, Cheech Marin, Danny Trejo, and the Hammer himself, Fred Williamson. Add in one of cinema's most iconic nightclub sequences, gallons of gore, and tons of morphing monster mayhem, it's no wonder the film has become a perennial cult favorite. Three decades later, From Dusk Till Dawn still feels a bit like an adolescent filmmaker's wild dare. Messy, excessive, funny, shocking, and endlessly quotable, it reminds us that horror can be scary, hilarious, and completely unpredictable. Join AC and his incredible panel of guests (Eric Anderson, Carol Esteban, Eric Fritzius, Anish Jethmalani, Larry Sternshein) as we celebrate 30 years of one of horror's boldest, bloodiest, and most delightfully batshit cult classics! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ERIC ANDERSON was not allowed to watch horror movies as a kid and he is now making up for lost time with a vengeance. He works in a large urban public library and spends as much time outdoors as possible. ERIC FRITZIUS writes things, acts in others and records mouth noises sold in the form of audiobooks. You can find his stuff at MisterHerman.com CAROL ESTEBAN is far too busy golfing, watching movies, and being awesome to be bothered with mini-bios. ANISH JETHMALANI is Chicago Actor who has been on stages and screens for 30 years. You may recognize him from the horror flick Girl on the Third Floor with CM Punk. He is passionate Cinephile who contributed an essay on The Omen for the original HORROR 101: The A-List of Horror Films and Monster Movies. You can find him on letterboxed at https://letterboxd.com/ajet/ LARRY STERNSHEIN is a lifelong movie fan in Colorado and host of the movie memories podcast "Reel Early." Not only does he love talking about horror and action cinema, but is also a big pro wrestling fan. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Keep Searching, Keep Exploring, and, most of all, Keep Sharing the Scare!
S4 · E30
July 17 · 2 hr 11 min
Ep 157 - THE BEST (AND WORST) SLASHERS OF 1981!! (Part 2 of 2)
BLOODY BIRTHDAY (1981) d. Ed Hunt (USA) BLOODY MOON (1981) d. Jess Franco (Spain/Germany) DEADLY BLESSING (1981) d. Wes Craven (USA) DON'T GO IN THE WOODS (1981) d. James Bryan (USA) EYES OF A STRANGER (1981) d. Ken Wiederhorn (USA) FINAL EXAM (1981) d. Jimmy Huston (USA) GRADUATION DAY (1981) d. Herb Freed (USA) NIGHT SCHOOL (1981) d. Ken Hughes (USA) STRANGE BEHAVIOR (1981) d. Michael Laughlin (New Zealand) STUDENT BODIES (1981) d. Mickey Rose (USA) A few months back, we took a deep dive into the slashers of 1981, and now we're back to finish the job! If our first installment focused on future classics and franchise cornerstones, this week's episode explores the stranger, sleazier, and more offbeat corners of the slasher boom. Some films stick close to the formula. Final Exam delivers stripped-down campus suspense, Graduation Day pairs revenge with an unmistakably early-'80s soundtrack, Night School mixes police procedural thrills with a memorable killer, and Eyes of a Stranger blends voyeurism and vigilante justice while featuring an impressive early performance from Jennifer Jason Leigh. Others push the boundaries. Wes Craven's Deadly Blessing fuses religious paranoia and psychological horror, while Strange Behavior combines mad science, teenage romance, and small-town conspiracy into a cult favorite. Then there are the true oddballs: Bloody Birthday, Bloody Moon, Don't Go in the Woods, and the gleefully self-aware Student Bodies, each embracing excess, exploitation, or outright parody in wildly different ways. Join AC and his blood-loving panel of guests (Fraser Coffeen, Lauren Cupp, Art Ettinger, Kolleen Carney Hoepfner, Freddie Young) as we celebrate—and occasionally eviscerate—ten more slices of 1981 horror, spotlighting the overlooked gems, cult favorites, ambitious experiments, and gloriously excessive carnage that made this such a banner year for slasher fans! ----------------------------------------- FRASER COFFEEN is the co-host of Creepy History, a podcast dedicated to all the creepy stuff you wish they taught you in High School. He's been published in Horror Homeroom magazine and How to Analyze and Review Comics. LAUREN CUPP is a performer and personality in the Southern California horror community. Having recently performed in (and survived) the LA run of Saw the Musical, she can now be found performing comedy at Pop Culture Hell, cosplaying at horror conventions, or catching a film at her local AMC. ART ETTINGER is the editor of Ultra Violent Magazine, a public defender, and a Razorcake record reviewer. He lives in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania where his lifelong obsessions with punk rock and horror/exploitation cinema continue to consume him. KOLLEEN CARNEY HOEPFNER is a freelance writer, copyeditor, and Southern California convention booth gal for venues such as Fangoria. She is the host of For Unlawful Cinematic Knowledge, a film podcast celebrating the underloved and overlooked. FREDDIE YOUNG is a NYC horror reviewer and frequent podcaster. He has been running the website Full Moon Reviews (www.fullmoonreviews.net) since 2006, telling it like it is and enjoys spreading the word on good and bad films, mainly in the horror genre. He's planning on a full-time return to podcasting soon, hoping to put some attention on some "misunderstood films." --------------------------------------------- Keep Searching, Keep Exploring, and, most of all, Keep Sharing the Scare!
S4 · E29
July 9 · 1 hr 14 min
Ep 156 - MARIO BAVA DOUBLE FEATURE: Kill Baby Kill (1966) & A Bay of Blood
KILL, BABY... KILL! (1966) d. Mario Bava (Italy) A BAY OF BLOOD (1971) d. Mario Bava (Italy) Equal parts conjurer of Gothic nightmares, pioneer of modern cinematic violence, and astonishing visual stylist, Italian filmmaker and horror legend Mario Bava'has delivered so many genre high water marks that it's difficult to keep track. From the black-and-white splendor of Black Sunday to the hypnotic colored gels of Black Sabbath to establishing the hallmarks of the giallo, Bava was constantly innovating and imagining new ways to dazzle and disturb audiences. Kill, Baby... Kill! represents perhaps the pinnacle of Bava's Gothic imagination. Set in a cursed village haunted by the ghost of a young girl, the film transforms familiar supernatural motifs into a hypnotic fever dream through its masterful use of color, lighting, and camera movement. Rather than relying on overt shocks, Bava creates an atmosphere of mounting dread, where mirrors, staircases, and abandoned rooms become spaces of uncanny terror. If Kill, Baby... Kill! perfected Bava's supernatural Gothic style, A Bay of Blood brought to fruition the contemporary, murder-centred approach he had already explored in The Girl Who Knew Too Much and Blood and Black Lace. Dispensing with mystery in favor of an escalating cycle of betrayal and carnage, the film follows a web of greed-driven killers competing for ownership of a secluded bay. Its graphic violence, cynical worldview, and inventive murder set-pieces anticipated the American slasher boom by more than a decade, with several set-pieces famously echoed in Friday the 13th Part 2 (1981). Join AC and his incredible panel of guests (Troy Howarth, Katie of the Night, Jon Kitley, Nicola McCafferty) as we celebrate this dazzling double feature of Mario Bava, The Maestro of the Macabre! ------------------------------------- TROY HOWARTH is a Rondo Award-nominated writer who specializes in European Cult cinema. His books include The Haunted World of Mario Bava, Splintered Visions: Lucio Fulci and His Films, So Deadly, So Perverse: 50 Years of Italian Giallo Films, among others. He has also contributed audio commentaries, audio essays, and liner notes to over one hundred DVD and Blu-ray releases from the U.S., the U.K., and Germany. He resides in Pennsylvania. KATIE OF THE NIGHT is six years into film exploration. Leaning into the sentiment of the occasional 'this girl doesn't know shit' comment, she makes YouTube videos of her thoughts on the various vintage Euro horror films she watches. JON KITLEY has been running his website, Kitley's Krypt for 25 years. He's a columnist for HorrorHound magazine, a co-host on the Discover the Horror podcast, and attends multiple conventions and all-night horror movie marathons at the drive-in theaters! https://kitleyskrypt.com/ NICOLA MCCAFFERTY is the Director of Programming at the soon-to-be reopened 400 theater in Rogers Park and the After Dark Programmer for the Chicago International Film Festival. She holds a PhD in Screen Cultures from Northwestern University, and her research looks at screen representations of nonhuman women (think: mannequins, dolls, robots, and aliens) in order to deconstruct the overlapping categories of whiteness, humanity, and femininity. Her article "I'm (Not) Your Doll: Hybridity, Femininity, and the Nonhuman in FKA twigs's M3LL155X," is forthcoming in Screen in Winter 2026, and she has also written about Frankenstein movies for Dread Central. You can find enamel pins, stickers, patches, and prints designed by Nicola and inspired by horror and cult films at vvitchroom.etsy.com. -------------------------------------------------- Keep Searching, Keep Exploring, and, most of all, Keep Sharing the Scare!
S4 · E28
July 3 · 1 hr 12 min
Ep 155 - HAMMER HORROR 1961: (CURSE OF WEREWOLF, SCREAM OF FEAR, TERROR OF TONGS, SHADOW OF CAT)
THE CURSE OF THE WEREWOLF (1961) d. Terence Fisher (UK) SCREAM OF FEAR (aka Taste of Fear) (1961) d. Seth Holt (UK) THE TERROR OF THE TONGS (1961) d. Anthony Bushell (UK) THE SHADOW OF THE CAT (1961) d. John Gilling (UK) While Hammer Films is most often remembered for its Gothic reimaginings of Dracula, Frankenstein, and other classic monsters, the year 1961 showcased an adventurousness and willingness to experiment with different styles of horror and suspense. Our four films up for discussion demonstrate Hammer's evolving state in the early 1960s to impressive effect. The Curse of the Werewolf proved to be the studio's only lycanthropic effort. With Hammer all-star Terence Fisher in the director's chair, and starring a young Oliver Reed in his first leading role, producer Anthony Hinds' screenplay (his first using his pseudonym of John Elder) follows a young man cursed by the circumstances of his birth, who transforms into a murderous man-beast. Scream of Fear is a stylish psychological thriller about a wheelchair-bound woman (played by Susan Strasberg) who returns to her family estate and repeatedly encounters what appears to be her father's corpse. Directed by Seth Holt with a sharp script by Jimmy Sangster, the film's success helped launch a cycle of black and white psychological thrillers that included Maniac, Paranoiac, and Nightmare. The Terror of the Tongs sees Hammer blending exploitation and horror elements into a pulpy screen adventure set in 1910 Hong Kong. Anthony Bushell directs another Sangster screenplay that follows a British sea captain seeking revenge against a secret society responsible for the murder of his daughter. The Shadow of the Cat, directed by John Gilling and written by George Baxt, offers one of Hammer's most unusual premises: After witnessing its owner's murder, a cat appears to haunt and terrorize the guilty family members responsible. While Hammer's Gothic classics remain iconic, these four features highlight a company exploring psychological suspense, tragic monster tales, historical adventure, and even feline revenge during its creative peak. If you're willing to look beyond Dracula's cape and Frankenstein's laboratory, join hands with AC and our fabulous panel of guests (David del Valle, Max Deering, Troy Howarth, Lin Morris, Nathaniel Thompson) as we step back 65 years into the deep, dark, daring, and delightful world of Hammer! ---------------------------------------------------- DAVID DEL VALLE is a renowned film historian, journalist, and commentator specializing in horror, science fiction, and cult cinema. He has contributed to publications like Fangoria and Cinefantastique, and produced Vincent Price's only interview focused on his horror career. Del Valle's books include Lost Horizons Beneath the Hollywood Sign and Six Reels Under. MAX DEERING is a student of genre cinema that wears many hats. From a Producer and Editor of several podcasts including Action For Everyone and The Box Office Podcast, to being a freelance writer for Fangoria, Neon Splatter, and more. You can find his work via Muckrack (https://muckrack.com/maxwell-deering). TROY HOWARTH is a Rondo Award-nominated writer who specializes in European Cult cinema. His books include The Haunted World of Mario Bava, Splintered Visions: Lucio Fulci and His Films, So Deadly, So Perverse: 50 Years of Italian Giallo Films, among others. He has also contributed audio commentaries, audio essays, and liner notes to over one hundred DVD and Blu-ray releases from the U.S., the U.K., and Germany. He resides in Pennsylvania. LIN MORRIS is a writer who makes his living doing something else entirely. His novels Spot the Not and The Marriage Wars are both available on Amazon. The first movie he recalls seeing is Two on a Guillotine at the Super 99 Drive-In at much too young an age, and he's been a horror fan ever since. Despite the strenuous efforts of his parents, he remains stubbornly left handed. NATHANIEL THOMPSON has recorded 300 audio commentaries and written five books, most recently The FrightFest Guide to Vampire Movies. You can see him in shows like Eli Roth's History of Horror and Horror's Greatest, and read him yammering about all kinds of movies at mondo-digital.com. --------------------------------------- Keep Searching, Keep Exploring, and, most of all, Keep Sharing the Scare!
S4 · E27
June 26 · 1 hr 18 min
Ep 154 - FRAILTY (2001) at 25: The Family That Slays Together Stays Together
FRAILTY (2001) d. Bill Paxton (USA) For those who only know beloved actor Bill Paxton from his outrageous comic supporting turns or solid leading man roles, watching him bring Brent Hanley's high concept story to exquisitely shaded light is a bit of a revelation. A mysterious young man, Fenton Meiks (played by Matthew McConaughey) walks into a Texas FBI building and reveals to Agent Doyle (played by Powers Boothe) that he knows the identity of a local serial killer known as "God's Hand." Fenton tells of his father (played by Paxton himself), a loving man of deep faith who awakens his sons one night with the news that he has had a vision: God has called on them to serve as slayers of demons. Of course, upon hearing that these demons are "disguised" as human beings, Fenton understandably begins to question his father's sanity. Hanley's powerful screenplay was inspired by both Catholic school teachings and a love of Stephen King. A modern take on the Old Testament stories of fealty and faith, Paxton and his creative team endow such banal objects as a pair of gloves, a lead pipe, and an axe named "Otis" with mythical status, as well as an abiding uncertainty and mistrust of what we see around us and/or how events are interpreted. Is this a tale of religious enlightenment or mental psychosis? You'll have to ride along with Fenton and Agent Doyle to find the answers… which only end up leading to more questions. In the quarter-century since its release, Frailty has lost none of its power, delivering psychological tension and shocks without gratuitous splatter and gore, anchored by incredible performances, Bill Butler's gorgeous cinematography, and Arnold Glassman's sharp editing. Paxton's feature debut is subtle and ambiguous, giving its audience the freedom to arrive at their own terrifying conclusions. Join AC and his fanatical, er, fantastic panel of guests (Cati Glidewell, Jay Kay, Gert Verbeeck, Freddie Young) as we celebrate 25 years of FRAILTY!! ------------------------------------------- CATI GLIDEWELL (aka The Blonde in Front) is a Chicago-based film critic, lifelong cinephile, film festival jury member, and a member of Chicago Indie Critics since 2020. You can find her on all social media platforms, as well as Post Mortem radio and Radio of Horror on YouTube. JAY KAY is the creator of the 7-time Rondo-nominated horror podcast, Horror Happens, where he has conducted hundreds upon hundreds of interviews with genre celebrities. A staff writer with HorrorHound Magazine, he is also a budding filmmaker, with numerous credits to his name, including No Good Deed, Within the Frame, and Swing 46: The Last Swinging Supper Club. https://astrangemaninflpro.wixsite.com/jkolucki GERT VERBEECK is a filmmaker, writer and musician from Brussels, Belgium. His independent production floor Amoeba Pictures offers non-exclusive creative contributions to local projects and international co-productions. He likes his literature, motion pictures and musical experiences diverse, nuanced, and intense. FREDDIE YOUNG is a NYC horror reviewer and frequent podcaster. He has been running the website Full Moon Reviews (www.fullmoonreviews.net) since 2006, telling it like it is and enjoys spreading the word on good and bad films, mainly in the horror genre. He's planning on a full-time return to podcasting soon, hoping to put some attention on some "misunderstood films." ------------------------------------------- Keep Searching, Keep Exploring, and, most of all, Keep Sharing the Scare!
S4 · E26
June 18 · 1 hr 53 min
Ep 153 - TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE Sequels, Prequels, Remakes, and Reboots!
THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE 2 (1986) d. Tobe Hooper (USA) LEATHERFACE: TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE III (1990) d. Jeff Burr (USA) TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE: THE NEXT GENERATION (1995) d. Kim Henkel (USA) THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE (2003) d. Marcus Nispel (USA) THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE: THE BEGINNING (2006) d. Jonathan Liebesman (USA) TEXAS CHAINSAW 3D (2013) d. John Lussenhop (USA) LEATHERFACE (2017) d. Alexandre Bustillo/Julien Maury (USA) TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE (2022) d. David Blue Garcia (USA) Tonight, we're firing up our collective McCullochs and taking a trip through one of the most bizarre and tangled family trees in horror history: The Texas Chain Saw Massacre franchise. As fans know, Tobe Hooper's classic 1974 film eventually yielded an entire franchise—one filled with sequels, prequels, remakes, reboots, retcons, and enough continuity headaches to make both the Sawyer AND the Hewitt families scramble for their handy almanacs. Over the next 20 years, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2 (1986), Leatherface: The Texas Chainsaw Massacre III (1990), and Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Next Generation (1995) each took the series in wildly different directions. Then came the Platinum Dunes era with The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (2003) and its prequel The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning (2006), introducing the franchise to a new generation, and kicking off the remake spree of the early 2000s. As if things weren't complicated enough, the timeline was rebooted again in 2013 with Texas Chainsaw 3D, which ignored the other films and positioned itself as a direct follow-up to the 1974 original. That was followed by Leatherface (2017), an origin story exploring the character's early years, and finally Texas Chainsaw Massacre (2022), another legacy sequel that revisited the events (and characters) of the original movie while carving out its own slice of history and social commentary. Now, let's be honest—not every TCM entry is a masterpiece. Some are beloved, some are controversial, and some have inspired horror fans to endlessly argue over where they fit into the timeline. But that's part of the fun. Every film, regardless of its reputation, is an attempt to expand the mythology of one of cinema's most iconic creations. So fill your BBQ plate and join AC and his buzz-worthy panel of guests (Dan Caffrey, Chelsea David, Jonathon Lucas, Ryan Olson, Tim Palace) as we explore the sequels, prequels, remakes, and reboots that transformed a single low-budget masterpiece into the genre's most enduring, frustrating, and fascinating franchises! --------------------------------------------------- DAN CAFFREY is a Brooklyn-based playwright, screenwriter, podcaster, and lifelong horror fan Caffrey currently co-hosts The Losers' Club: A Stephen King Podcast and Halloweenies: A Horror Franchise Podcast, both on Bloody Disgusting's podcast network, Bloody FM. He received his MFA In Playwriting from UT Austin and has also written as a cultural critic for The A.V. Club, Consequence, Pitchfork, Vox, and elsewhere. His favorite horror movie is Halloween. His favorite movie-movie is also Halloween. (https://www.dancaffreywrites.com/) CHELSEA DAVID is an actor, budding mental health professional, and spicy food eater, deeply obsessed with all things horror. A Louisiana native and former Chicagoan of a decade, she can be found bouncing around the country at any given moment. You'll hear her laugh before you see her. JONATHON LUCAS is a horror fiend from Australia whose love for the genre predates his brain's ability to form memories. He contributed the essay for At Midnight I'll Take Your Soul for Hidden Horror. RYAN OLSON (aka S. Ravenlord of The Cold Beyond music group) is the owner of Deadspeak Design and Night World Records, as well as a member of the Synapse Films street team and a regular on the Synapse Films podcast. His work has been featured in Liquid Cheese, Horrorhound, & Evilspeak Magazines. TIM PALACE is a lifelong Chicago-based genre fan with a particular devotion to the horrific. A committed collector of physical media, Tim has amassed close to 13,000 titles he's excited to share with his new terror tyke Oliver. --------------------------------------------------------- Keep Searching, Keep Exploring, and, most of all, Keep Sharing the Scare!
S4 · E25
June 11 · 1 hr 4 min
Ep 152 - THE CRAFT (1996): 30 YEARS OF "Light as a Feather, Stiff as a Board!"
THE CRAFT (1996) d. Andrew Fleming (USA) THE CRAFT: LEGACY (2020) d. Zoe Lister-Jones (USA) Directed by Andrew Fleming and written by Peter Filardi, The Craft follows four teenage girls, Sarah (Robin Tunney), Rochelle (Rachel True), Bonnie (Neve Campbell), and Nancy (Fairuza Balk) who form a coven and discover that their growing magical abilities come with consequences. While the film delivers memorable scares and thrills, its enduring appeal comes from its exploration of friendship, alienation, power, and the desire to belong. Long before social media popularized modern witch aesthetics, The Craft introduced many young viewers to imagery and themes associated with contemporary paganism and occult traditions. Its fashion—dark clothing, chokers, platform shoes, and gothic-inspired looks—helped define a generation of alternative style and continues to influence fashion trends today. At a time when many horror movies focused on female characters primarily as victims, The Craft gave its protagonists agency, ambition, and complexity. The story's examination of how power can corrupt remains one of its most compelling elements, adding depth beyond the typical teen horror formula. While also a commercial success at the time of its release, The Craft has gone on to achieve true cult-classic status, celebrated for its memorable performances, quotable dialogue, and distinctive atmosphere. Its influence is strongly felt in popular culture with books, TV shows, and movies about witches, female friendships, and supernatural empowerment thriving today, ensuring that its legacy remains as powerful as ever. Join AC and his all-powerful panel of guests (Dino Clark, Anna Maurya, Jennifer Olson, Jordy Sirken) as we celebrate 30 years of THE CRAFT!! ------------------------------------------ DINO CLARK has been a horror fan since he was a wee lad, after his parents bought their first VCR in the mid-80s. Born and raised in Chicago, he loves attending horror cons & chatting about his fave horror films with fellow fans! He has been in Human Resources for most of his career, which can be a mini-horror movie at times. ANNA MAURYA is a film fan stuck in Ohio. They have been a guest on Raiders of the Podcast, a contributor to Hidden Horror, and they generally dislike writing about themselves in the third person. JENNIFER OLSON is a lifelong horror fan and mother of three monster kids. She is a former member of The Flint Horror Con, and currently part of the Synapse Films street team! JORDY SIRKEN is the horror-obsessed critic behind Jordy Reviews It (jordyreviewsit.com). Slashers, creature features, paranormal haunts, and everything in between, she's an avid fan of the macabre, and a HUGE enthusiast of practical effects. Since 2015, she's been reviewing genre films and is a Rotten Tomatoes-approved critic. You can follow her on Instagram and TikTok at @jordyreviewsit -------------------------------------------- Keep Searching, Keep Exploring, and, most of all, Keep Sharing the Scare!
S4 · E24
June 4 · 1 hr 40 min
Ep 151 - 50 Years of THE OMEN (1976): "It's All for You, Damien!"
THE OMEN (1976) d. Richard Donner (USA) DAMIEN: OMEN II (1978) d. Don Taylor (USA) THE FINAL CONFLICT (1981) d. Graham Baker (USA) OMEN IV: THE AWAKENING (1991) d. Jorge Montesi/Dominique Othenin-Girard (USA) THE OMEN (2006) d. John Moore (USA) THE FIRST OMEN (2024) d. Arkasha Stevenson (USA) The success of William Friedkin's The Exorcist in 1973 sparked any number of cheapie imitations, spawning an entire subgenre of occult and possession-themed features. What sets The Omen apart from these is screenwriter David Seltzer and director Richard Donner's thoughtful adherence to a rigid universe of logic and plausibility; all of the bizarre tragedies surrounding the Thorns could be justified as pure coincidence and/or freak accidents, without any supernatural leanings. This grounding in reality, further anchored by Peck's stolid presence, turned what could have been a schlocky exercise in exploitation into a prestige picture that demanded attention and (occasionally grudging) respect. In addition to the spectacular set-pieces orchestrated by effects wiz John Richardson, the film is extremely well-shot by British all-star Gilbert Taylor (who would lens Star Wars the following year) and populated by a fantastic ensemble that includes Patrick Troughton as a tormented priest, Leo McKern as a crusty archaeologist, David Warner as a cynical photojournalist, and Billie Whitelaw as our nefarious nanny Ms. Baylock. Even critics who disliked the film could not argue its merits, with Jerry Goldsmith's haunting choral-tinged score receiving the most praise (and an Academy Award). Spawning two theatrical sequels, a made-for-TV sequel, a 2006 remake, a 2016 television series, and a 2024 prequel, the influence of The Omen has been felt for 50 years and belongs on every horror fan's Anti-Christmas wish list. Join AC and his devilish panel of guests (Jenn Adams, Chris Hainsworth, Katie McLean Hainsworth, Dwan L. Hearn, Kevin Matthews) as we celebrate a half-century of THE OMEN!! -------------------------------------------------------- JENN ADAMS is a writer and podcaster from Nashville, TN. She co-hosts The Loser's Club: A Stephen King Podcast, The Lady Killers: A Feminine Rage Podcast, Murder Made Fiction, and The Girls on The Boys. She is a contributor and columnist for Bloody Disgusting, Rue Morgue and Dread Central and creator of the Strong Female Antagonist blog. CHRIS HAINSWORTH (he/him/his) is an actor/writer/director represented by Big Mouth Talent Chicago. He is a DeathScribe winner 2009 for the audio drama "Remembrance" and author of The Fourth Wall, part of Motel 666 (2015). KATIE MCLEAN HAINSWORTH is a Chicago-based performer/writer, whom you can regularly find on both the DARK NEXUS and FAWX & STALLION podcasts. She's happily guested on HORROR 101 a few times as well as on Roll For Impact's THE STRANGER. DWAN L. HEARN, more affectionately known as "The Moon", is an author [The Copperwheat Collection, 2023], co-host of "The Sako and the Moon Horror Podcast," and host of "The Moon = Wrestling Podcast", film-maker with Hallowed Hills Entertainment, and a two-time award-winning screenwriter. KEVIN MATTHEWS posts a movie review daily on the For It Is Man's Number blog, and is one quarter of the Raiders of the Podcast team who have been putting out weekly episodes for over six years. https://linktr.ee/raidersofthepodcast --------------------------------------------------- Keep Searching, Keep Exploring, and, most of all, Keep Sharing the Scare!
S4 · E23
May 28 · 1 hr 36 min
Ep 150 - INVASION OF THE BODY SNATCHERS (1956–2007) - "They're Coming! They're Here Already!"
INVASION OF THE BODY SNATCHERS (1956) d. Don Siegel (USA) INVASION OF THE BODY SNATCHERS (1978) d. Philip Kaufman (USA) BODY SNATCHERS (1993) d. Abel Ferrara (USA) THE INVASION (2007) d. Oliver Hirschbiegel (USA) The theme of an alien entity occupying or replacing the bodies of those nearest and dearest to us had been utilized in horror cinema throughout the years. But it is producer Walter Wanger's 1956 production of Invasion of the Body Snatchers, directed by Don Siegel, and starring Kevin McCarthy and Dana Wynter, which has come to exemplify the concept. The legacy of the 1956 original endured through countless theatrical reissues and television viewings, establishing itself as one of the high-water marks of '50s sci-fi cinema. However, director Philip Kaufman's worthy 1978 update proved to be reverential to its predecessor whilst striking its own quirky, innovative, and more graphic chords, with surprising scenes of PG-rated violence and nudity. Two other official adaptations followed, 1993's Body Snatchers and 2007's The Invasion, both of which suffered the indignities of studio interference and failed to land with viewers or critics. The legacy of the Body Snatchers remains alive and well, reflecting back our worst fears, as well as exploring the eternal struggle of being human. It's no wonder that scholars and critics have found Finney's story and its four official film adaptations perfect subjects for social commentary. From Communist red scares to self-preoccupied "Me Generations" to militarized mindsets, the shoe continues to fit each and every generation. Join AC and his incredible panel of guests (Dodd Alley, Christianne Benedict, Neil Calderone, Mike Mayo, John Kenneth Muir) as we celebrate 70 years of INVASION OF THE BODY SNATCHERS! ------------------------------------------------- DODD ALLEY is an author (Gamers and Gorehounds: The Influence of Video Games on the Contemporary American Horror Film) and has a Masters in Film Studies from Ohio University, where he taught courses on Cult Cinema and Hollywood Reflexive films. CHRISTIANNE BENEDICT is a cartoonist, film writer, malcontent, and Bloginatrix at https://krelllabs.blogspot.com NEIL CALDERONE is the founder of The Chicago Cinema Society, a 35mm print collector, film programmer, musician, science educator and former chemist. MIKE MAYO has written several books about film and popular culture, among them VideoHound's Horror Show and American Murder. He is also the author of the Jimmy Quinn historical suspense novels set in Prohibition-era New York. https://www.mike-mayo.com/ JOHN KENNETH MUIR is the creator of the award winning-web series, Abnormal Fixation, which returns for its second season in 2026, and award-winning audio drama Enter The House Between. He is also the author of Horror Films of the 1970s (2002), and Eaten Alive at a Chainsaw Massacre: The Films of Tobe Hooper (2001). ------------------------------------------------------ Keep Searching, Keep Exploring, and, most of all, Keep Sharing the Scare!
S4 · E22
May 22 · 58 min
Ep 149 - STEVEN SPIELBERG'S DUEL (1971): STILL ALIVE AND DRIVING AT 55!!
DUEL (1971) d. Steven Spielberg (USA) Adapted by Richard Matheson from his original short story, Duel follows traveling salesman David Mann (Dennis Weaver) as a routine drive through the California desert turns into a relentless pursuit by a mysterious tanker truck and its unseen driver. Director Steven Spielberg and his expert team exploit that simple premise with remarkable precision. Every stretch of empty highway, every glance in the rearview mirror, becomes charged with dread. The truck itself emerges as one of the great monsters of 1970s cinema: a growling, smoke-belching machine with no clear motive beyond intimidation and destruction. As a historical artifact, what makes Duel so fascinating is how completely Spielberg understood visual storytelling from the beginning. The dialogue is sparse, character details are minimal, and exposition is kept to a bare minimum. Meanwhile, suspense is built almost entirely through editing, camera placement, and sound design. Spielberg turns gas stations, roadside diners, school buses, and open desert landscapes into arenas of psychological warfare. Viewed today, Duel is both a self-contained masterpiece and a blueprint for Spielberg's future. Its themes of ordinary people confronting overwhelming forces, its meticulous suspense mechanics, and its instinct for audience identification echoes throughout films like Jaws, Close Encounters of the Third Kind, Raiders of the Lost Ark, Jurassic Park, and beyond. Join AC and his hard-driving panel of guests (Christianne Benedict, Jay Kay, Michael Klug, Cullen Wade) as we celebrate 55 years of DUEL!! ----------------------------------------------------- CHRISTIANNE BENEDICT is a cartoonist, film writer, malcontent, and Bloginatrix at https://krelllabs.blogspot.com JAY KAY is the creator of the 7-time Rondo-nominated horror podcast, Horror Happens, where he has conducted hundreds upon hundreds of interviews with genre celebrities. A staff writer with HorrorHound Magazine, he is also a budding filmmaker, with numerous credits to his name, including No Good Deed, Within the Frame, and Swing 46: The Last Swinging Supper Club. https://astrangemaninflpro.wixsite.com/jkolucki MICHAEL KLUG was born and raised in South Dakota. He is an actor, screenwriter, film critic, screenplay consultant, novelist, filmmaker and overall movie nerd, living in Los Angeles. Long live George A. Romero!" http://klugiverse.com/ CULLEN WADE is the author of S(p)lasher Flicks: The Swimming Pool in Horror Cinema, out in 2025 from McFarland Books. Follow him on letterboxd @tobe_whooper and Bluesky @cullenwade.bsky.social -------------------------------------------------- Keep Searching, Keep Exploring, and, most of all, Keep Sharing the Scare!
S4 · E21
May 14 · 1 hr 17 min
Ep 148 - HOMICIDAL & MR. SARDONICUS (1961): The Gimmicks and Ghouls of WILLIAM CASTLE!!
HOMICIDAL (1961) d. William Castle (USA) MR. SARDONICUS (1961) d. William Castle (USA) Few filmmakers in American horror are remembered as vividly—or as superficially—as William Castle. Mention his name and most movie fans immediately think of outrageous theatrical gimmicks: skeletons flying over audiences, theater seats rigged with buzzing devices, or insurance policies handed out in the lobby. But the enduring popularity of those gimmicks has also has had the unfortunate effect of overshadowing the films themselves. This becomes especially evident when discussing 1961's Homicidal and Mr. Sardonicus. Both films demonstrate a director refining his approach while still embracing his flair for audience participation. Homicidal, Castle's audacious answer to Alfred Hitchcock's Psycho, combines lurid storytelling with genuinely unsettling atmosphere, prompting an onscreen "Fright Break" just before the climax, while Mr. Sardonicus delivers a stylish Gothic morality tale wrapped inside one of Castle's most famous interactive gimmicks, The Punishment Poll. Castle understood pacing, audience psychology, and the uniquely communal thrill of watching horror with a crowd. The gimmicks may have brought audiences into the theater, but it is the movies themselves that have kept us entertained for generations. Join us AC and his Castle Freaks (Jessica Dwyer, Matt Harding, Dan Kiggins, John Pata) as we celebrate 65 years of HOMICIDAL and MR. SARDONICUS!! -------------------------------------------------------- JESSICA DWYER was raised on a diet of Dark Shadows, Doctor Who, and a lot of things she saw way too young. She's been writing for nearly a quarter of a century about the world of entertainment and her own fiction (and that sound you heard was her bones turning to dust.) She works for the JoBlo Network, HorrorHound Magazine, and is a producer on a number of projects. MATT HARDING is the special events coordinator and regional warrior for Severin Films. He has been an English/Literature teacher for middle school for 22 years. He also is a huge collector of William Castle memorabilia. DAN KIGGINS has worked on a number of independent features, shorts, TV shows, and innumerable commercials over the past 15 years as a Jack of all trades. A self-proclaimed cinephile, he has a vast collection of film ephemera including over 3000 movies. JOHN PATA lives in Wisconsin. He's made some horror films, he's hosted some horror stuff, and he's read some horror books. ---------------------------------------------------- Keep Searching, Keep Exploring, and, most of all, Keep Sharing the Scare!
S4 · E20
May 8 · 1 hr 32 min
Ep 147 - THE HOWLING & AN AMERICAN WEREWOLF IN LONDON - The Lycanthrope Classics That Changed It All
THE HOWLING (1981) d. Joe Dante (USA) AN AMERICAN WEREWOLF IN LONDON (1981) d. John Landis (UK/USA) In the spring and summer of 1981, werewolf cinema underwent a radical transformation—not through one film, but two. Released just months apart, The Howling and An American Werewolf in London didn't just revive a fading subgenre—they redefined what cinematic horror could look and feel like. Directed by Joe Dante and co-written by John Sayles and Terence H. Winkless, The Howling blends satire, psychological horror, and media critique. Its cast includes Dee Wallace, Patrick Macnee, and Dennis Dugan, who ground the film's increasingly surreal descent into lupine terror. The groundbreaking transformation sequences were brought to life by effects artist Rob Bottin, whose work pushed the limits of prosthetics and animatronics, delivering visceral, tactile horror that audiences had never seen before. Meanwhile, across the Atlantic, John Landis wrote and directed An American Werewolf in London, a film that boldly fused outright comedy with genuine dread. Starring David Naughton, Griffin Dunne, and Jenny Agutter, the film follows two young Americans whose backpacking trip turns nightmarish after a brutal attack on the moors. The iconic, and agonizing, on-screen transformation—was crafted by legendary makeup artist Rick Baker. His revolutionary efforts earned the very first official Academy Award for Best Makeup, legitimizing special effects artistry as a cornerstone of cinematic achievement. Together, these films reshaped horror in profound ways. They elevated practical effects to an art form, influenced generations of filmmakers, and proved that horror could evoke both screams and belly laughs. Whether through Dante's subversive Hollywood satire or Landis's genre-blending bravado, The Howling and An American Werewolf in London remain towering achievements—twin pillars of lycanthrope cinema whose combined legacy still howls through the genre today. Join AC and his monstrous panel of guests (Craig J. Clark, Julia Marchese, Vanessa Morgan, Chris Scales, Jill Van Voorst) as we celebrate THE WEREWOLVES OF 1981!! -------------------------------------- CRAIG J. CLARK watches a lot of movies. He started watching them in New Jersey, where he was born and raised, and continues to watch them in Indiana. He is a frequent contributor to Crooked Marquee (https://crookedmarquee.com/author/craig-j-clark/) and writes the monthly Full Moon Features column for Werewolf News (https://werewolf-news.com/category/full-moon-features/). He is not a werewolf himself (or so he says) JULIA MARCHESE is a podcaster (Horror Movie Survival Guide, The Losers' Club, JodoWOWsky), filmmaker, actor, film programmer, writer and cinephile living in Hollywood; California. https://linktr.ee/juliacmarchese VANESSA MORGAN is the author of several movie reference guides (When Animals Attack, Strange blood, Evil Seeds & Meow!), all available from Amazon https://amzn.to/3Hzm0wN. She's also the creator of the websites https://cat-movies.com and https://traveling-cats.com. CHRIS SCALES is a lifelong horror fan, aspiring horror screenwriter, and horror panelist. JILL VAN VOORST has been a horror lover since childhood! From showing scary films at her sleepovers as a kid, to running LIX (with her husband Gregg)-a large booth vending horror hoodies, tanks, tees and clothing for all at the best horror cons- you're likely to see Jill adorning or doing something scary at almost any time. http://www.lixonline.com She is also a chocolatier and brings her scary style to the world of chocolate. https://delixcious.com/ -------------------------------------------------- Keep Searching, Keep Exploring, and, most of all, Keep Sharing the Scare!
S4 · E19
May 1 · 1 hr 21 min
Ep 146 - PAN'S LABYRINTH (2006) - Guillermo del Toro's Dark Fantasy Classic Turns 20!!
PAN'S LABYRINTH (2006) d. Guillermo del Toro (Mexico/Spain) Revisiting Guillermo del Toro's metaphorical masterpiece combining dark real-world horror (Franco's civil war-torn Spain) with children's fantasy, it's a little surprising to realize that this, his last Spanish-language movie, was released two decades ago. For me personally, whether directing (Cronos, The Devil's Backbone) or producing (The Orphanage, Biutiful, Julia's Eyes), everyone's favorite Mexican-born monster kid delivers his best work in his native language. As diverting and visually imaginative as his Hollywood popcorn efforts like Pacific Rim and the Hellboy movies are, the heart, depth, and intellect of his more "personal" films resonate on a completely different level. Interweaving fantasy and reality, visual poetry with graphic violence, Pan's Labyrinth is an incredible cinematic experience, with astonishing production/set design, Guillermo Navarro's cinematography, and breathtaking makeup designs, each earning Oscars in their respective fields. The film also was nominated for Javier Navarrete's exquisite musical score, del Toro's brilliant screenplay, and Best Foreign Film. Within the incredible ensemble, special notice goes out to Maribel Verdu as the duplicitous housemaid Mercedes, Sergi Lopez's military and all too human monster, and Ivana Baquero as Ofelia, whose guileless central performance anchors the picture. A unequivocal must-see, the film continues to reward after countless viewings through various lenses, like every classic fairy tale. Join AC and his incredible panel of guests (Michelle Kisner, Tyler Pistorius, Lee Price, Elena Romea, Maura Sarazen) as we celebrate 20 years of PAN'S LABYRINTH!! ---------------------------------------------------------------------- MICHELLE KISNER is a film critic, freelance writer, and physical media advocate. She has contributed to several websites to include The Cultural Gutter and The Movie Sleuth and is also a member of the Michigan Movie Critics Guild. TYLER PISTORIUS is an actor, screenwriter, and producer living in Chicago. His recent works include Death is Business and A Missed Connection, and is currently in development on a new project. LEE PRICE has dedicated his career to celebrating our history and culture (including horror films!) through freelance writing and 25 years with the Conservation Center for Art & Historic Artifacts. He is a guest blogger at "Wonders in the Dark." ELENA ROMEA is the creator behind SpanishFear.com and Horror Rises from Spain. A researcher in literature and cinema, she holds a Ph.D. in Spanish Studies with a dissertation about the filmmaker José Val del Omar. Her work explores themes of estrangement, horror, myth, and cultural conflict. MAURA SARAZEN has been watching horror movies since she was a child. Her earliest memory is watching The Exorcist while in a playpen. She enjoys long walks in a fog-filled forest, her favorite eye color is black sclera, and she truly believes turning into a werewolf would fix her back problems. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Keep Searching, Keep Exploring, and, most of all, Keep Sharing the Scare!
S4 · E18
April 24 · 1 hr 21 min
Ep 145 - THE HITCHER (1986) Turns 40 — Rutger Hauer Owns the Road!
THE HITCHER (1986) d. Robert Harmon (USA) While driving from Chicago to San Diego, Jim Halsey (C. Thomas Howell) picks up a hitchhiker (Rutger Hauer) who introduces himself as John Ryder. Little does Halsey realize that this simple act of kindness will change the course of his road trip, and his life, forever. The Hitcher failed spectacularly during its 1986 release, as a confused fan base and critics rallied against it. Throughout the early to mid-'80s, films like Halloween, Friday the 13th and A Nightmare on Elm Street dominated the horror genre, spawning sequels and imitators by the score. The Hitcher, by contrast, was different, very different. Unlike the typical slasher, where killers always had reasons behind their murderous deeds, no matter how contrived, Ryder has no apparent motivation for his actions. He targets Halsey for no other cause than Halsey's attempt to do a good deed, and Hauer, an actor at the absolute height of his powers, masterfully imbues his monster with an extraordinary humanity without explanation or apologies. The isolated desert setting provides a strong atmosphere of horror as well. John Seale's cinematography provides many astonishing glimpses of the morbidly beautiful, barren landscape, with the scorching heat-haze effect evoking the aesthetics of a malevolent, possibly supernatural entity. Mark Isham's haunting electronic synth score accents the proceedings with a sense of melancholy not often found in this type of material. 40 years later, The Hitcher remains a true experiment in horror. Cloaked in screenwriter Eric Red's spare, minimalist dialogue and characterization, it is a genre film that dares to constantly surprise and challenge its target audience. The blend of action, drama, horror, and the outright refusal to tidy things up make this a surprisingly intelligent and subversive piece of cinema. One that will inevitably come to mind the next time you find yourself driving alone late at night, looking ahead to see if there is a shadowy figure looming on the horizon. Join AC and his incredible panel of guests (Jess Ader, Max Deering, Grant Kuchan, John McDevitt) as we celebrate 40 years of THE HITCHER!! ---------------------------------------------------- JESS ADER is a fellow appreciator of movies and deep synth soundtracks. Former radio-TV-film student making money elsewhere but never giving up the love of all "moving" forms of media and art. He likes peanut butter. MAX DEERING is a student of genre cinema that wears many hats. From a Producer and Editor of several podcasts including Action For Everyone and The Box Office Podcast, to being a freelance writer for Fangoria, Neon Splatter, and more. You can find his work via Muckrack (https://muckrack.com/maxwell-deering). GRANT KUCHAN is a writer of pulp, wellness coach, and a real swell guy. He plays in any Jug Bands that let him. One day he'll finish another novel, which will probably be available on Amazon, as well as at most Darktower Comics locations across the greater Chicagoland Area. The horror movie that still gives him nightmares is Matango. He saw it when he was six, and still doesn't eat mushrooms. JOHN MCDEVITT is a lifelong cinephile who programs two recurring film events in Chicago: SUPER-HORROR-RAMA! and Fetish Film Forum, a monthly screening series about fetish, kink, leather, and BDSM at the Leather Archives & Museum. John is fascinated by all genres of cinema and appreciates horror most of all for its willingness to explore what makes us uncomfortable and for the compassion it often extends to its characters and the viewer. --------------------------------------------- Keep Searching, Keep Exploring, and, most of all, Keep Sharing the Scare! *Introduction edited from John Archer's essay in Hidden Horror: A Celebration of 101 Underrated and Overlooked Fright Flicks (2007)
S4 · E17
April 16 · 2 hr 15 min
Ep 144 - THE BEST (AND WORST) SLASHERS OF 1981 (Part 1 of 2)
WHO WANTS TO TALK SLASHERS?? FRIDAY THE 13TH PART 2 (1981) d. Steve Miner (USA) HALLOWEEN II (1981) d. Rick Rosenthal (USA) THE BURNING (1981) d. Tony Maylam (USA) HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME (1981) d. J. Lee Thompson (Canada) MY BLOODY VALENTINE (1981) d. George Mihalka (Canada) THE FUNHOUSE (1981) d. Tobe Hooper (USA) HELL NIGHT (1981) d. Tom DeSimone (USA) THE PROWLER (1981) d. Joseph Zito (USA) NIGHTMARE (1981) d. Romano Scavolini (USA) JUST BEFORE DAWN (1981) d. Jeff Lieberman (USA) The early 1980s were a golden age for horror, and by 1981, the slasher subgenre had already exploded into a full-blown phenomenon, with producers and filmmakers eager to capitalize on the success of Halloween and Friday the 13th. While horror sequels weren't a new concept, Friday the 13th Part 2 introduced Jason Voorhees as a full-fledged killer, creating a genre icon before our eyes, and Halloween II picked up immediately where the 1978 original left off, both pushing their respective series toward more explicit violence and expanding their internal mythologies, with impressive box office results. But there were also plenty of one-offs, from out in the wilderness (The Burning, Just Before Dawn) to civilization (Nightmare, The Prowler), from exotic settings (The Funhouse, Hell Night) including the Great White North (Happy Birthday to Me, My Bloody Valentine). Join AC and his incredible panel of gorehound guests (Fraser Coffeen, Art Ettinger, Kolleen Carney Hoepfner, Adam Rockoff, Freddie Young) as we head back 45 years to a time of body counts, masked killers, outrageous offings, eerie atmosphere, endlessly quotable dialogue, and filmmakers throwing it all at the screen to see what would stick. THE SLASHERS OF 1981!! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- FRASER COFFEEN is the co-host of Creepy History, a podcast dedicated to all the creepy stuff you wish they taught you in High School. He's been published in Horror Homeroom magazine and How to Analyze and Review Comics. ART ETTINGER is the editor of Ultra Violent Magazine, a public defender, and a Razorcake record reviewer. He lives in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania where his lifelong obsessions with punk rock and horror/exploitation cinema continue to consume him. KOLLEEN CARNEY HOEPFNER is a freelance writer, copyeditor, and Southern California convention booth gal for venues such as Fangoria. She is the author of two poetry collections and recently completed her first novel. ADAM ROCKOFF is the screenwriter of Wicked Lake, a film so depraved it caused Ron Jeremy to storm out of the theater in anger. However, his 2010 adaptation of the classic exploitation film, I Spit on Your Grave, received nearly unanimous praise from horror critics. His first book, Going to Pieces: The Rise and Fall of the Slasher Film, 1978-1986, a critical examination of the slasher genre, was made into a documentary which premiered on STARZ, and his follow-up, The Horror of It All traces the highs and lows of the genre through the lens of his own obsessive fandom, which began in the horror aisles of his childhood video store and continued with a steady diet of cable trash. When he's not getting his hands bloody, Rockoff runs the television production company, FlashRock Films. FREDDIE YOUNG is a NYC horror reviewer and frequent podcaster. He has been running the website Full Moon Reviews (www.fullmoonreviews.net) since 2006, telling it like it is and enjoys spreading the word on good and bad films, mainly in the horror genre. He's planning on a full-time return to podcasting soon, hoping to put some attention on some "misunderstood films." ----------------------------------------------------------- Keep Searching, Keep Exploring, and, most of all, Keep Sharing the Scare!

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