Decades of Horror | Horror News Radio

"Just think of it, Willie. Burke and Hare, members of the great medical profession." Yes. Just think of it. Yikes! Join this episode's Grue-Crew – Daphne Monary-Ernsdorff, Chad Hunt, Doc Rotten, and Jeff Mohr – as they check out Scottish life in the 1820s as depicted in The Flesh and the Fiends (1960).

Decades of Horror: The Classic Era Episode 189 – The Flesh and the Fiends (1960)

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ANNOUNCEMENT Decades of Horror The Classic Era is partnering with THE CLASSIC SCI-FI MOVIE CHANNEL, THE CLASSIC HORROR MOVIE CHANNEL, and WICKED HORROR TV CHANNEL Which all now include video episodes of The Classic Era! Available on Roku, AppleTV, Amazon FireTV, AndroidTV, Online Website. Across All OTT platforms, as well as mobile, tablet, and desktop. https://classicscifichannel.com/; https://classichorrorchannel.com/; https://wickedhorrortv.com/

In 1828 Scotland, Edinburgh surgeon Dr. Knox does medical research on cadavers he buys from murderers Burke and Hare, without questioning the unethical procurement methods.

• Directed by: John Gilling
• Writing Credits: John Gilling and Leon Griffiths
• Makeup Department: Jimmy Evans (makeup artist), Betty Sherriff (hairdresser)
• Costume and Wardrobe Department: Laura Nightingale (wardrobe)
• Selected Cast:
  • Peter Cushing as Dr. Robert Knox
  • June Laverick as Martha Knox
  • Donald Pleasence as William Hare
  • George Rose as William Burke
  • Renee Houston as Helen Burke
  • Dermot Walsh as Dr. Geoffrey Mitchell
  • Billie Whitelaw as Mary Patterson
  • John Cairney as Chris Jackson
  • Melvyn Hayes as Daft Jamie
  • June Powell as Maggie O'Hara
  • Andrew Faulds as Inspector McCulloch
  • Philip Leaver as Dr. Elliott
  • George Woodbridge as Dr. Ferguson
  • Garard Green as Dr. Andrews
  • Esma Cannon as Aggie
  • Geoffrey Tyrrell as Old Davey
  • George Bishop as Blind Man
  • Beckett Bould as Old Angus (as Becket Bould)
  • George Street as Publican
  • Michael Balfour as Drunken Sailor
  • Steven Scott as Grave Robber (as Stephen Scott)
  • Raf De La Torre as Grave Robber

The Flesh and the Fiends feels like a Hammer Film – although, in terms of producers, it is much closer to a Tempean film – and retells the Burke and Hare case of the late 1820s in Scotland. Burke and Hare (George Rose and Donald Pleasence) are "the fiends." Mary (Billie Whitelaw) and their other victims are "the flesh." Dr. Knox (Peter Cushing) is the one who purchases "the flesh" from "the fiends." These four actors steal the show! And if you've ever wished you lived in Edinburgh, Scotland, during the 1820s, you might reconsider that wish after seeing this film. Or you might not. Let us know!

At the time of this writing, The Flesh and the Fiends (1960) is available to stream from the Classic Horror Movie Channel, Wicked Horror TV, Kanopy, and Flix Fling as well as PPV from Amazon and Flix Fling. It is available on physical media as a Blu-ray formatted disc from Kino Lorber.

Gruesome Magazine's Decades of Horror: The Classic Era records a new episode every two weeks. Next in their very flexible schedule – this one chosen by Chad – is Indestructible Man (1956) starring Lon Chaney Jr as "Butcher" Benton! You won't want to miss this one!

Please let them know how they're doing! They want to hear from you – the coolest, grooviest fans: leave them a message or leave a comment on the Gruesome Magazine YouTube channel, the site, or email the Decades of Horror: The Classic Era podcast hosts at [email protected]

To each of you from each of them, "Thank you so much for watching and listening!"

"All I saw was an old man with a funky hand, … that's all I saw." Well, there's a lot more to see than a funky hand! Join your faithful Grue Crew – Crystal Cleveland, Bill Mulligan, and Jeff Mohr, along with special guests Jeff Farley and Ralph Miller – as they get down and dirty and gloppy with The Blob (1988) and its special effects. [NOTE: Technical issues forced Jeff Farley to drop out early in the recording. Bill and Jeff rescheduled a later discussion with Jeff, which was spliced near the end of the original recording.]

Decades of Horror 1980s Episode 270 – The Blob (1988)

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Gruesome Magazine is partnering with the WICKED HORROR TV CHANNEL (https://wickedhorrortv.com/) which now includes video episodes of Decades of Horror 1980s and is available on Roku, AppleTV, Amazon FireTV, AndroidTV, and its online website across all OTT platforms, as well as mobile, tablet, and desktop.

Synopsis: A deadly entity from space crash-lands near a small town and begins consuming everyone in its path. Panic ensues as shady government scientists try to contain the horrific creature.

• Directed by: Chuck Russell
• Writing Credits:Chuck Russell & Frank Darabont (screenplay)
  • 1958 Version: Theodore Simonson and Kay Linaker (as Kate Phillips) (screenplay); Irvine H. Millgate (story)
• Produced by: Jack H. Harris & Elliott Kastner
• Cinematography by: Mark Irwin
• Make up effects designed and created by: Tony Gardner
• Creature effects designed and created by:Lyle Conway
  • Selected crew members:
    • Jeffrey S. Farley (creature effects crew)
    • Ralph Miller III (blob mechanic: blob effects crew)
• Special visual effects by: Dream Quest Images
• Visual effects supervisor: Hoyt Yeatman
• Selected Cast:
  • Kevin Dillon as Brian Flagg
  • Shawnee Smith as Meg Penny
  • Donovan Leitch Jr. as Paul Taylor (as Donovan Leitch)
  • Jeffrey DeMunn as Sheriff Herb Geller
  • Candy Clark as Fran Hewitt
  • Joe Seneca as Dr. Meddows
  • Del Close as Reverend Meeker
  • Paul McCrane as Deputy Bill Briggs
  • Sharon Spelman as Mrs. Penny
  • Beau Billingslea as Moss Woodley
  • Art LaFleur as Pharmacist / Mr. Penny
  • Ricky Paull Goldin as Scott Jeske
  • Robert Axelrod as Jennings
  • Bill Moseley as Soldier #2 (in sewer)
  • Frank Collison as Hobbe
  • Michael Kenworthy as Kevin Penny
  • Jack Rader as Col. Hargis
  • Billy Beck as Can Man
  • Jack Nance as Doctor
  • Erika Eleniak as Vicki De Soto
  • Jacquelyn Masche as White Suit #2
  • Julie McCullough as Susie
  • Daryl Sandy Marsh as Lance (as Daryl Marsh)
  • Richard Anthony Crenna as Soldier Outside Town Hall (as Richard Crenna Jr.)
  • Pons Maar as Theatre Manager
  • Portia Griffin as Gospel Singer

First, there was the original The Blob (1958), covered by Decades of Horror: The Classic Era #123. After that, there was the sequel, Beware! The Blob (1972), braved by the Grue Crew in Decades of Horror 1970s #63. Then came The Blob (1988), an updated retelling of the original as imagined by Frank Darabont and Chuck Russell and discussed by a previous 80s Grue Crew in Decades of Horror 1980s #126.

Finally, the current 80s Grue Crew, having some contacts in the effects community, decided to do a deeper dive into The Blob (1988) with a focus on the film's effects work and enlisted the aid of effects artists Jeffrey S. Farley and Ralph Miller III who worked on Lyle Conway's blob crew. Ralph shares several mechanical devices used for blob manipulation and stories of the hard work put into the film. Jeff focuses on his work on The Blob, occasionally wandering to other aspects of his career, including Abruptio, his current release.

At the time of this writing, The Blob (1988) is available to stream from Peacock, Paramount+, PlutoTV, and multiple PPV sources. It is also available on physical media as a Limited Edition Steelbook 4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray and as a Collector's Edition [4K UHD] from Scream Factory.

Every two weeks, Gruesome Magazine's Decades of Horror 1980s podcast will cover another horror film from the 1980s. The next episode's film, chosen by Bill, will be Cannibal Ferox (1981), directed by Umberto Lenzi with special effects by Gino De Rossi. Yup. It must be time for a film initially banned in 31 countries.

Please let them know how they're doing! They want to hear from you – the coolest, grooviest fans – so leave them a message or comment on the Gruesome Magazine Youtube channel, on the Gruesome Magazine website, or email the Decades of Horror 1980s podcast hosts at [email protected].

"The face of evil is ugly to look upon. And as the pleasures increase, the face becomes uglier." So, the ugliness of the evil face is proportional to the pleasures? Join your faithful Grue Crew – Doc Rotten, Bill Mulligan, Jeff Mohr, and guest Dirk Rogers – as they mix it up with the Amicus version of Jekyll & Hyden known as I, Monster (1971).

Decades of Horror 1970s Episode 226 – I, Monster (1971)

Join the Crew on the Gruesome Magazine YouTube channel! Subscribe today! And click the alert to get notified of new content! https://youtube.com/gruesomemagazine

Decades of Horror 1970s is partnering with the WICKED HORROR TV CHANNEL (https://wickedhorrortv.com/) which now includes video episodes of the podcast and is available on Roku, AppleTV, Amazon FireTV, AndroidTV, and its online website across all OTT platforms, as well as mobile, tablet, and desktop.

19th-century London psychologist Charles Marlowe experiments with a mind-altering drug. He develops a malevolent alter ego, Edward Blake, whom his friend Utterson suspects of blackmailing Marlowe.

• Directed by: Stephen Weeks
• Writing Credits: Milton Subotsky (screenplay); Robert Louis Stevenson (from his 1886 novella "Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde")
• Selected Cast:
  • Christopher Lee as Dr. Charles Marlowe / Edward Blake
  • Peter Cushing as Frederick Utterson
  • Mike Raven as Enfield
  • Richard Hurndall as Lanyon
  • George Merritt as Poole
  • Kenneth J. Warren as Deane
  • Susan Jameson as Diane
  • Marjie Lawrence as Annie
  • Aimée Delamain as Landlady (as Aimee Delamain)
  • Michael Des Barres as Boy in Alley
  • Jim Brady as Pub Patron (uncredited)
  • Chloe Franks as Girl in Alley (uncredited)
  • Lesley Judd as Woman in Alley (uncredited)
  • Ian McCulloch as Man At Bar (uncredited)
  • Reg Thomason as Man in Pub (uncredited)
  • Fred Wood as Pipe Smoker (with Cap) in Pub (uncredited)

Robert Louis Stevenson's "Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde" (1886) by any other name would still be a Jekyll/Hyde story. In the case of this Amicus production, the other name is I, Monster (1971), and it's a Marlowe/Blake story. It's always a pleasure to see Christopher Lee and Peter Cushing working together and Doctor Who fans will recognize Richard Hurndall.

The 70s Grue Crew – joined for this episode by Dirk Rogers, special effects artist and suit actor – are split on how good or bad I, Monster is. "Vive la différence!" is the Decades of Horror credo, and despite their "différence," they have a great time discussing this film.

At the time of this writing, I, Monster (1971) is available to stream from the Classic Horror Movie Channel and Wicked Horror TV.

Gruesome Magazine's Decades of Horror 1970s is part of the Decades of Horror two-week rotation with The Classic Era and the 1980s. In two weeks, the next episode, chosen by Jeff, will be The Stone Tape (1972), a BBC TV production written by Nigel Kneale and directed by Peter Sasdy. Ready for a good British ghost story?

We want to hear from you – the coolest, grooviest fans: comment on the site or email the Decades of Horror 1970s podcast hosts at [email protected].

"You mean to tell me that an ordinary domestic cat is terrorizing three grown-ups?" Well, yes. Is that surprising? Join this episode's Grue-Crew – Daphne Monary-Ernsdorff, Jeff Mohr, and guests Bill Mulligan and Michael Zatz – as they follow the cat everyone worries about in BHP Production's The Shadow of the Cat (1961). Pssst! It's really a Hammer Film. Really.

Decades of Horror: The Classic Era Episode 188 – The Shadow of the Cat (1961)

Join the Crew on the Gruesome Magazine YouTube channel! Subscribe today! And click the alert to get notified of new content! https://youtube.com/gruesomemagazine

ANNOUNCEMENT Decades of Horror The Classic Era is partnering with THE CLASSIC SCI-FI MOVIE CHANNEL, THE CLASSIC HORROR MOVIE CHANNEL, and WICKED HORROR TV CHANNEL Which all now include video episodes of The Classic Era! Available on Roku, AppleTV, Amazon FireTV, AndroidTV, Online Website. Across All OTT platforms, as well as mobile, tablet, and desktop. https://classicscifichannel.com/; https://classichorrorchannel.com/; https://wickedhorrortv.com/

A house cat sees her mistress murdered. The cat becomes ferociously bent on revenge while the murderers try to kill her, the only witness.

• Directed by: John Gilling
• Writing Credits: George Baxt
• Production Design by: Bernard Robinson
• Music by: Mikis Theodorakis
• Cinematography by: Arthur Grant (director of photography)
• Selected Cast:
  • André Morell as Walter Venable (as Andre Morell)
  • Barbara Shelley as Beth Venable
  • William Lucas as Jacob Venable
  • Freda Jackson as Clara
  • Conrad Phillips as Michael Latimer
  • Richard Warner as Edgar Venable
  • Vanda Godsell as Louise Venable
  • Alan Wheatley as Inspector Rowles
  • Andrew Crawford as Andrew
  • Kynaston Reeves as The Grandfather
  • Catherine Lacey as Ella Venable
  • Henry Kendall as The Doctor (uncredited)

Even though The Shadow of the Cat (1961) is never identified on screen as a Hammer Film (B.H.P. Productions is credited), it is most definitely Hammer! All the ingredients are there: it's filmed at Bray Studios, most of the cast and crew are Hammer regulars, and Hammer handles the money management. The one obvious exception is the presence of Hammer's standard bright red Kensington Gore (the film is shot in black and white). The presence of the wonderful Barbara Shelley and a menacing André Morell seal the deal.

Much to our dismay, Doc and Chad are absent-with-leave. In their stead, Daphne and Jeff are joined by Bill "Cats 'r' Us" Mulligan and Michael "The Shadow of the" Zatz. Let the feline shenanigans begin!

At the time of this writing, The Shadow of the Cat (1961) is available on physical media as a Blu-ray formatted disc in Scream Factory's "Universal Horror Collection: Volume 6" along with The Black Castle (1952), Cult of the Cobra (1955), and The Thing Couldn't Die (1958).

Gruesome Magazine's Decades of Horror: The Classic Era records a new episode every two weeks. Next in their very flexible schedule – this one chosen by Daphne – is The Flesh and the Fiends (1960), directed by John Gilling and featuring Peter Cushing, Donald Pleasence, George Rose, and Billie Whitelaw. Ah, yes. Burke and Hare strike again!

Please let them know how they're doing! They want to hear from you – the coolest, grooviest fans: leave them a message or leave a comment on the Gruesome Magazine YouTube channel, the site, or email the Decades of Horror: The Classic Era podcast hosts at [email protected]

To each of you from each of them, "Thank you so much for watching and listening!"

"Dance with me, you little toad." Okay, but could we have a safe word, just in case? Join your faithful Grue Crew – Crystal Cleveland, Chad Hunt, Bill Mulligan, and Jeff Mohr – as they discuss Ghost Story (1981), the film made from Peter Straub's bestselling novel starring five Hollywood legends.

Decades of Horror 1980s Episode 269 – Ghost Story (1981)

Join the Crew on the Gruesome Magazine YouTube channel! Subscribe today! Click the alert to get notified of new content! https://youtube.com/gruesomemagazine

Gruesome Magazine is partnering with the WICKED HORROR TV CHANNEL (https://wickedhorrortv.com/) which now includes video episodes of Decades of Horror 1980s and is available on Roku, AppleTV, Amazon FireTV, AndroidTV, and its online website across all OTT platforms, as well as mobile, tablet, and desktop.

Two generations of men find themselves haunted by the presence of a spectral woman. When the son of one of the elderly men returns to his hometown after his brother's mysterious death, they attempt to unravel her story.

• Directed by: John Irvin
• Writing Credits: Lawrence D. Cohen (screenplay by); Peter Straub (based on the 1979 novel by)
• Music by: Philippe Sarde
• Cinematography by: Jack Cardiff (director of photography)
• Editing by: Tom Rolf
• Costume Design by: May Routh
• Production Design/Art Direction by: Norman Newberry
• Makeup Department:
  • Dick Smith (make-up illusions by)
  • Rick Baker (special makeup effects artist)
  • Carl Fullerton (special makeup effects artist)
• Visual Effects by:
  • Albert Whitlock (special visual effects)
  • Syd Dutton (matte artist)
  • Dennis Glouner (matte photographer)
  • Bill Taylor (matte photographer)
  • Henry Schoessler (matte crew) (uncredited)
  • Susan Turner (visual effects) (uncredited)
• Stunts (selected): Glenn Randall Jr. (stunt coordinator); Dick Warlock (stunts)
• Selected Cast:
  • Fred Astaire as Ricky Hawthorne
  • Melvyn Douglas as John Jaffrey
  • Douglas Fairbanks Jr. as Edward Wanderley
  • John Houseman as Sears James
  • Craig Wasson as Don / David
  • Patricia Neal as Stella
  • Alice Krige as Alma / Eva
  • Jacqueline Brookes as Milly
  • Miguel Fernandes qs Gregory Bate
  • Lance Holcomb as Fenny Bate
  • Mark Chamberlin as Young John Jaffrey
  • Tim Choate as Young Ricky Hawthorne
  • Kurt Johnson as Young Edward Wanderley
  • Ken Olin as Young Sears James
  • Brad Sullivan as Sheriff Hardesty
  • Robin Curtis as Rea Dedham
  • Breon Gorman as Nettie Dedham
  • James Greene as Mailman
  • Cagle D. Green as Eva's Apparition
  • Kyra Carleton as Eva's Apparition
  • Alfred Curven as Man in Coffin

Our apologies to the Grue-Believers expecting Without Warning (1980), but Ghost Story (1981) is a film the Grue-Crew have been keeping their collective eyes on for a few years, patiently waiting for it to move from PPV to a subscription service. Rest assured, Without Warning is already rescheduled to record in late November 2024.

Ghost Story's cast and crew sports eight Oscar winners plus several nominees, and yet, the Grue-Crew are divided in their appreciation. Compromises and sacrifices must be made when transforming a 500-page, complexly plotted novel into a two-hour movie, and the results are hit-and-miss. Despite its faults, it's a remarkable film, and the crew has much to discuss.

At the time of this writing, Ghost Story is available to stream from Amazon Prime (for a short time) and multiple PPV sources. It is also available on physical media as a Blu-ray formatted disc from Scream Factory.

Every two weeks, Gruesome Magazine's Decades of Horror 1980s podcast will cover another horror film from the 1980s. The next episode's film, chosen by Jeff, will be The Blob (1988)! Classic Era covered the original 1958 version, and a previous 80s crew covered this version in episode 126 almost seven years ago. This time, the current 80s Grue-Crew will be joined by effects artists Ralph Miller and Jeff Farley, who both worked on the film. This is going to be fun!

Please let them know how they're doing! They want to hear from you – the coolest, grooviest fans – so leave them a message or comment on the Gruesome Magazine Youtube channel, on the Gruesome Magazine website, or email the Decades of Horror 1980s podcast hosts at [email protected].

Tagged Albert Whitlock, Alice Krige, Bill Taylor, Craig Wasson, Dick Smith, Dick Warlock, Douglas Fairbanks Jr., Fred Astaire, Ghost Story, Jack Cardiff, john houseman, John Irvin, Ken Olin, Lawrence D. Cohen, May Routh, Melvyn Douglas, Norman Newberry, Patricia Neal, Peter Straub, Philippe Sarde, Rick Baker, Tom Rolf

"I find you very attractive, but this stroll is becoming rather boring." According to some, that might be a good description of this film. Join your faithful Grue Crew – Doc Rotten, Bill Mulligan, Chad Hunt, and Jeff Mohr – as they feast on Vampyres (1974), an Amicus production.

Decades of Horror 1970s Episode 225 – Vampyres (1974)

Join the Crew on the Gruesome Magazine YouTube channel! Subscribe today! And click the alert to get notified of new content! https://youtube.com/gruesomemagazine

Decades of Horror 1970s is partnering with the WICKED HORROR TV CHANNEL (https://wickedhorrortv.com/) which now includes video episodes of the podcast and is available on Roku, AppleTV, Amazon FireTV, AndroidTV, and its online website across all OTT platforms, as well as mobile, tablet, and desktop.

A pair of women lure passers-by to their countryside mansion to feed on them to satisfy their need for blood.

• Directed by: José Ramón Larraz (as Joseph Larraz)
• Writing Credits: Diana Daubeney (screenplay) (as D. Daubeney); José Ramón Larraz (uncredited); Thomas Owen (story) (uncredited)
• Selected Cast:
  • Marianne Morris as Fran
  • Anulka Dziubinska as Miriam (as Anulka)
  • Murray Brown as Ted
  • Brian Deacon as John
  • Sally Faulkner as Harriet
  • Michael Byrne as Playboy
  • Karl Lanchbury as Rupert
  • Margaret Heald as Receptionist
  • Douglas Jones as Managervam
  • Gerald Case as Estate Agent
  • Bessie Love as American Lady
  • Elliott Sullivan as American Man

In this episode, the boys tackle José Ramón Larraz's Vampyres (1974). These are not your usual vampires, which explains the "y"… maybe. Released three years after, and paying slight homage to, Daughters of Darkness (a much better lesbian vampire film), Vampyres looks great but is definitely less filling. Even so, the Grue-Crew have somewhat mixed reactions. It all depends on how much you appreciate the visuals versus how bored you are with long strolls. And by "appreciate the visuals," of course, they are referring to the cinematography.

At the time of this writing, Vampyres (1974) is available to stream from the Classic Horror Movie Channel, Wicked Horror TV, Tubi, Arrow, Flix Fling, and several PPV options. It's available on physical media as a Blu-ray from Arrow Video in Blood Hunger: The Films Of Jose Larraz, along with Whirlpool (1970) and The Coming of Sin (1978).

Gruesome Magazine's Decades of Horror 1970s is part of the Decades of Horror two-week rotation with The Classic Era and the 1980s. In two weeks, the next episode, chosen by Doc, will be I, Monster (1971), an Amicus production starring Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee in Milton Subotsky's version of a Jekyll/Hyde-based story. Only the names have been changed.

We want to hear from you – the coolest, grooviest fans: comment on the site or email the Decades of Horror 1970s podcast hosts at [email protected].

"I'm steaming. I'm steaming. I'm… I'm so exaggerated! I'm mad at that princess. The only girl I ever loved and now she and them street slobs are going to steal a million clams from them folks and they didn't even invite me. " Eric von Zipper has a way with words, doesn't he? Join this episode's Grue-Crew – Doc Rotten, Chad Hunt, Jeff Mohr, and guest Dirk Rogers – as they check out one of the last of AIP's beach party movies, The Ghost in the Invisible Bikini (1966).

Decades of Horror: The Classic Era Episode 187 – The Ghost in the Invisible Bikini (1966)

Join the Crew on the Gruesome Magazine YouTube channel! Subscribe today! And click the alert to get notified of new content! https://youtube.com/gruesomemagazine

ANNOUNCEMENT Decades of Horror The Classic Era is partnering with THE CLASSIC SCI-FI MOVIE CHANNEL, THE CLASSIC HORROR MOVIE CHANNEL, and WICKED HORROR TV CHANNEL Which all now include video episodes of The Classic Era! Available on Roku, AppleTV, Amazon FireTV, AndroidTV, Online Website. Across All OTT platforms, as well as mobile, tablet, and desktop. https://classicscifichannel.com/; https://classichorrorchannel.com/; https://wickedhorrortv.com/

A corpse has 24 hours to mastermind a good deed without leaving his crypt, to go "up there" and have his youth restored.

• Directed by: Don Weis
• Writing Credits: Louis M. Heyward and Elwood Ullman
• Selected Cast:
  • Tommy Kirk as Chuck Phillips
  • Deborah Walley as Lili Morton
  • Aron Kincaid as Bobby
  • Quinn O'Hara as Sinistra
  • Jesse White as J. Sinister Hulk
  • Harvey Lembeck as Eric Von Zipper
  • The Rat Pack
    • Andy Romano as J.D.
    • Alberta Nelson as Puss
    • Myrna Ross as Boots
    • Jerry Brutsche as Jerome
    • Bob Harvey as Bobby
    • Sam Page as Chauncey
    • John Macchia as Joey
    • Allen Fife as Beard
  • Basil Rathbone as Reginald Ripper
  • Patsy Kelly as Myrtle Forbush
  • Boris Karloff as The Corpse
  • Susan Hart as The Ghost
  • Nancy Sinatra as Vicki
  • Claudia Martin as Lulu
  • Francis X. Bushman as Malcolm
  • Benny Rubin as Chicken Feather
  • Bobbie Shaw Chance as Princess Yolanda (as Bobbi Shaw)
  • George Barrows as Monstro the Gorilla
  • Piccola Pupa as Piccola
  • Luree Holmes as Luree
  • Ed Garner as Ed
  • Frank Alesia as Frank
  • Mary Hughes as Mary
  • Salli Sachse as Salli
  • Patti Chandler as Patti
  • Sue Hamilton as Sue
  • The Bobby Fuller Four as Themselves (Bobby Fuller, Randy Fuller, DeWayne Quirico, Jim Reese)
  • Elena Andreas as Statue (uncredited)
  • Herb Andress as Statue (uncredited)
  • Philip Bent as Beach Boy (uncredited)
  • Gary Daily as Boy in Blue and White Trunks (uncredited)
  • Bobbi McCall as Girl in Blue Bikini (uncredited)
  • Christopher Riordan as Beach Boy (uncredited)

The Grue-Crew and guest host Dirk Rogers take a trip to the beach with one of the last of the Beach Party movies. Wait, what? There's no beach? No ocean? No surfing? And AIP disliked the product so much that they added Boris Karloff and the whole ghost-in-the-invisible-bikini schtick after the fact?

Well, The Ghost in the Invisible Bikini (1966) makes for a nice title. Let's face it. It's a bad movie. It's even a dumb movie. But it can be a fun movie, especially if you love the lame, teen music numbers inserted throughout the film as much as the Grue-Crew do. And even if you despise the music (yeah, the Grue-Crew didn't like it either – except Doc, of course), you can have fun with this flick.

With Deborah Walley and Tommy Kirk (subbing for Annette and Frankie), Basil Rathbone, Patsy Kelly, Harvey Lembeck (Eric von Zipper!), Jesse White, and Nancy Sinatra, there's always something to watch. Think "the Three Stooges in an old dark house."

At the time of this writing, The Ghost in the Invisible Bikini (1966) is available to stream from MGM+, Amazon Prime, and several PPV options.

Gruesome Magazine's Decades of Horror: The Classic Era records a new episode every two weeks. Next in their very flexible schedule – this one chosen by Jeff – is The Shadow of the Cat (1961), a Hammer Film directed by John Gillin, featuring Barbara Shelley and André Morell, recently released as part of Scream Factory's Universal Horror Collection Vol. 6!

Please let them know how they're doing! They want to hear from you – the coolest, grooviest fans: leave them a message or leave a comment on the Gruesome Magazine YouTube channel, the site, or email the Decades of Horror: The Classic Era podcast hosts at [email protected]

To each of you from each of them, "Thank you so much for watching and listening!"

"The killer's comin'! The killer's gonna get you!" Ah, yes, the childhood game everyone played. Join your faithful Grue Crew – Crystal Cleveland, Chad Hunt, Bill Mulligan, and Jeff Mohr – as they discover who wins and loses in Prom Night (1980).

Decades of Horror 1980s Episode 268 – Prom Night (1980)

Join the Crew on the Gruesome Magazine YouTube channel! Subscribe today! Click the alert to get notified of new content! https://youtube.com/gruesomemagazine

Gruesome Magazine is partnering with the WICKED HORROR TV CHANNEL (https://wickedhorrortv.com/) which now includes video episodes of Decades of Horror 1980s and is available on Roku, AppleTV, Amazon FireTV, AndroidTV, and its online website across all OTT platforms, as well as mobile, tablet, and desktop.

At a high school senior prom, a masked killer stalks four teenagers who were responsible for the accidental death of a classmate six years previously.

• Directed by: Paul Lynch
• Writing Credits: William Gray (screenplay); Robert Guza Jr. (from a story by)
• Music by: Paul Zaza, Carl Zittrer
• Cinematography by: Robert C. New (director of photography)
• Selected Cast:
  • Leslie Nielsen as Mr. Hammond
  • Jamie Lee Curtis as Kimberly Hammond
  • Casey Stevens as Nick McBride
  • Anne-Marie Martin as Wendy Richards (as Eddie Benton)
  • Antoinette Bower as Mrs. Hammond
  • Michael Tough as Alex Hammond
  • Robert A. Silverman as Mr. Sykes (as Robert Silverman)
  • Pita Oliver as Vicki
  • David Mucci as Lou Farmer
  • Jeff Wincott as Drew Shinnick
  • Mary Beth Rubens as Kelly Lynch (as Marybeth Rubens)
  • George Touliatos as Lt. McBride
  • Melanie Morse MacQuarrie as Henri-Anne
  • David Gardner as Dr. Fairchild
  • Joy Thompson as Jude Cunningham
  • Sheldon Rybowski as Seymour 'Slick' Crane
  • Rob Garrison as Sayer
  • David Bolt as Weller
  • Beth Amos as Housekeeper
  • Sonia Zimmer as Melanie
  • Sylvia Martin as Mrs. Cunningham
  • Elizabeth M. Mason as Adele (as Liz Stalker-Mason)
  • Pam Henry as Car Hop
  • Ardon Bess as Teacher
  • Lee Wildgen as Gang Member
  • Brock Simpson as Young Nick
  • Leslie Scott as Young Wendy
  • Tammy Bourne as Young Robin
  • Dean Bosacki as Young Alex
  • Debbie Greenfield as Young Kim
  • Karen Forbes as Young Jude
  • Joyce Kite as Young Kelly

Prom Night (1980) is one of six horror films in which Jamie Lee Curtis appeared over a three-year span from 1978 to 1981 and the last covered by the Grue-Crew. Three John Carpenter films (Halloween, The Fog, Halloween II) and Prom Night are joined by Road Games and Terror Train.

Prom Night is not the best of Curtis's 1978-1981 six-pack of horror movies (does that go without saying?), but is it the worst? Leslie Nielsen, soon to go through his transformation to a standout comedic actor, has little to do as Curtis's character's father and the school's principal. There's also the student body providing fodder for the killer, the creepy kids that set the whole thing in motion fifteen years earlier, and athe disco music and dancing. Don't worry. The Grue Crew will give you the straight poop.

At the time of this writing, Prom Night is available to stream from Shudder, Amazon Prime, Peacock, Hoopla, Kanopy, Tubi, PlutoTV, and Freevee. It is also available on physical media as a Blu-ray formatted disc from Synapse Films.

Every two weeks, Gruesome Magazine's Decades of Horror 1980s podcast will cover another horror film from the 1980s. The next episode's film, chosen by Chad, will be Ghost Story (1981), based on Peter Straub's 1979 novel! The Grue-Crew has been wanting to do this one for a long time! If you heard them announce Without Warning (1980) on the podcast, they apologize for the change, but it is on the schedule for November. Be patient, fellow babies.

Please let them know how they're doing! They want to hear from you – the coolest, grooviest fans – so leave them a message or comment on the Gruesome Magazine Youtube channel, on the Gruesome Magazine website, or email the Decades of Horror 1980s podcast hosts at [email protected].

"Wild dogs got themselves a taste of human blood! Ain't nobody gonna be safe out on the island! We get together, or they wipe out the island! You go call the sheriff!" And you know who the sheriff is, right? Join your faithful Grue Crew – Doc Rotten, Bill Mulligan, Chad Hunt, and Jeff Mohr – as they head south for some lycanthropic shenanigans with Moon of the Wolf (1972).

Decades of Horror 1970s Episode 224 – Moon of the Wolf (1972)

Join the Crew on the Gruesome Magazine YouTube channel! Subscribe today! And click the alert to get notified of new content! https://youtube.com/gruesomemagazine

Decades of Horror 1970s is partnering with the WICKED HORROR TV CHANNEL (https://wickedhorrortv.com/) which now includes video episodes of the podcast and is available on Roku, AppleTV, Amazon FireTV, AndroidTV, and its online website across all OTT platforms, as well as mobile, tablet, and desktop.

After several locals are viciously murdered, a Louisiana sheriff starts to suspect he may be dealing with a werewolf.

• Directed by: Daniel Petrie
• Writing Credits: Alvin Sapinsley (teleplay); Les Whitten (novel) (as Leslie H. Whitten)
• Makeup Department: Thomas Tuttle (as Tom Tuttle), William Tuttle
• Selected Cast:
  • David Janssen as Sheriff Aaron Whitaker
  • Barbara Rush as Louise Rodanthe
  • Bradford Dillman as Andrew Rodanthe
  • John Beradino as Dr. Druten
  • Geoffrey Lewis as Lawrence
  • Royal Dano as Tom Sr.
  • John Davis Chandler as Tom Jr. (as John Chandler)
  • Claudia McNeil as Sara
  • Paul R. DeVille as Hugh
  • Dan Priest as Sam
  • Robert Phillips as Deputy
  • Serena Sande as Nurse
  • George Sawaya as Attendant
  • Dick Crockett as Attendant
  • Sonny Klein as Harry
  • Emery Hollier as Rev. Biggers (as Emory Hollier)
  • Teddy Airhart as DeWitt (as Teddy Airhart Jr.)

The Grue-Crew go a-hunting in the land of TV horror in this episode and encounter Moon of the Wolf (1972). This surprisingly good TV movie features a pack (yes, I said it) of good character actors with an equally good crew. Can you uncover the culprit in this Southern Gothic whodunit? Is it David Janssen of The Fugitive fame? Maybe Bradford Dillman (Bug, Piranha)? Could it be Barbara Bush (When Worlds Collide, It Came from Outer Space)? John Berardino, Geoffrey Lewis, and Royal Dano are also lurking about. And, of course, the Grue-Crew often distract themselves with tangentials in this talkabout.

At the time of this writing, Moon of the Wolf (1972) is available to stream from Hoopla and Tubi. It's available on physical media as a Blu-ray from the Vinegar Syndrome Archive Collection.

Gruesome Magazine's Decades of Horror 1970s is part of the Decades of Horror two-week rotation with The Classic Era and the 1980s. In two weeks, the next episode, chosen by Bill, will be José Ramón Larraz's Vampyres (1974). The Grue-Crew loves them some vampyres with a "y!"

We want to hear from you – the coolest, grooviest fans: comment on the site or email the Decades of Horror 1970s podcast hosts at [email protected].

"When the rest of the world has been destroyed, we will be the only normal thinking persons left." Heck, that's already true. Right, Grue-Believers? Join this episode's Grue-Crew – Daphne Monary-Ernsdorff, Chad Hunt, Doc Rotten, and Jeff Mohr – as they check out an underappreciated low-budget horror, The Werewolf (1956).

Decades of Horror: The Classic Era Episode 186 – The Werewolf (1956)

Join the Crew on the Gruesome Magazine YouTube channel! Subscribe today! And click the alert to get notified of new content! https://youtube.com/gruesomemagazine

ANNOUNCEMENT Decades of Horror The Classic Era is partnering with THE CLASSIC SCI-FI MOVIE CHANNEL, THE CLASSIC HORROR MOVIE CHANNEL, and WICKED HORROR TV CHANNEL Which all now include video episodes of The Classic Era! Available on Roku, AppleTV, Amazon FireTV, AndroidTV, Online Website. Across All OTT platforms, as well as mobile, tablet, and desktop. https://classicscifichannel.com/; https://classichorrorchannel.com/; https://wickedhorrortv.com/

Two scientists receive an unconscious man who has been in a car accident. In their lab, they inject him with a serum they've been working with. Sadly, the serum turns the man into a murderous werewolf.

• Directed by: Fred F. Sears
• Writing Credits: Robert E. Kent & James B. Gordon
• Produced by: Sam Katzman
• Cinematography by: Edward Linden (director of photography)
• Makeup Dept: Clay Campbell (makeup artist) (uncredited)
• Selected Cast:
  • Steven Ritch as The Werewolf / Duncan Marsh
  • Don Megowan as Sheriff Jack Haines
  • Joyce Holden as Amy Standish
  • Eleanore Tanin as Mrs. Helen Marsh
  • Kim Charney as Chris Marsh
  • Harry Lauter as Deputy Ben Clovey
  • Larry J. Blake as Hank Durgis
  • Ken Christy as Dr. Jonas Gilcrist
  • James Gavin as Mack Fanning
  • S. John Launer as Dr. Emery Forrest
  • George Lynn as Dr. Morgan Chambers (credited as George M. Lynn)
  • George Cisar as Hoxie
  • Don C. Harvey as Deputy (uncredited)
  • Jean Harvey as Ma Everett (uncredited)
  • Charles Horvath as Joe Mitchell (uncredited)
  • Fred F. Sears as Narrator (voice) (uncredited)

Low-budget films driven by fads were the forte of producer Sam Katzman (Rock Around the Clock, 1956). Pair that with director Fred F. Sears (Earth vs. the Flying Saucers, 1956), who is known for bringing films in on time and under budget. Now add Clay Campbell, makeup artist for The Return of the Vampire (1943); Don Megowan, the on-land Gill-Man in The Creature Walks Among Us (1956); and a cast filled with extraordinary character actors, and you get The Werewolf (1956), a surprisingly good science fiction version of lycanthropy! The Grue-Crew had great fun in their talkabout of this lesser-known werewolf film that preceded I Was a Teenage Werewolf (1957).

At the time of this writing, The Werewolf (1956) is available to stream from Tubi and PPV from Amazon and AppleTV. It's also available on physical media as one of 4 films included in Cold War Creatures: Four Films from Sam Katzman (4-Disc Standard Special Edition) [Blu-ray] from Arrow Video. The other films included are Creature with the Atom Brain (1955), Zombies of Mora Tau (1957), and The Giant Claw (1957).

Gruesome Magazine's Decades of Horror: The Classic Era records a new episode every two weeks. Next in their very flexible schedule – this one chosen by Doc – is The Ghost in the Invisible Bikini (1966)! Yes, the last of the Beach Party movies starring Deborah Walley, Tommy Kirk, and a bit of Basil Rathbone and Boris Karloff. Eric von Zipper, anyone?

Please let them know how they're doing! They want to hear from you – the coolest, grooviest fans: leave them a message or leave a comment on the Gruesome Magazine YouTube channel, the site, or email the Decades of Horror: The Classic Era podcast hosts at [email protected]

To each of you from each of them, "Thank you so much for watching and listening!"