Episode 45 - Hong Kong Black Magic

Frankenstein Meets the Wolf Man (1943), House of Frankenstein (1944), and House of Dracula (1945).

Some say that the monster rally films marked the end of the Universal creature features, which could partially be true, but we feel it is for different reasons than the actual films themselves, and they still have a lot of merit to them. While the studio heads might not of cared too much about getting them made, those invovled did their best with what they had. One of the biggest highlights of these titles is the cast of actors in them, some making their last appearances. You get to see Karloff, Chaney Jr., Carradine, J. Carrol Naish, George Zucco, Lionel Atwill, Dwight Frye, and so many other regular faces that will bring a smile to your face when they pop up onscreen.

While maybe running a little thin on ideas and decided to start combining monsters to hopefully bring back bigger box office returns, they still made films that we all still feel are entertaining and we feel are more than worth your time.

Movies mentioned in this episode:

Abbott & Costello Meet Frankenstein (1948), Billy the Kid vs Dracula (1966), The Body Snatcher (1945), Dracula (1931), Frankenstein (1931), Frankenstein Meets the Wolf Man (1942), Freddy vs Jason (2003), Ghost of Frankenstein (1942), House of Dracula (1945), House of Frankenstein (1944), The Invisible Man (1933), The Invisible Man Returns (1940), Man Made Monster (1941), A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984), The Mummy’s Hand (1940), Nocturna (1979), Of Mice and Men (1939), She-Wolf of London (1946), Son of Dracula (1943), Son of Frankenstein (1939), Son of Kong (1933), The Wolf Man (1941)

This truly is a great time to be alive as a crazy cinephile. Just about every day, new amazing looking releases of some of our favorite films are announced, as well as some almost forgotten films brought back from the edges of obscurity for a whole new generation of fans to enjoy. And one of the companies at the forefront is Severin Films, who continues to amaze us fans with the quality of their releases. From their massive box sets to the incredible special features that accompany all of their releases Severin is educating as well as entertaining a whole generation of horror, cult and exploitation fans.

To help us discuss all things Severin, we figured why not invite the man behind the label, co-founder David Gregory himself! Join us while we talk about Video Nasties, how Severin got started, and why they continue to do what they do!

Films mentioned in this episode:

8 ½ (1963), Africa Addio (1966), Anthropophagus (1981), The Beast (1975), The Beast in Space (1980), Best Little Whorehouse in Texas (1982), Beyond the Darkness (1979), Black Emanuelle (1975), Blood Cult (1985), Blood and Flesh: The Reel Life and Ghastly Death of Al Adamson (2019), Bloody Moon (1981), Burial Ground (1981), Cannibal Holocaust (1980), Cathy’s Curse (1977), The Changeling (1980), Citizen Kane (1941), City of the Dead aka Horror Hotel (1960), Cul-de-sac (1966), Dellamorte Dellamore (1994), Devil’s Nightmare (1971), Dracula vs Frankenstein (1971), The Girl on a Motorcycle (1968), Enter the Clones of Bruce (2023), Faces of Death (1978), The Five Days (1973), Four Flies on Grey Velvet (1971), Frances (1982), Frankenstein (1931), Frankenstein and the Monster from Hell (1974), The Ghastly Ones (1968), Goodbye Uncle Tom (1971), Hell of the Living Dead (1980), I Miss You, Hugs and Kisses (1978), Justine (1969), King Kong (1976), Kiss of the Vampire (1963), Kiss Me Monster (1969), Knife in the Water (1962), The Last Horror Film (1982), The Long Hair of Death (1964), Lost Soul: The Doomed Journey of Richard Stanely’s Island of Dr. Moreau (2014), Mad Doctor of Blood Island (1968), Magic (1978), Mancunian Man: The Legendary Life of Cliff Twemlow (2023), Manhunter (1986), Maniac (1980), Mondo Cane (1962), Mondo Cane 2 (1963), Mondo Magic (1975), The Mummy (1959), Nightmare aka Nightmare in a Damaged Brain (1981), Nightmare Castle (1965), Overboard (1987), The Psychic (1977), Repulsion (1965), Sadomania aka Hellhole Women (1981), Shock Wave (1977), Sinful Dwarf (1973), The Stunt Men (1980), Tales of Terror (1962), Texas Chainsaw Massacre: A Family Portrait (1988), Texas Chain Saw Massacre: The Shocking Truth (2000), Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2 (1986), Threads (1984), Two Undercover Angels (1969), Vigilante (1982), The Wicker Man (1973), Women of the World (1963), Woodlands Dark and Days Bewitched: A History of Folk Horror (2021), Zombie (1979)

Dr. Terror's House of Horrors (1965), The House that Dripped Blood (1971) and Tales from the Crypt (1972)

Amicus Productions was most known for their anthology films, even though that was a small percentage of the types of films they did make in over the years. But because of the quality of the films, the power of the stories they were based on, and the incredible cast of actors they would hire, they always made an impact on fans. In this episode, not only do we cover three of our favorite Amicus' anthology titles, but we're joined by producer/director Lawrie Brewster, the man behind the resurrection of Amicus Productions, that is currently working on a new anthology film to be released under the Amicus name! 

Films Mentioned in this Episode:

And Now the Screaming Starts! (1973), Asylum (1972), The Black Gloves (2017), Candyman (1992), Castle of the Living Dead (1964), City of the Dead (1960), Creepshow (1982), Curse of Frankenstein (1957), Doctor Jekyll (2023), Dr. Terror’s House of Horrors (1945), Dr. Terror’s House of Horrors (1965), Frankenstein Must Be Destroyed (1965), From Beyond the Grave (1974), The House that Dripped Blood (1971), In the Grip of Terror (2024), Jamboree (1957), Lord of Tears (2013), Rock Around the Clock (1956), Rock! Rock! Rock! (1956), The Skull (1965), Tales from the Crypt (1972), Vault of Horror (1973)

Bigfoot (1970), Creature from Black Lake (1976), and Abominable (2006).

Tales of a mysterious, giant beast that wanders the wooded areas of the U.S., has never really proven to exist, but even to this day, is believed by many to really be out there, still hidden from mankind. Starting with Bigfoot in 1970, our furry giant became the subject of many movies and documentaries, and even on TV shows, such as The Six Million Dollar Man and even his own Saturday morning series, Bigfoot and Wildboy (1977). All this did was increase the interests in the subject matter, even if it didn't make any new believers. It's a subject that is still being used today with more modern day films taking on this sub-genre, in many different variations and strange interpretations. So join us as we discuss three different styles of the Bigfoot genre and see if you believe in Sasquatch! 

Films mentioned in this episode:

Abominable (2006), Abominable Snowman (1957), Amityville Bigfoot (2024), Amityville II: The Possession (1982), The Amityville Horror (1979), Bigfoot (1970), Bigfoot vs Megalodon (2021), Bigfoot vs Zombies (2016), Bug (2006), The Cannonball Run (1981), Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977), Creature from Black Lake (1976), Day of the Animals (1977), E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982), The Fog (1980), Halloween (1978), House of 1000 Corpses (2003), Invasion of the Animal People (1959), King Kong (1933), Legend of Boggy Creek (1972), Legend of Boggy Creek II (1983), Man Beast (1956), The Manitou (1978), Men in Black 3 (2012), Mountaintop Motel Massacre (1983), Night of Bloody Horror (1969), Night of the Demon (1980), No Country for Old Men (2007), Old Boy (2007). The Passion of the Christ (2004), Return of the Living Dead (1984), Rear Window (1954), Sasquatch: The Legend of Bigfoot (1976), Shriek of the Mutilated (1974), Star Wars (1977), The St. Tammany Miracle (1994), Terror in the Midnight Sun (1959), The Thing (1982), Town that Dreaded Sundown (1976), Toy Story (1995), Werewolf vs the Yeti (1975), Willow Creek (2013)

Satan's Slave (1976), Prey (1977), and Terror (1978)

There are a lot of directors out there that might not have a huge filmography, or even be that well known to the general population of film fans, even in the horror genre. So there is always room to discover them! In this episode, we take a look at three films by British independent director Norman J. Warren, who didn't make a lot of films, but we feel the ones he did make, make him a worthy subject for us to discuss. Honestly, it might make sense to read a little about him before diving into the films, or at least, do it afterwards but I think he is a good example of knowing what he had to make what he did, for us, makes them a little more impressive. You'll get blood, you'll get nudity, and a lot more than you'd expect in these three very British tales of horror.

Films mentioned in this episode:

Batman (1989), Bloody New Year (1987), Curse of the Crimson Alter (1968), The Devil Rides Out (1968), Dr. Phibes Rises Again (1972), Dr. Terror’s House of Horror (1965), Flesh and Blood Show (1972), The Godsend (1980), Horror Hospital (1973), Horror Planet aka Inseminoid (1981), House by the Cemetery (1981), Night Creatures (1962), Prey (1977), Satan’s Slave (1976), Shiver of the Vampire (1971), Suspiria (1977), Thriller: A Cruel Picture (1973), Terror (1978), Tower of Evil (1972), Vampyres (1974)

Another year ending means another Wrap Up episode where we go over our top picks for the year, as well as discussing some other titles we've seen in 2023. While most of the films we do cover here as our favorite viewings for this year are from the last few years, they are not all from 2023. But as we've pointed out many times before, if you're watching it for the first time, no matter when it was released, as far as we're concerned, it still counts as a new movie to you!

2023 has been a great year for the horror genre, especially when you look outside the U.S., which we all hope everyone out there does, because there are some incredible titles coming from Spain, Malaysia, Argentina, Japan, and more. So hopefully our listeners are not restrainted by films that are "only in English", because those folks are sadly missing out on some incredible cinema. 

For this episode, we strongly suggest you have a notepad and pen close by to jot down some titles because we think we're going to give you more than a few that we feel you should be checking out.

And a special HUGE thanks to those that continue to tune in and listen to us ramble on about the genre we love. With this being our 60th episode, it seems our following is growing day by day, so thank you for your continued support and in 2024, we'll continue to help you Discover the Horror!

Films mentioned in this episode:

Accion Mutante (1993), The Angry Black Girl and Her Monster (2023), Anthropophagus (1981), Bewitched (1981), Birth/Rebirth (2023), The Black Demon (2023), The Blackening (2023), Blair Witch Project (1999), Blood Flower (2022), The Boogeyman: The Origin of the Myth aka El hombre del saco (2023), The Boys from County Hell (2020), Cobweb (2023), Cocaine Bear (2023), The Conference (2023), The Creature from the Black Lagoon (1954), The Curse of the Crying Woman (1963), The Dark and the Wicked (2020), Don’t Listen (2020), Dracula (1931), Exists (2014), The Exorcist (1973), The Exorcist: Believer (2023), Evil Dead Rise (2023), Fragile (2005), Frankenstein (1931), Godzilla Minus One (2023), Grabbers (2012), The Grandmother (2021), Halloween (1978), Hallucinations (1986), Harpoon (2019), The Haunted Palace (1963), Hellhole (2022), Huesera: The Bone Woman (2022), The Innocents (2021), Infinity Pool (2023), The Invisible Man (1933), I See You (2019), Juan of the Dead (2011), Knock at the Cabin (2023), The Lake (2023), The Last Horror Film (1982), The Last Voyage of the Demeter (2023), Lifeboat (1944), Mad Heidi (2022), Meg 2 (2023), Megan (2023), Mr. Frost (1990), The Mummy (1932), The Nameless (1999), The Offering (2023), One Cut of the Dead (2017), The Outwaters (2022), The Rape of the Vampire (1968), Red Spirit Lake (1993), Renfield (2023), The Sadness (2021), Satanic Hispanics (2022), Satan’s Slave (2022), Scream VI (2023), Severance (2006), Sister Death (2023), Shaky Shivers (2022), Shaun of the Dead (2004), Skinamarink (2022), Sleep Tight (2011), Talk to Me (2023), Terrified (2017), Thanksgiving (2023), They Look Like People (2015), Troll Hunter (2010), El Vampiro (1957), Venus (2022), The Vigil (2019), The Village (2004), When Evil Lurks (2023), Witching and Bitching (2013), The Wolf Man (1941), Willow Creek (2013), The Witch’s Mirror (1962)

Tower of London (1962), Ghost Nursing (1982), and Stir of Echoes (1999).

Believe it or not, but it's a tradition to tell spooky stories around Christmas time. Just think of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol! While some tales might be told to give one pause about how they are acting towards others, to maybe change your ways, or some told to pass on a message of hope, while others are there just to scare the crap out of you! 

In this episode, we're going to cover three completely different films that all deal with ghosts, in a variety of settings, times, and even countries! This just shows how international the ghost story is, though maybe changed around a bit depending on your beliefs, there is always a reason for these spirts to appear.

Movies mentioned in this episode are:

The Acid Eaters (1967), Black Christmas (1974), Blacula (1972), Brutal Sorcery (1983), Curse of the Undead (1959), Dream Home (2010), Duel (1971), Easy Money (1969), Eat My Dust (1976), Friday the 13^th (1980), Friday the 13^th: The Final Chapter (1984), Ghost Nursing (1982), Haunted Palace (1963), House of Usher (1960), The Incredible Shrinking Man (1957), Krampus (2015), The Legend of Hell House (1973), Mr. Vampire (1985), The Pit and the Pendulum (1961), Pit Stop (1969), The Raven (1963), Seeding of a Ghost (1983), Silent Night Deadly Night (1984), The Sixth Sense (1999), Stir of Echoes (1999), The Terror (1963), Tower of London (1962), The Trip (1967), The Twilight People (1972), War of the Colossal Beast (1958)

The Werewolf of London (1935), The Wolf Man (1941), and She-Wolf of London (1946)

When the night falls and the full moon rises, it is time to talk about werewolves. Not just any werewolves, but the ones that came from Universal Studios. While still riding the wave of their  successes with the horror titles of Dracula, Frankenstein, The Mummy, and The Invisible Man, Universal's front office continued to look for their next big monster, which spawned The Werewolf of London (1935). While it wasn't the success they'd hoped, they would try it again in 1941 on the second wave of monster films, which was a big hit. And like the curse of lycanthropy, things weren't always particualrly good with this particular sub-genre.

We cover the three official titles from Universal that have the werewolf (one in title alone!) by themselves, and not any of the monster-rallys that we'll cover in the future. Will they still hold up to modern audiences? Are they worthy of their "classic monster" title? Listen and find out.

Films mentioned in this episode:

The Ape (1940), The Black Cat (1934), Bride of Frankenstein (1935), The Brute Man (1946), The Cat People (1942), Calling Dr. Death (1943), C.H.U.D. II: Bud the Chud (1989), Climax (1944), Dead Man’s Eyes (1944), Dracula (1931), Dracula’s Daughter (1936), Dracula vs Frankenstein (1971), Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1932), Frankenstein (1931), Frozen Ghost (1945), Great Expectations (1934), House of Frankenstein (1944), House of Dracula (1945), House of Horror (1946), Jungle Woman (1944), The Invisible Man (1933), The Invisible Man Returns (1940), The Invisible Man’s Revenge (1944), The Invisible Woman (1940), The Mad Ghoul (1943), The Mummy (1932), The Mummy’s Curse (1944), The Mummy’s Ghost (1944), Night of the Howling Beast (1975), Of Mice and Men (1939), Pillow of Death (1945), She-Wolf of London (1946), Son of Dracula (1943), Spider Baby (1967), Strange Confession (1945), Troll (1986), The Weird Woman (1944), The Werewolf of London (1935), The Wolf Man (1941), The Werewolf (1913), Werewolf’s Shadow (1971), The White Wolf (1914), Wolf Blood: A Tale of the Forest (1925), The Wolfman (1915), The Wolfman (1923)

There are few events in horrordom quite as joyfully gluttonous as the Black Friday sales put on by our favorite boutique film labels.  As the season approaches, speculation on social media and in rapid-fire in-person conversations reaches a fever pitch.  What new films? What new merch? What great deals? We dream of horrors we might own someday like we’re kids again hunched over a wish book or staring at a toy display from outside a shop window.  Black Friday has become a defining annual event in our annual calendar of events and involves so many people in the fandom, and yet very few of us have any idea what goes into making one of these sales happen. 

Because it’s our mission to give you new ways to see and think about all things horror, we wanted to give you a peek inside one of those boutique labels and have a look at the Black Friday sale.  So our guest on this episode is Justin Tsantsa, Director of Publishing for Vinegar Syndrome, and we are also joined by Jennie Osterman, Lead Shipping Specialist for Vinegar Syndrome.  They guide us through exactly what goes into the whole process and talk a bit about their astonishing new venture, Vinegar Syndrome Publishing, which will be brining some new horror to all our bookshelves in the near future.

Movies mentioned in this episode:

Abomination (1986), Beyond the Darkness (1979), A Blade in the Dark (1983), Blood Sucking Freaks (1976), A Cold Night’s Death (1973), The Corruption of Chris Miller (1973), D.A.R.Y.L. (1985), Deep Inside (1968), Emanuelle in Bangkok (1976), The Exorcist (1973), Fortress (1985), Friday the 13^th Part 2 (1981), Friday the 13^th Part 3 (1982), Fright Night (1985), The Funhouse (1981), Halloween (1978), Halloween II (1981), The House that Dreaded Sundown (1976), Ilsa: She Wolf of the SS (1975), The Legend of Boggy Creek (1972), Madman (1981), Maniac (1980), Mother’s Day (1980), New York Ninja (2021), Phantasm (1978), The Prophecy (1995), The Prophecy II (1998), The Prophecy 3: The Ascent (2000), Red Spirit Lake (1993), Sweet Sugar (1972), Trapped (1977), What’s Up, Tiger Lily (1966), Zombie (1979)

The Sting of Death (1966), APE (1976), and Brutal Sorcery (1983)

It's November, so that must mean it's Turkey Time! Yes, that's right, for the last 20 years, Jon has been holding his Turkey Day Marathon Event, where we spend Black Friday delving into some of the strangest, weirdest, cheesiest, but always entertaining films. The ones most would call bad, we call them Turkeys! Damien started holding his own Turkey Day events 12 years ago, and this year, Aaron is starting his own! So why don't you?!?!

What we call a Turkey is just a film that doesn't play by conventional standards. It may not have a budget, any real talent behind or in front of the camera, but they have passion, and are doing their best to make a good film. They just missed the mark here and there. But they are always entertaining and fun to watch. Especially if you are with other crazy, like-minded cinephiles!

Take a listen to this episode to learn more about what Turkey Day is, as well as hearing our thoughts on three new titles we're covering this time around. Each one would be perfect for your own Turkey Day Marathon!

Movies mentioned in this episode:

A*P*E (1976), Bewitched (1981), Black Magic (1975), Blood Feast (1963), Blood Freak (1972), Boxer’s Omen (1983), Brutal Sorcery (1983), Class of Nuke ‘Em High (1986), Corpse Grinders (1971), Death Curse of Tartu (1966), Flesh for Frankenstein (1973), Frankenstein’s Bloody Terror (1968), The Hooked Generation (1968), The Horror at Party Beach (1964), The Incredibly Strange Creatures Who Stopped Living and Became Mixed-up Zombies (1964), Inhumanwich! (2016), It Came from Hollywood (1982), King Kong (1976), Lady Frankenstein (1971), Mako: The Jaws of Death (1976), Naked Witch (1961), Plan 9 from Outer Space (1957), The Psychedelic Priest (2001), Rat Pfink a Boo Boo (1966), Robot Monster (1953), Sting of Death (1966), The Toxic Avenger (1984), Two Thousand Maniacs (1964), Whiskey Mountain (1977)