Ep. 20 - Pre-Code Horror

Strict movie censorship in America kicked off in 1934- but what horrors were they able to get away with before then?

It's the father of all cursed media, the first haunted horror movie or novel, the original creepypasta.  Let's crack open the King in Yellow. Ambiant music is by Michael Vrazitoulis at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1wvDTPKcLr2lqGkSZvl9AQ.  Audio clips used were from Rocky Horror Studio Cast, Cassilda's Song by Stormclouds, and True Detective. Music is by Station 61, and podcast artwork is by Dana Veitinger.

From old gods that demand human sacrifices to haunted villages with even more haunted villagers, it's time to examine horror movies based around folklore- the folk horror revival.  This episode contains religious debate, fairy tales, and the archetypal female coming of age story. Ambiant music is by Kevin Macleod.  Audio clips used were from Rocky Horror Studio Cast, the trailer for Witchfinder General, The Wicker Man, the trailer for The Blood on Satan's Claw, the trailer for The VVitch, and the trailer for Midommar. Music is by Station 61, and podcast artwork is by Dana Veitinger.

What makes a horror movie bad- so bad it's good, or so bad it's unwatchable?  In this episode, we'll be taking a look at when and how horror doesn't work. Recommended Media: Films (Good): The Most Dangerous Game The Thing Alien Midsommar Rebecca The Haunting The Babadook Get Out Films (Bad): High School Confidential Santa Clause Conquers the Martians Glen or Glenda Reefer Madness Waxworks The Room Manos the Hands of Fate Hobgoblins Ambiant music is by Ross Bugden.  Audio clips used were from Rocky Horror Studio Cast, Plan 9 from Outer Space, the trailer for The Incredibly Strange Creatures Who Stopped Living and Became Mixed Up Zombies, and Cannibal Holocaust.  Music is by Station 61, and podcast artwork is by Dana Veitinger.

In part B of the Frankenstein series, we'll talk about how film and literary adaptations have portrayed the infamous Monster- often as seen through the eyes of his Bride. Ambiant music is by cinematicwaves.  Audio clips used were from Rocky Horror Studio Cast, The Bride of Frankenstein, the trailer for The Bride, and Frankenstein and the Monster from Hell.  Music is by Station 61, and podcast artwork is by Dana Veitinger.

It's time to finally talk about Frankenstein!  In part A, we'll look at how the Doctor has shifted throughout adaptations, and how each version has revealed a new aspect of what it means to play god. Error correction: I repeatedly call Sting's character Carl Frankenstein.  It's Charles Frankenstein.  I don't know why I made that mistake, but it's too late to re-record the entire episode now. Ambiant music is by Eon and Royalty Free Zone.  Audio clips used were from Rocky Horror Studio Cast, Frankenstein, The Curse of Frankenstein, The Bride, The Rocky Horror Picture Show, and Young Frankenstein.  Music is by Station 61, and podcast artwork is by Dana Veitinger.

Ravenloft is perhaps the most famous and influential gothic roleplaying game, but it's not the only one out there!  Join us and discover the strange and unusual world of gothic horror tabletop rpgs. Recommended Media: Roleplaying Games: Ravenloft Vampire: The Dark Ages Bluebeard's Bride A Ghastly Affair Krevborna: A Gothic Blood Opera White Box Gothic Credits: Ambiant music is by DesperateMeasurez and Marc v/d Meulen.  Intro and outro music is by Station 61.  Podcast artwork is by Dana Veitinger. Audio clips used are from Rocky Horror Show Studio Cast and Doctor Demento.

This episode dives into a mixture of Americana, horror, science fiction and history to tell the tales of the Weird West. Recommended Media: Books: Track of the Cat Dracula Films: High Plains Drifter Ravenous TV: Wild Wild West Music: savingcountrymusic.com's annual Halloween playlist American Murder Song Comics: Pretty Deadly House of Penance Roleplaying Games: Deadlands Dogs in the Vineyard Credits: Ambiant music is by Movie Music and Garageband. Intro and outro music is by Station 61.  Podcast artwork is by Dana Veitinger. Audio clips used are from High Plains Drifter Trailer, Ravenous and Wild Wild West Pilot Commercial

It's time to tell some fairy tales- one of the most frightening fairy tales of all.  In this episode, we'll look at the story of Bluebeard, lingering questions around it, and its influence on everything from great literature to opera to horror movies.  A patreon sponsored episode! Recommended Media Books: Tales and Stories from the Past with Morals by Charles Perrault The Bloody Chamber by Angela Carter Bluebeard's Wife by T. Kingfisher (short story) Films: Bluebeard (1944) Secret Beyond the Door Bluebeard's Castle (1963) Dragonwyck The Tomb of Ligeia Crimson Peak Roleplaying Games: Bluebeard's Bride   ***   Credits: Ambiant music is by Dee Yan-Key and Aitua on freemusicarchive.org and 'Ghost Stories Incorporated - Alone With Your Voices' by Marc v/d Meulen of https://www.marcvdmeulen.com/. Intro and outro music is by Station 61.  Podcast artwork is by Dana Veitinger. Audio clips used are from The Rocky Horror Show Studio Cast, Bluebeard (1944) and Secret Beyond the Door

If you know all the classic monsters by sight but don't know where to start with their movies, look no further!  In this guide to Universal's 1930s horror movies, we'll look at the foundational films of the genre and see which ones hold up...and think about just what we want out of them. Recommended Media Books: The Monster Show by David J. Skal Danse Macabre by Stephen King Films: Dracula (1931) Dracula's Daughter Son of Dracula Frankenstein (1931) The Bride of Frankenstein Son of Frankenstein The Mummy (1932) The Wolf Man (1941) The Invisible Man (1933) Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein The Shape of Water   *** Credits: Ambiant music is by Universal Music Group America and Darren Curtis.  Intro and outro music is by Station 61.  Podcast artwork is by Dana Veitinger. Audio clips used are from The Rocky Horror Show Studio Cast, Dracula (1931) trailer, The Wolf Man, and The Invisible Man.